Fireside and Secrets by K.E. O'Connor

Author:K.E. O'Connor [O'Connor, K.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: K.E. O'Connor
Published: 2023-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

I kept my head up as I followed Warwick out of my cell and into the main stone corridor. I looked into each cell we passed. There were twenty in total. Many of the inhabitants were hunched at the back, their faces turned away, but I could see at least two women occupied each cell.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

Warwick didn’t respond.

Fear fizzled down my spine, making my nerves tingle and the tips of my fingers go numb. I could run. I was fast on my feet and small. Warwick was a wall of solid muscle, so maybe that would slow him. But if he caught me, there’d be nothing left of me.

I kept looking around, hopeful to see Hodgepodge. Where would they put him? Not in a cell. He’d be able to slip through the bars. Maybe in a cage. I had to get him back. If I found out they’d done anything to hurt him...

I grabbed a sharp piece of stone from the floor and hurried closer to Warwick.

“Don’t even think about doing anything that stupid.” Warwick’s voice grumbled out of his broad chest.

I lowered the hand I had raised. I couldn’t outfight him with brute strength. “I wasn’t doing anything.”

“Your footsteps changed, your breathing grew faster, and I heard the stone scrape as you lifted it. Follow me. And drop your weapon if you know what’s good for you.”

I scowled at his back and flung the stone to the floor. We reached a set of stone steps that went down. I had no idea there was a lower level beneath the dungeon.

Warwick led the way, not bothering to glance over his shoulder since he appeared to have supernatural powers that meant he knew what I was doing without looking. Maybe he did. The royal guards had more freedom to use magic, as the sparking staff in his hand showed.

We reached a solid stone wall, and he pressed his hand against it. There was a small glow from beneath his palm, and a doorway appeared.

“You use the servants’ tunnels?” I asked.

“Of course. And I know you do.” He stepped inside, clicked his fingers, and light filled the corridor.

I hesitated at the entrance. “Is this route taking me to another dungeon? One worse than the one above our heads?”

“That’s the only castle dungeon.” He finally turned and met my gaze. Rather than anger burning in his eyes, I was surprised to see curiosity. “What are you waiting for?”

“I’m buying a few more minutes of life. I fear if I go in there, I’m never coming out.”

A flicker of a smile crossed his face, but it was gone just as quickly. “You’ll live so long as you don’t get any more dumb thoughts about attacking me.”

“You’re taking me to my certain doom. A woman has a right to defend herself.”

Warwick smirked. “Against me? Good luck. But you won’t meet a certain doom in here. I have questions, that’s all.”

I looked over my shoulder. Going back up those steps and into the dungeon would get me nowhere.

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