Shadows and Sage by A.N. Payton

Author:A.N. Payton
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781648983061
Publisher: City Owl Press

Chapter Sixteen

A stack of dry wood sat in a wire basket near the fire, and I persuaded the faded embers back to life in a dancing haze of orange and red. The scent of freshly cut pine embraced the air. I didn’t need a fire. It was a warm day, and the bedroom window faced the morning light, filling my room with blissful golden sunshine. Despite the tonic healing my body and the shackles no longer causing constant pain, I hurt. The flames soothed the ache in my bones and distracted me from my own thoughts.

The door smacked against the simple wooden footboard of the twin bed. Rayhan half-stepped into the room. His gaze skirted over my grip on the fire poker and the mattress I had made expecting a quick eviction.

I turned from him. I didn’t want to see his anger at me, even if I deserved it.

“Come on, girl.” Rayhan’s throat sounded dry, cracked. “Let’s go.”

I pushed to my feet, and no arguments bubbled in my mind. He would march me straight to my old cell and then leave, and I wouldn’t see him again. I wouldn’t escape this place or save my father’s life. I could only pray that Penelope was a better student than me and learned to make the tonic faster than I did.

The stones under my feet were softer than the iron knot in my chest. I deserved whatever Rayhan had planned for me. I had lied to him and failed him. I forced my chin up. I wouldn’t go limp-hearted and ashamed. Everything I did was for someone else.

My people would hate me. Reef’s pinched face burned through my mind. He may never forgive me for abandoning them. I may never forgive myself.

I padded behind Rayhan in the light pink dress and knee-high wool socks from his mother, tucked into the fur-lined black shoes Rayhan had given me my first day in the cellblock. I smoothed a hand through my dark tangles, but they didn’t budge. We passed several people in the hall, all neatly pressed and bathed, but nobody turned my way. Probably because of Rayhan’s towering presence rather than their lack of curiosity.

The vampire stepped from the staircase landing that led to the dungeon door. My heart froze. I may be trapped on this floor forever.

He spun right, descending another flight toward the ground floor.

I paused.

Rayhan stopped and turned around. “What, girl?” He pressed his lips into a thin line.

“Where are we going?” Maybe he’d determined I was more trouble to keep alive and he was leading me to the gallows outside.

“Come on.” His tone softened. He lifted his hand, palm up, and reached out to me. His fingers twisted at the tips, inviting me to grab them. “I’ll show you.”

I bit my lip. I ached to take Rayhan’s hand, to know that he wasn’t mad or bitter at me, but I couldn’t convince my arm to lift.

Rayhan dropped his palm, and his brows creased. The sea in his eyes twisted, and he stalked toward me.

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