One of the servants quickly serves me juice and eggs on toast; Shelley hovers, refusing to let me leave until she has watched me eat every crumb before handing me an apple.
“I’m fine!” I assure her, even so, I take it, tapping my leg. Hunter slowly gets to his feet and stretches. I watch him. He’s been off since he woke up, almost depressed. “Hunter, come on, boy.” He wags his tail, moving to keep up as Shelley leads me back to my room. Once we are inside, she locks the door and turns to me. Reaching into the pockets of her apron, she pulls out a key.
Grabbing some decent clothes out and removing the robe, I pull on a long sleeve top and the skirt; I have to roll it to keep it on my hips. This one is a little too big, doesn't have a drawstring, and is much lighter than the others.
“This key is for the back entrance gates behind the stables. It is heavily guarded, but shift changes at midnight, and it is left unguarded for approximately ten minutes. It’s only guarded by the cameras and alarms.” She tells me, walking over to the bed. She grabs the corner of the mattress by the bedside table and slips it on the bed base before dropping the mattress and tucking in the bed linen.
“So I have not only ten minutes to escape, but I have to somehow hide from the cameras and not trip any alarms?”
“No, before I leave, I plan on getting into the surveillance room. I will set them on a timer and shut them off for twenty minutes. But listen to me, Zirah, this is very important. Head west, follow the path, and don’t stray from it! Do not run into the forest North. That will lead you into enemy territory.”
“Follow a path. Wouldn’t it be under surveillance?” Shelley shakes her head.
“Yes, but you have ten minutes. Follow it to the drains. They will lead you outside the kingdom's borders back toward the mountains. You'll get out unnoticed if you can get to those mountains and the neighboring towns.” She tells me.
I chew my lip and nod my head before looking down at Hunter, knowing I can’t take him. “When?” I ask her.
“In two nights from now, Zeke is your best shot. He’s a terrible alcoholic and is usually passed out by then.”
“Why not tonight?”
“Because tonight the King leaves, and the King is ordering someone to be stationed at your door until you are under one of his sons’ care.” I sigh. This is a mess, and I am not looking forward to spending a night with Regan tomorrow.
“Here, the King told me to give you this,” she tells me, reaching into her pocket and pulling a plastic card out. She hands it to me and then gives me a small purse full of gold coins. I hold the card up, having never seen it before. Turning it over, it has a stripe along the back and numbers on the front. What am I supposed to do with this?
Shelley purses her lips. “Maybe just use the coins,” she says, taking it and tucking it inside the purse.
“There is enough gold in there; you could buy whatever you want anyway, and I don’t have enough time to school you on its use. Maybe ask King Regan?” She suggests. I raise an eyebrow at her.
“Good point, maybe not.” She chuckles.
sandals on and ensuring the
is it?” I point at
arm, studying the rune before yanking my sleeve up, her fingers tracing over them like it is the first time she
cut off when the door opens, and the door handle hits the floor. Shelley yanks my sleeve down,
wait.” He snarls, and
time.” Shelley answers, apologizing for me, yet time hadn’t really passed that quickly, had it? Shelley gives me a worried look, but one growl from King Regan sends
I snap at Regan before tapping my leg. Hunter gets up slowly from his spot in front of the fireplace and wanders over, his tail
him here.” King Regan
look at the King, but his eyes are on Hunter. “He needs Zeke’s blood. He is weakening and soon will start
I ask, horrified.
needs his
yours?” King Regan shakes his head and crouches next
them sick. They’re sired to their master only. Only Zeke can fix him.” King Regan says, grabbing his face. He tilts Hunter’s head up, prying his mouth open and looking inside
tongue. “You need to give him back to Zeke unless you want him to die. He’s gone too long without blood.”
him to die. “Maybe we could find Zeke?” I ask him, and I am surprised
The King walks out, and I follow with Hunter.
I ask,
castle. We have to slow down a few times to wait for Hunter, who is growing worse
wall, big screens on the walls playing clips, and a few guards stand around laughing and talking to Zeke, who is drinking and already wasted. Peering in, I see a young maid looking petrified, pushed up against
moment King Regan enters, all chatter dies immediately. “Leave us!” He orders, and the guards instantly scatter, almost falling over each other
brother, and ruin my fun? I was about to make Lincoln and Palo bend the maid over that table and fuck her so I could watch.” Zeke drawls, and I wander inside, stepping
escape
if she is replacing her..” Zeke taunts, his eyes turning black as he licks his lips. I walk into the
you’re–” My words are cut off when he moves impossibly fast. One
He purrs,
can’t hurt me.” I sneer back
There is no rule about hurting you.” Zeke smiles wickedly, and Hunter growls at my feet. His eyes dart down, and