Chapter 39
D: Just checking in. First full day in the books.
N: Anything new today?
D: No, I didn’t even see him. I was too nervous to leave the room for long. Reminds me of another tower I was once kept in…
N: Hilarious.
D: Yours is prettier.
N: Don’t forget bigger, darling.
D: Whatever you say.
N: Good night, Devora.
D: So, I was thinking...
N: This ought to be good.
D: What if S knows I was behind the rescue mission? What if he’s biding his time, making me think I’m safe, but he’s slowly poisoning me with tea and chocolate scones, and his maid is planning to drown me in my morning bath?
N: How many chocolate scones have you had this morning?
D: That’s irrelevant.
D: Six. A girl’s gotta eat.
D: Just make sure everyone there is safe. Please.
N: Of course, Devora. We’re all fine. He can’t find us.
D: Still nothing suspicious there?
N: It’s been five hours.
D: Well, I’m bored. I tried getting into a couple of abandoned rooms, but his guards stopped me. I feel useless.
N: It’s only your second day there. Have you seen S yet?
D: No. He still hasn’t come. Neither my sneaking around skills NOR my immense powers of seduction have come in handy yet. Maybe I should seduce the guards…
N: Trust me, I’ve tried that before.
D: Are you sure it’s not safe to use my shadows? I’ve been wanting to practice shadow melting.
N: Because that’s exactly what we need—a novice Shadow Wielder accidentally melting into a room full of guards ready to kill you.
D: Aww, it almost sounds like you care.
N: You made a promise. I haven’t forgotten about that drink, darling.
N: Still alive?
D: Yes, sorry…I fell asleep early. You’re up late.
N: Are you picturing me in bed?
D: Does that line actually work on anyone?
N: You’d be surprised.
N: Can’t sleep, that’s all.
D: Is it the nightmares?
N: They’ve been getting worse. It’s just…everything going on. It feels like we’re running out of time. Like we’re on the verge of something big, but it keeps moving out of our grasp.
D: Have you ever talked to anyone about the dreams?
N: No. Not many know I have them.
D: Well…I do. So you might as well talk to me.
D: If you want.
D: You don’t have to.
N: They’re mostly visions of memories. I see things like my father’s death, my sister and I when we were children, and the woman I once loved being killed. It’s always the same, over and over.
D: I’m sorry, Nox.
D: What happened to her? The woman you loved?
N: It was a long time ago. We escaped S together, but he found us. Tracked us down and killed her so I’d go back with him.
D: Fates, Nox. I’m so sorry. He’s a monster.
N: That’s what he does. Takes those I care about and ruins them. It’s why I can’t let anyone get too close. Not since her.
D: I get it. But it doesn’t mean it’s always going to end that way. You deserve to be happy again.
N: Feeling sorry for your ruthless captor?
D: We both know that’s never what you were, Nox.
D: Sleep well. I’ll check in tomorrow.
D: That’s it, if he doesn’t show up today, I’m jumping out this window.
N: Good morning to you, too.
D: The suspense is driving me crazy. I need him to either kill me or give me something to do before I rot in here.
N: Not funny.
D: Sorry. I just don’t do well with this. Feeling purposeless. Like I can’t do anything to help. I know you’re all waiting on me to find something.
N: I’d rather you be safe than efficient, Devora.
D: Distract me. What have you been working on?
N: Silas is down to his last bit of fatesprig. He’s been trying to run magical tests without using it on anyone, since we don’t know what effects it’ll have, but it’s not working. He’s out of ideas. I’m thinking about letting him use it on me.
D: That sounds like a terrible plan.
N: Never stopped me before, darling.
D: Such an inspiration to rebellious souls everywhere.
D: S just showed up. He’s taking me somewhere tonight. Don’t wait up for me; it might be late.
N: I’ll be up. Stay safe.