Page 52 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘I need to get some sleep,’ I say.

‘So sleep,’ he rumbles.

I wriggle off him. ‘The bed’s too small,’ I complain. ‘My back hurts sometimes now.’

His eyes open and train on my stomach. His massive hand comes up and cups the bump, and his wisp of a smile has me wishing I could stay.

Maybe I could. Maybe–

No, I want her to be a part of my life, and I don’t want her growing up as a human in Supeland. It’s too dangerous.

Instead, I step away from his hand as if I didn’t realize he was still touching me, and I yawn.

He sits up. ‘Okay, okay. I can take a hint. I’m going. You can have the bed to yourself, you greedy little human.’

He throws on his clothes and gives me a lingering, parting kiss that I hope I always remember.

‘Eat,’ I say as he leaves, and he grunts a response as he dematerializes through the wall.

As soon as he’s gone, I don’t waste any time, and I don’t let myself think … or feel. I jump in the shower and wash his scent off me. Then, I put on two pairs of leggings, a tank top, a sweater, and a sweatshirt over the top. I finish my hopefully-warm-enough-for-the-Alps-in-winter ensemble with some tennis shoes because that’s all I’ve got. I just hope it’s not snowy outside.

I take a deep breath and go to the edge of the room. I think of the outer kitchen door, praying that it lets me outside directly. I feel the cold before I see where I am, and I open my eyes slowly.

It worked.

I walk as lightly as I can on the gravel path, trying not to let the stones crunch beneath my shoes and hoping Tabitha isn’t paying attention because she could shut this plan down real quick if she notices I’m not in the fold.

When I get to the grass, I run across it, staying in the darkness, and I quickly sprint towards the maze.

At the entrance, I grimace, wishing I’d been able to get a flashlight, but as I enter, tiny blue lights appear at ground level so I can see where I’m going.

I grin in the darkness. ‘Thanks,’ I whisper.

The little blue orbs light my way until I get to the first bench. I settle myself down on it.

‘Did you miss me?’ I ask and get the feeling, like a tiny version of the connection I have with the demons, that the maze did miss me.

‘Me too.’ I sigh. ‘I wish I could stay, but I can’t. Don’t suppose you have another link key …’

I sit up straight with a gasp, feeling a sudden and inexplicable sense of danger wash over me. At first, I’m afraid that Murder Maze has turned against me, but then I see the silhouette of a figure in a dark coat or cloak down the path in front of me.

‘Who are you?’ I call out.

The shadow turns, and I realize that, until I spoke, whoever it was hadn’t known I was there.

I get to my feet, the maze somehow urging me to run, so I do. I sprint down the path, screaming loudly as another specter blocks my path.

A section of hedge careens into him from the side, and I hear a male yell as he’s smothered by it, and I can get past.

There’s a commotion behind me, and I don’t dare look back as I see the way out before me. But there are suddenly hedge sections in front of me and to the sides. I’m boxed in and starting to hyperventilate.

A voice whispers to me to be quiet, and I cover my mouth with my hands, breathing through my nose hard and hoping that whoever’s stalking me through the maze can't hear me.

I hear a voice and hold my breath, listening intently.

‘You said it would be easy,’ a low female voice complains.

‘I wasn’t told the maze was charmed!’ a male snarls. ‘Keep looking and remember we’re to take her alive.’