Page 112 of Nocturn

Istruggled to strangle my screech. The voice was easy to recognize, or I should say the tone—low with a healthy dose of apathy.

“Lucinda?” I whispered, peering around toward where the sound of her voice came. I could only see the top of her head bobbing from the opposite corner from me.

“Who else would it be?”

‘She’s a bitch⁠—’

“How did you manage to escape?”

She remained quiet for a few breaths. I gave Piper a look of disapproval.

“Mother set herself aflame and began running through the halls.”

Saints, that is horrid.

‘That is a good reason.’ Piper sounded just as subdued.

I could not agree more. Settling deeper into my little corner, I hugged Piper.

Freedom was so close.

We settled into the ride, the wagon wobbling and jostling with more force than a carriage. I closed my eyes. I was not sure how long we traveled, but the sounds of horses neighing and shouting intermingled.

“Hide,” Lucinda snapped, and her head disappeared.

I tucked my arms around my knees, setting Piper to my side. She pressed against me, and I lowered my head.

“Hide better.”

“What exactly does that mean?” I hissed, searching frantically for something to pull over myself. The wagon slowed with a jolt, and the shouting became incessant. I scooted my bottom and lay on my side. Piper remained near my legs.

Hinges creaked and my shoulders drew up. I kept my face laid against my arm. Muffled discussion came from the front. Steps clopped on the wooden floor, shaking the surface I lay upon.

“Nothing underneath, Sergeant,” the shout echoed. And the steps continued.

I looked up at just the wrong moment and clashed gazes with familiar blue eyes—the eyes of the man I had come to see as a friend. Every one of his facial muscles tensed.

I held my breath. Tears welling. It was done with. I was caught.

“Nothing in here. Continue the search,” he shouted. With that, he turned away from me. I clamped my teeth together, and the rattle of wood marked their departure.

It did not take long for the wagon to begin jostling again. I exhaled slowly.

‘He saw you.’

I didn’t respond to Piper.

Egan saw me. I had no doubt about it.

Yet despite the indecision, he had not given my hiding spot away.

I exhaled, relieved and infinitely grateful . . . but I was not free yet.

“Try to sleep, we have a long way to travel,” Lucinda murmured from her spot.

Sleeping was the furthest thing from my mind. I curled my legs higher until I tucked them against my stomach.

Cassiel would know I had escaped by now. He would hate me more than he already did.