Captive of Wolves (Bound to the Fae Book 1) by Eva Chase

Author:Eva Chase [Chase, Eva]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ink Spark Press
Published: 2020-12-09T06:00:00+00:00

19

Talia

I sit with my back against the wall next to the bedroom door so I can hear the comings and goings in the hall as clearly as possible. In the afternoon, I napped as long as I could to make sure I wouldn’t inadvertently fall asleep now, but I still have to jerk myself into alertness a couple of times when my eyelids start to droop.

When footsteps pause outside, I hold my breath. There’s a murmur so faint I can’t make out the word, and then whoever that was moves on. The door must be locked now—until I put my salt trick to use.

I was right that Whitt wouldn’t be hosting another party tonight, but I’m guessing he’s the one who takes the longest coming up to the bedrooms. I’m shuffling my feet against each other to keep me awake when the final set of footsteps finally reaches my ears, rounding the corner to the rooms where the fae men sleep.

Of course, going to bed doesn’t necessarily mean dozing off just yet. I wait longer, anticipation buzzing through my nerves, my pulse already hiccupping.

I’ll only get one chance. One chance, with no idea what really awaits me once I leave the keep. What if Aerik or someone from his cadre is prowling around out there? What if I stumble out of the Mists into a human war zone?

I press my hands against the floor to steady myself. Whatever happens, happens. All I can do is take it one step at a time. I can do this.

When the keep has been silent for long enough that my skin starts to itch with impatience, I wait a few minutes more. Then I ease onto my feet. The fae might have good hearing, but surely a few small sounds won’t be enough to wake them.

The salt crystals hiss into my hand. I push them against the knob like before, and a quiver of energy darts through me. A few of the crystals crumble into a dust so fine I can’t see it after it falls from my hand.

I snatch the rest back against my palm. When I peek at the salt, it looks like I’ve lost almost half of the meager amount I started with. Counteracting the magic must damage the crystals in the process.

What if this isn’t enough to get me through the outer door too?

I drag in a shaky breath and fight off the suffocating sensation rising through my chest. I won’t know until I try.

After dropping the remaining salt into the leather pouch for safe keeping, I edge the door open so slowly the hinges don’t make the slightest squeak. I close it behind me, knowing that the appearance of me still being inside could buy me vital minutes or even hours if one of my captors walks by, and head for the staircase with carefully even steps. My fingers squeeze the pouch tight.

As I make my slow, measured way down the hall, the foot brace only rasps faintly against the floorboards a couple of times.

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