FIFTEEN
I’m relieved my riding shoes have thick padded soles. I easily slink along the corridors, my footsteps light, making little sound as I search for Devlan.
I saw him turn left down the hallway toward the back of the castle. I know I did, but now I’ve lost him. I look between the two corridors once I reach the open hall. Each passage is long, leading to either wing of the castle, and I could roam for hours before discovering I took the wrong one.
Damn it.
Avoiding knights, maids, and the courtiers of the castle is taxing. Finally, I decide to take the right. If nothing else, I’ll explore and learn my way around here. Or get lost, and have to call Devlan on the communicator and look like an idiot.
The torches cast creepy shadows along the corridor, and I walk for what feels like forever before finally reaching the end of the hallway. There’s only one way to take: back the way I came. It’s a dead end. Rooms along this end of the wing are empty, I suppose used for guests, but there is no one here.
I’m two seconds from turning around, ready to end my search, when I hear muffled voices. I freeze, straining to hear which room they’re coming from. But they don’t drift from a room. They’re coming from behind the wall—the dead end.
I place my hands to the stone. It’s cold and solid. A cool draft blows across my ankles, and I follow the chill air to the corner of the corridor. I press my hands along the crevice, feeling stupid. Then, something clicks, and the corner swings in, revealing a dark passage.
My heart hammers in my ears, and apprehension coils tightly around my chest. Devlan might not be here at all. This might be some secret room of the servants, or the Force. I could stumble into something that will get me tossed into the Oubliette or worse.
I consider what I’m about to do—sneak into some hidden chamber where I may learn things I never wanted to know—long and hard.
Curiosity wins out.
Against my better judgment, I force my fear away and take a step inside, beginning my descent. Stairs lead down a dark tunnel and only one torch is lit to guide my path. The voices grow louder the deeper I go. I can hear them, strained, angry. Footsteps pace back and forth.
With each footstep I grow braver until I reach the bottom step. I stop and press my back to the side of the narrow tunnel. Shadows flicker against the wall before me, and from around the corner the voices come clearly now.
A loud bang echoes as something slams. “You don’t get to make that call, Larkin.”
My heart constricts. It’s Devlan’s voice, and he’s shouting at the Round Table knight who stormed my home. I should leave now before I’m found out spying on their meeting.
“Devlan,” Larkin says, his voice gravelly. “You said it yourself. You’re not sure where her loyalties lie now.” He pauses a moment. “Her affections for the prince could play out in our favor. We should stick to the original plan.”
I grab my chest and squeeze my bodice. They’re talking about me.
Another voice, one I don’t recognize, says, “The original plan is no longer in play, as Micah is no longer the leader.”
“Oh, shut up, Xander,” Larkin says. “We get it. Stop reminding us your precious Fallon is in charge.” He huffs. “Wish I had bedded her. Maybe then I’d get to call some shots around here.”
“You fucking bastard,” the guy growls. There’s a hard smack, and shouting among all three breaks out.
“You hit me!” Larkin accuses. “You asshole. You’ve been here all of what…two days? And you think you can come in and change everything? Devlan should’ve never demoted your ass to footman. He should’ve thrown you out. Actually, I should just finish out my orders.” He laughs hollowly. “You were a sorry excuse for a knight of the Force, anyway.”
“What’s wrong, Larkin?” Xander asks. “Scared I’ll tie you to a tree and leave you there this time? Or that my girlfriend will kick your ass again?”
“Shut. Up,” Devlan shouts. “Both of you.”
“You’re not the commander anymore, Devlan.” Larkin chuckles mockingly. “And your first knight status doesn’t mean you get to call the shots, either.” A beat. “Why are you even here, Xander? Really?”
It’s silent a moment before Xander answers. “I have my reasons.”
There’s a long pause, and I hear Devlan’s footsteps pace again. His movements are shadows cast on the tunnel wall before me, shaky in the wavering torchlight. “I need to go to the camp. There’s something I need to discuss with Fallon.”
“That’s too dangerous,” the guy—Xander—says. “We have to be cautious.”
“I don’t care,” Devlan says. “It’s important to assess new information before I proceed.”
“I say we off her tonight,” Larkin says. I slap my hand over my mouth. “If what you say is true, Devlan, that will weigh heavily in our favor. That is the mission, remember?” He pauses. “To get closer, gain access to Excalibur. Or are you a coward now?”
“The mission, Larkin,” Devlan says, frustration lacing his voice, “was to wait until after the wedding.”
Oh, my God. No, no, no.
I stumble back, and my backside hits the stone steps hard.
“This meeting is over for now,” Xander says. “Before you get too carried away, Larkin, Devlan and I will find a way to meet with Fallon.”
Their footsteps quicken and I panic. They’re moving toward the tunnel. As quietly as I can, my limbs shaking, I climb the stairs. I reach the secret door but before I push through, I glance over my shoulder making sure I’m clear—
—and meet Devlan’s eyes.
We stare at each other, his eyes wide, my breath struggling past my lips. He turns toward the other knights. “You two take the back way,” he says. “We need to make sure both are clear.” Then he races up the steps.
I don’t think.
I run.
Whatever their plan, whatever reason I’m to be killed, doesn’t matter. He knows I know, and he’s coming for me.
He’s going to kill me.
“Zara!” Devlan calls out.
I barrel down the hallway and round the corner into the back hall. He’s fast. I know he is. He’s going to catch me.
I don’t stop, and I don’t look behind me. I have no idea where I’m going to go, but I need to get away. It comes to me quickly. My chamber. I turn into the hallway leading to my room and run faster, my legs pumping. My dress tangles between my legs and I grab it up, forcing it above my thighs as I ignore the aching burn in my calves.
His footfalls sound closer, but I don’t turn to look. As I come up on my room, his arms wrap around my waist and pull me to a stop. His hand clamps over my mouth, muffling the scream I barely work through my stinging throat. I kick and struggle as he hauls me inside my room.
“Stop,” he pants into my ear. “Please, Zara. Just listen.”
I twist and push against him, but his hold on me is solid. I could do this all night and he’d kill me eventually. I fall limp in his arms. I need him to release me so I can get away. I nod against his hand.
He takes in a deep breath. “I’m going to release you. Don’t scream.” He removes his hand from over my mouth, then drops his arms. “Sit down.”
The hell I will.
I quickly scan my room. My choice is made. I’m getting out of here. For all I know, Sebastian is part of this sadistic plan. I can’t trust any of them. My father was right. Something is very, very wrong here, and I have to get out.
I turn and knee him in the groin. Hard. He drops to his knees. “You really don’t know me, Devlan.”
I race over to my desk while Devlan is still holding himself and pick up my wooden chair. It’s heavy, but I’m able to lift it high enough to get leverage, then I drop it on his head. He hits the floor face first. I scramble to the ground, reach inside his vest pocket, and yank out his keychain. I stand and kick him in the head for good measure.