Page 46 of The Vampire Curse

I push off the bed, my legs weak with anticipation. Striking a match, I light the tallow candle beside the bed and kneel in front of my mostly empty trunk. I reach in and pull out the crumpled letter Alaric sent with the night-forged dagger, and smooth it out.

Keep this with you at all times.

I don’t understand why Alaric released me, but it still stings. He took the time to write this and wrap the dagger as some kind of parting gift, yet never bothered to say goodbye.

I clench the letter until my fingernails pierce the paper. Alaric lied to my face. When Kathrine’s letter arrived, he’d feigned surprise.

I push back the sudden sting of tears.I am an idiot.

I thought, despite everything, we were past lying to each other.

Holding the letter over the candle, I wait for it to catch. The edge glows red and turns black as the fire consumes it until each word of the single sentence is gone. I shake what's left of the paper, extinguishing the flame until only embers smolder. I let go, watching it flutter to the bottom of the trunk where nothing but a few flakes of black ash remain.

The faint lightening of the sky that precedes dawn edges the horizon.

I blow out the candle then cross to the armoire, pulling out a single outfit. My fingers shake with anticipation as I unfold the dark, doeskin trousers and matching blouse. I waste no time changing into them, then slip into my boots. Once I’m dressed, I slide the night-forged dagger into the side of the right one.

I look around the room. There is nothing here I care about, nothing I want, except for my book.

I grab the satchel that held my food on the way here and set my book on the bottom. Next, I go to the desk where a tray of bread and cheese with dried meats sits. One of the servants must have brought it up when I was sleeping. I wrap those in the cloth napkin then place them in the bag.

I don’t care about the necklaces and earrings Alaric had sent with me, but I pack those too—they will come in handy for trading for food and lodging. With that, I’m ready.

I stand with my hand hovering over the doorknob. I still don’t have more than a vague idea of what I’m going to do, or where I want to go, besides away from Littlemire. I could go west, or south… or east, toward Windbury.

Biting down on my lip, I cringe. I am free, and still, I think about returning to Alaric even though he'd ordered me to never return.

But anger slices again and again at my heart over his deception, clouding my judgment. I know it does, and I don’t care. I grab onto it, using it as an excuse.

I will give him a piece of my mind, then I will draw blood with this dagger—truly earning my freedom. This is what I want.It is.So why does it feel like I am trying to convince myself?

I push away the thoughts that threaten to distract me… the thoughts full of doubt.

Once I have earned closure with Alaric, I could head south, to Stormvale or north to Sangate.

It is a two, or three, day ride from here to Windbury. Kathrine will be upset if I leave before she gets back. I will never see my sister again. That thought hurts, but it can’t be helped.

I should leave a letter for her, but if I don’t leave now, I’m afraid I might find some excuse to put it off. I will already be taking one of the horses.

Stealing in the past has never bothered me before, but now it will look bad for Kathrine. Who wants to be known for having a thief in the family?

When I stop for the night, I’ll write a letter then send someone to deliver it and the horse.

It’s not a good plan, but it’s all I have. It’s brash and risky, but my mind will never be at peace if I don’t confront him. At least, that’s what I tell myself.

The room lightens as the sun climbs higher.

I pull open the door and stride out, moving fast and quiet through the halls until I’m outside, greeted by the first rays of morning light peeking over the horizon and the smell of frost on the air.

The wailing of demons lessens, retreating along with the shadows they are bound to.

Desperation crawls over my skin as I jog toward the stables, still keeping as silent as possible. They will wake soon, and I have to be gone before that happens.

I move through the stables. A few horses peek their heads out of their stalls as I pass, but I ignore them all and head for the one mare I know. I’m not an experienced rider, but the two of us are familiar with each other from spending the past month together.

I fumble with the saddle, the cold numbing my fingers, made worse by the sense of urgency building. Eventually, I manage to get the tack on the mare. I lead her out of her stall and to the open door of the stable before mounting.

Once seated, I take a deep breath and go over my plan one more time. I will confront Alaric for his deception, demand answers to my questions, thank him for what he’s done for Kathrine, and then… then I will go wherever my feet take me.