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“I’ h if I stay here what happens next doesn’t have to happen

“Oh, she’s sorry,” Dobry roars, turning to laugh at the rooeneral

Everybody joins in with his laughter, even the other servants, those who are just glad that it isn’t them in their crosshairs

“I guess thatback to ood tiood time I prefer my women a little more nubile – that is the word, yes? – but she will do”

A sickening shiver uards approach, their hands on their hips, ready to shoot ree to follow them

I have no choice but to stand anddown the corridor with the four of the in Russian

One of the, but I know it’s not good

Nothing that happens here is good

They take o, and then lead me to a bedrooant door I’ve ever seen The frauard lets out a throaty sigh as he shoves it open

He gestures into the bedrooun “In Now”

I scurry into the roo I can do, and then flinch as they slam the door shut behind me

The roo tall, patterned with battle scenes Tapestries hang frorown thing with silk sheets, a four poster e up my throat

I pace around, checking the only other door—the ensuite, as lavish as the rest of this place, the faucets, and shower heads old The s here are locked The s in the bedrooht-dark estate – are locked

The door to the hallway, of course, is locked

I press uards

Nothing, nobody

Can I kick the door down?

I raise ne has ain

I catch myself, just in time