Page 35 of The Stars are Dying

That command registered dully, along with Zath’s first steps away. “Don’t leave,” I said—a pathetic ask after all he’d risked for me, but he couldn’t put himself in danger again.

“You’re free now, Astraea,” he said softly.

Zath strode away, and my first step after him was stopped by a hook around my elbow. Snapping my head around, my argument didn’t escape when I beheld the fierce urgency on Cassia’s face. She took my hand, and I was about to let her lead me out of the manor until I stopped suddenly.

“I need something. I’ll be quick. Please, Cassia. I’ll meet you in the woods in five minutes.”

“It surely can’t be worth the risk. This whole manor will be coming for you in less than that.”

“We’ve risked ourselves enough,” Calix argued, shooting me a look of agitation I couldn’t react to. “Let’s go, Cassia. She’ll meet us, and if not, we’ve done enough.”

Though it stung to hear, I was grateful for Calix’s harshness this time. Cassia’s jaw worked with reluctance, but I turned and sprinted with all the stealth I’d mastered through these halls.

Bursting into my rooms, I rushed into the closet where I’d stashed the satchel. I couldn’t leave without my medication, especially without knowing exactly what it was yet to find more. I stuffed myself into boots, knowing my outfit was too elaborate for an escape, but I had no time to change. I slung on a thick navy cloak.

My steps out of the room stumbled when I heard the shouting. Then the pounding of footsteps that grew louder before wild faces came into view, and I gasped, whirling back as they called my name.

I slammed the doors shut, frantically searching foranything.

The dresser chair.

I dragged it, jamming it under the handles.

The brutes outside battered into it, and I leaped back, heart lodging in my throat.

To my mercy the balcony doors remained unlocked. The bitter air nipped at my cheeks, the snow already melted, and come nightfall I imagined the wet stone would be ice with the temperature.

Hastily I climbed onto the stone railing, recalling the few maneuvers I’d used the first time, but like the last, I panicked, clutching the same ledge.

“Jump,” Nyte said, his voice fluttering in my chest like a reprieve I had no right to with the mystery he remained.

A loud bang of splintering wood left me no choice to even check if he was real or not. I closed my eyes as I let go, cutting through the air for mere seconds before I met the ground, surprisingly on my feet. My hands clutched Nyte regardless.

He didn’t release me. My lids snapped opened as I was pulled lightly, but my protest was smothered by his hand. My mind scattered to the other one that had slipped under my cloak, brushing over my abdomen while my back was pressed to his front.

Nyte uncovered my mouth, and I was close to choking on my pulse at the voices on the balcony we stood under.

“What a thrilling evening,” he remarked.

“Why are you helping me?” I breathed, bewildered by his reappearance.

“We still have a deal to bind—I can’t have you dying now.”

So that was real.I tried to process what he’d said. “You didn’t bind it?”

I should have felt his chuckle, but I only heard the low amusement. “No. I need something else from you for that. But I wanted to be sure of your willingness before I helped you any further.”

I turned, but he kept me flush to him. His finger pressed to my lips while his gold eyes flicked up. I had the urge to bite, but as if sensing it, his hand dropped while his mouth curled.

“I could cross you.”

“I could make you regret that.”

What am I thinking?

“Are you a vampire?”

That made his smile falter. It smoothed to dark indifference. “You already know more about me than you should.”

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