Chapter 47
I pulled the rough blanket tighter around me as I turned onto my side. The move was a mistake. I bit my lip to keep from crying out in pain. I’d tried to use my cot as a ladder to reach the window.
Epic fail.
The first fall had ended in a likely bruised tailbone. The second, I suspected, had given me broken ribs. Each breath I took felt as if I were inhaling fire. And moving was even worse.
My eyes burned as I stared up at the ceiling. I tried to picture my guys. What were they doing right now? They were probably out of their minds with worry.
I tried to send them a message. To let them know that I was okay. That I was still breathing. That I’d keep fighting.
Nothing.
I let out a whoosh of air. My ribs screamed in protest.
Metal squealed, and I froze. The door?
Footsteps sounded on the cement, and my heart hammered against my ribs.
Was it Damien having lost his patience with Patrick? The dragon king deciding it was time to do away with me?
A massive shadowy form stopped in front of my cell. They didn’t type in a code on the pad. Instead, they pulled out a key to override the system. A second later, they were in my cell.
I launched to my feet, ready to defend myself with everything I had.
Niall’s face came into the moonlight, and he lifted a finger to his lips. “We don’t have long. I triggered a power outage over the entire compound. But it won’t take them long to get it up and running.”
I blinked a few times. “Where are you taking me?”
“Away from here,” he growled.
“Why?” I pressed.
“Because not all of us want to be monsters, Leighton.”
My chest constricted at the pain in his words. Following Niall was a risk, but staying here was certain death. I jerked my head in a nod.
Niall led the way out of the cell and toward the dungeon door. “Stay behind me. I’ll deal with whoever we come across.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
The second we were out of the jail area, my magic surged to life. Brendan had taken the cuff off when he’d brought me dinner, thankfully. The feel of that tangle of colors and energy was pure bliss and helped stave off the worst of the pain in my ribs.
Niall turned to the right, heading for a back staircase. He opened the door and listened. Nothing.
He motioned for me to follow him. He took the stairs much more quickly than I could with my injured ribs.
Niall paused on a landing, frowning at me. “What’s wrong?”
I winced. “I tried to use my bed as a ladder to get out through the window.”
He cursed. “How bad?”
“I think I broke a rib or two.”
Niall’s jaw clenched. “I could carry you, but it might make things worse.”
I shook my head fervently. “No. You need to be ready to fight.”
He jerked his head in a nod and started up the stairs again.
By the time we made it to a door, there were dark spots dancing across my vision. My ribs might have been worse than I thought.
Niall studied me for a moment. “Do you think you’ll be able to make it? It’s a long walk back to Crescent territory.”
“I can do it,” I croaked.
He didn’t look convinced. “Stick to the trees, but keep the road in sight. You know the way once you hit the main road?”
“I remember.” Thankfully, the moon was bright enough to light my path.
“I’ll get you to the trees, and then I need to get back to my alibi.”
“Let’s go.”
This had been more than a risk for Niall, and I owed him my life.
He pushed open the door, and we stepped out into the cold night air. The temperature helped. It kept me alert and awake. A different kind of pain to distract from that in my ribs.
“Niall!” a guy called.
He turned as a younger man came around the corner.
“We need help at the—” The guard’s eyes bugged out. “What is she doing—?”
Niall struck out with a fist to his face. “Run!” he shouted.
I didn’t wait. I took off for the trees as fast as my legs would carry me.
“Traitor!” the guard shouted.
A gunshot sounded.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Niall fall. A cry left my lips, but I’d already made it to the trees. I couldn’t stop.
Tears flowed down my face, the wind making the tracks sting, but I kept pushing. My lungs felt as if I were inhaling razor blades.
“Stop!” the guard yelled.
He was gaining on me. None of my training would help me now, not with broken ribs.
Footsteps pounded behind me. “Stop or I’ll shoot!”
I tugged hard on my magic, not even knowing what I was pulling free. I whirled and thrust my hands out. A mix of purple, silver, and gold magic flew from my palms.
The guard’s eyes went wide, and then he was engulfed in flames. His scream only lasted for a moment, and then he fell to the ground.
I’d killed someone.
I stared at him until shouts sounded from deeper in the dragon lands. There wasn’t time for an existential crisis if I had any hope of surviving.
Turning on my heel, I took off through the woods. I moved farther away from the road but where I could still just make it out.
ATVs took off down the bumpy gravel, guards and soldiers scanning the woods. I thanked my lucky stars my sweats were a dark green that blended in with the night and my surroundings. I moved carefully, picking my way through the underbrush, blood roaring in my ears.
I didn’t know how long it took for me to reach the main road. But by the time I did, my breaths were painfully shallow.
Tears stung my eyes at how far I had to go. “One step at a time,” I whispered.
I wanted to flag down a passing motorist on the two-lane highway, but there was no way of knowing who it would be. I couldn’t take that risk. So, I did as Niall told me and kept to the trees on the side of the road.
Each pair of headlights that passed, I’d duck behind a trunk just in case. The trek felt as if it took all night, but the sky was still dark by the time I hit our neighborhood.
Tears fell from my cheeks as I caught sight of The Nest. My legs shook as I made my way up the drive to the gatehouse.
A guard stepped out as he caught sight of me, his jaw dropping. But another was already on the phone and opening the gate.
More black spots danced in my vision as I forced myself to keep walking.
Figures were running from the house, but they all blended together. I couldn’t see how many there were.
One was out in front, running the fastest.
Purple eyes flashed in the night. Trace.
I tried to say his name, but I couldn’t get my lips to work.
I reached out a hand. I was so close.
Horror spread across Trace’s expression.
But I was already falling.