40. Lina
Lina
“ S omeone is coming.”
I look over my shoulder but, again, find only darkness. The flame in my hand wavers in a rush of cool air.
“Put it out,” Alliana says. “They’ll see!”
“But if I?—”
Loud stomping steps cause my blood to run cold. Without another thought, I shove the torch into the slick muck beneath my feet. It goes out with a sizzle, leaving me in complete darkness.
“Who’s chatting back there?” a male voice hollers.
The room is silent. I don’t dare move.
“I expect an answer!”
“Carington was having a nightmare again,” someone answers, voice low and hollow. I swallow. I don’t know who answered. Did they do it for my benefit? Maybe they all heard and hope to escape with us.
“Your whole existence is a nightmare,” the guard barks back.
No one argues with the male voice.
“Shut it, or I’ll take it as proof someone wants to make a visit to the drakai. Do I have a volunteer?”
Again, silence.
“As I thought.” The man spits, and his stomping fades away again.
“I’ll come back again,” I tell Alliana. “With food.”
She doesn’t respond to that. I don’t know what purpose food would serve in her situation. Will she still be fed to the drakai even with a full belly? But it’s something small I’m able to do. So, I will.
I slowly back up until my feet find solid stone. I take those few steps carefully, and then I pray hard as I attempt my walk across the narrow ledge in the complete darkness.
She’s dirty now.
Naughty girl.
The strange voices echo through my mind.
But I force myself on, pressing tightly to the angled wall and take slow careful steps.
I only shift my weight once I know I have a solid surface.
My feet are now slick with mud, and I have no light at all to tell where to take my next step.
My toes find the edge several times, but with careful precision, I adjust and find a new spot to step.
Finally, I reach the opening I came through. The hall is darker than before. The air thicker.
The hem of my dress damp.
But I feel it deep in my soul that I have to run.. I have to be back in my dwelling. Now.
Two steps.
That’s all I make it before a rough hand grabs my face and shoves me into the wall.