Page 19
I could return and remain at my post, then endure whatever torment Godric has in mind for me.
Assuming I survive, I’m more help to Sofia inside the compound than lost outside of it.
But what about my sister?
My loyalty to my twin is a string that almost cuts my heart in two. I can’t possibly choose someone I befriended on a slave ship over her, no matter how nice she might be.
I’ll come back for you, I think.
But I don’t take the door.
I decide to make my own.
Slipping the explosive tonic from the strap on my thigh, I mentally judge how much I need to extract. Using up the whole vial could demolish the entire camp, and death is not on my agenda for today, even if it would take the assholes who captured me down with it.
Carefully, I pour one drop into the new container, utter the necessary incantation, and then replace the cork.
That done, I sprint for the other end of the wall, the one that looks reinforced with thick stones that no one should be able to get through.
“No one keeps me hostage,” I whisper, then throw the small bottle at the wall.
The explosion rocks the compound and shouts fill the air, but there’s no one in the immediate vicinity. It’ll take time for them to come and investigate.
I don’t wait for the dust to settle. I sprint through the cloud of debris and disappear through it like a thief in the night.
Adrenaline empowers me more than any strength potion ever could as I hurry through the broken barrier and enter the forest.
I had intended to follow the tracks back to the ships, but there’s no time for that. I have to hide.
Godric can’t find me.
No one can.
“That was unnecessary, little rose—”
The voice abruptly chops off in my head as if someone had flipped a switch.
Glancing back, I expect to find someone following me, but I can only see the broken twigs I’ve left behind, along with red footprints.
Pain slams into me, and I realize that I’ve cut my feet.
My invisibility magic works on anything my feet touch, but it won’t hide blood.
“They’ll track me,” I whisper to myself as I slip my shoes back on. I can’t rely on my family’s magic to hide me now.
Cursing, I debate taking another swig of the strength potion and making a run for it, but when I turn, I slam right into a hard chest.
I freeze, then look up at the most hauntingly beautiful face I’ve ever seen.
A man with short, dark hair, chiseled cheekbones, and one white eye peers down at me from underneath the shadow of a hood.
He peels the cowl back and pins me to the ground with his intense stare.
Voices shout in the distance. His gaze flicks past me, then he takes out a very familiar vial from his cloak and uncorks it with his teeth.
Holy shit, that’s hot.
Stunned, I stare at the vial of sparkling purple liquid.
