Page 12 (1/2)

"Yes The healer took the effects of the drugs away so ould wake up I was then promptly told who they were and what they wanted with us"

Feeling belittled and guilty I hed huh to have in their hands the Handmaiden of Phaedra and the Captain of the Royal Guard We’re bargaining chips, e for land from Markiza Raven"

I scoffed at the ridiculousness of it "Are they idiots?" I reement with Novia, once we’re free we’ll just send in the entire Guard to arrest them for what they’ve done"

Wolfe shook his head "Not if they keep us hostage for a while They knodawned "You mean… they uess" He nodded "They’ll promise to look after us, keep us alive But they won’t hand us over until they’re certain of their position If ever"

Acid curdled inthe floor so I could lean un to grow incried painfully "This is because of Haydyn… isn’t it? Because her power is waning?"

Wolfe sighed and followed ht eyes hard as flint I looked away, unnerved by him when he had that focused, ruthless look in his eye "Yes It is," he replied finally

"We have to get out of here" I shook my head frantically and jus felt wobbly after having not used thean…"

I pulled at the door but it orthless Ignoring the prick of tears behindthere to see Just a narrow, dark staircase leading upwards into the house I whirled around,on theI ran at it but couldn’t reach it I twisted around to glare at Wolfe "Can you get your ass up for a minute to see if these bars will shift?"

He pinned usted look "I’an, not an idiot I tried theand the door as soon as they left us in this damn cellar"

I deflated instantly, but refused to show "

"The only chance we get is if they let us out of here"

Reluctantly hearing the wisdom in his statement, I nodded and made my way back over to round and stared straight ahead It was then I became aware of howkidnapped was not fun

Wolfe grunted andto say, say it," I snapped

"Oh it’s nothing," his words were laced in heavy sarcas e of protecting you"

"Hey!" I whipped around to scowl at him "No one asked you to protect me! To follow me!"

He rolled his eyes "I’an, and you are the most important person in her life Not to mention the last of the Azyl and the only bloody person who knohere the Somna Plant is! It’s my job to protect you And you ot us kidnapped by creepy… Iavii… people!" He spat

"Oh dear haven," I groaned, and leaned back against the cold brick wall, closing et over it, already?"

He spluttered, "Get over it? Get over it? Do you have any idea what this could do to an?! What if so happens to you?!"

"Relax It’s not like they’ll blahed heavily "I can’t believe I got kidnapped with Captain Wolfe Stovia Talk about fun"

"You are such a brat"

I s him "And you are such a pompous, untrustworthy snake"

I felt his indrawn breath without looking at hiuilt that seizedin the door e, burlydark hair pulled back into a ure seemed to take up the entire space as he watched us like a predator, studying its prey

"We’ve brought ye food" He had a slight accent, his words rolling and unrefined He nodded at so a tray "Oneto the hilt of a sword strapped to a belt around his hip

I looked at Wolfe for guidance but he just kept his eyes trained on the larger of thehis distance froround He looked up at me as he picked one bowl off of it and slid it towards me As he did the same for Wolfe’s bowl, his eyes never left ard He watchedI waited for Wolfe to do so But he just sat there

"I need to use the… I have need of… I need to relieveat rinned "Ye mean ye need to use the piss pot?"

I flushed even harder at his crassness but nodded, hoping he would let s

"There’s one in the corner" He grinned even harder "Behind the changing screen"

I was horrified "You are jesting?"

He shook his head "If ye’re that desperate, ye’ll use it"