Page 106 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

“I am not ready to talk,” I said without even looking at my new company.

“Good thing I am not here to talk,” the voice exclaimed, forcing my eye onto the owner.

“Caleb?” I yelped in disbelief. “Dear Gods, I thought I would never see you again.” I walked towards him as a small smile covered my face. “We thought the Wurdulacs captured you.”

Caleb smiled. “Who said they didn’t?” He chuckled, hitting me across my face, making my world go black.

Chapter 41

Glass of Water

My lungs expanded taking in the mold and coldness of my surroundings. I counted every drop of water that hit the cold stone floor in a loud splash, trying to concentrate on anything but the pain that rang through my body.

As though church bells settled down in my head, the ringing did not stop, turning every noise into excruciating pain.

Nausea made its way up my throat, locking my jaw numb and I forced my body to turn to the side, emptying my stomach.

My heart raced, my lungs were desperate for fresh air, yet all I got was this cold, raw smell of dirt. I closed my eyes, laying back down on the cold stone, counting the water drops once again.

Will Francis notice my absence? Will he even care to search for me? Where am I?

Panic made its way through my mind, yet the pain shut it down immediately, refusing me the ability to think clearly.

I had to figure out where I was, I had to find my way out, I had to stay awake. “Awake,” I mumbled, as my consciousness slowly left me.

I woke from the feeling of dozens of creatures crawling down my flesh. My hands flew toward my skin, brushing off the spiders that were making their way around my unconscious body. A nervous gasp escaped my lips.

The spiders rushed toward the tiny drain hole in the middle of the—where was I? My gaze fell down onto the metal bars that went from one wall to the other. Panic rushed through my veins, flashing into my mind.My dear Gods.

My eyes flew through the cell, trying to make any sense of my thoughts, until something shimmering caught my gaze. I made my way toward the bars; my hands grabbing the object.

“No,” I gasped, dropping the hair pin as though it was hot metal. Sandra’s hair pin. “No, no, no.”

The sound of a creaking pair of heavy boots made its way toward me. I crawled away from the bars until my back hit the stone wall.

Unable to blink, I stared into the space behind the bars, waiting for whatever was coming next. A pair of brown eyes met mine.

A heavy silence fell upon us, depriving me of the ability to take a breath, as though the air was sucked out of the cell the moment Caleb made his presence known. He sighed, offering me a glass of clear liquid.

“What is this?” I heard my own voice, yet did not recognize it one bit.

“Water.”

“Water?” I wanted to scream in disbelief. “Where am I?” I asked, already guessing the answer.