Page 103 of The Tracker's Revenge

Chapter 33

Iawoke by degrees. There was awhooshin my ears, and the inside of my nose stung as if with the cold air of winter. An orange glow pressed against my eyelids.

My eyes sprang open, then squeezed shut as light pierced through them like needles. I sat up, a hand pressed to my brow to shield me from the glow. Slowly, I peered between my fingers, letting my vision adjust to what appeared to be the warm glow of many candles.

Oh, thank God my senses are back!

Slowly, I took stock of my surroundings. I was lying on a large four-poster bed, covered with several thick blankets. The rest of the furniture was as imposing, and the walls were made of bare stone. There was a window on the far right and, from what I could see through the sheer curtains, it was nighttime. The place was entirely foreign, somewhere I’d never been.

I was alone, no one in sight. Not Rosalina, Jake, or Eric.

Throwing the covers off, I scooted to the edge of the bed. My feet dangled several inches from the floor. There was a plate with sliced fruit and a glass of water on the night table. I licked my dry lips, reached for the water, and was about to drink it when I remembered what had happened the last time.

Rosalina had given me something to make me sleep, surely to spare me from the anguish of not having my senses. It was always easier when I dozed off, but I really must’ve been in rough shape if she decided that was necessary. She’d never done that before.

Whatever the case, I didn’t need to sleep anymore.

I set the glass back down, and though the fruit was tempting, I didn’t touch it either. Maybe there was a bathroom where I could drink water from the tap. I glanced around. There was only one door, so I figured it must lead out of the room and not to any type of restroom.

On bare feet, I padded toward the door, then stopped when it abruptly opened, and Rosalina walked in. She wore a pair of jeans and a blouse I’d never seen before.

“Oh, good, you’re awake.” Her green eyes met mine. “I’m glad to see you all better.”

“I don’t know about better. I’ve got my senses back, but I feel weird.”

“It’s understandable after what you went through.”

I nodded as my gaze roved around the room. “Where are we?”

“In a safe place. No one will be able to follow us here. It’s protected by magic... Or so they tell me.” She smiled sheepishly.

“Where are Jake and Eric?”

“In the study, arguing.”

I rolled my eyes.

“What happened exactly?”

She opened her mouth to answer, but instead, rushed in my direction as my legs gave way under me. She caught me just in time and practically dragged me toward an armchair where she deposited me with a grunt.

“Witchlights!” she exclaimed. “I thought you were going to faint. You sure you’re all right?”