Page 123 of Kingdoms of Night

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not stupid—”

A loud mouth smacking cut him off.

Buttercup!Hawthorn chided.

Buttercup pricked her ears up.What? It smells delicious!

“Did one of you just eat something?” Idalno demanded, turning on them. Her eyes bugged as she gritted her teeth.

The door slammed shut behind them.

The pretty walls fell away, revealing dark wood etched with the faces of horrific monsters and grotesque creatures. The candles and lantern light dimmed.

A maniacal laugh shattered the silence.

“Welcome to my home, children.” An old woman’s voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, high pitched, lilting, and gravelly. “Had enough of the faerie court’s fun and games? I’m so glad you came to see me. I do love having company for dinner. Let’s have our own games, shall we?”

These don’t sound like fun games.Buttercup’s hackles lifted.

Why did you eat that meat?Hawthorn demanded.

I was hungry! Besides, how could they notice?

Apparently it was a trap,Hawthorn snapped.

As if you weren’t about ready to eat it, too. I saw you!

I had it in my mouth, but I wasn’t going to eat it until we were outside.

Oh, that might have been better.

Stop it, both of you!Feron shot them an angry look. He pulled Idalno over by the door as he scanned the walls for any sign of their dangerous host.

His muscles tightened, the Change pressing against his consciousness, promising strength and ferocity. But it was too dangerous in such close quarters. The last thing either of them needed was for him to accidentally bite Idalno and infect her with the fever.

“We’re very sorry, but we need to leave.” Idalno glanced at him, then swallowed, her gaze searching the walls. “Our apologies for the intrusion. But we really must go.”

“Oh, what a shame. Well, you can certainly leave if you so choose. Assuming you find the way.”

Feron tugged on the door handle. “This door is locked.” But there was no lock to turn on the inside.

“Well, of course it is. You didn’t think it would be that easy?” More laughter followed, bouncing off the walls. The scrape of claws grated against wood, yet no marks or shadows appeared.

Why couldn’t something be that easy for once? Just once?

“Can you tell us the way?” Idalno stepped forward, stopping when he put his arm out. He wouldn’t Change unless he had no choice, but he was still stronger, faster, hardier, and more perceptive than a human. He could keep her safer close to him.

More laughter followed. “Answer the riddles. They will be your guides. If anything may.”

He grimaced. Riddles? He hated riddles.

“You mean if we answer them, you’ll let us go?” Idalno asked.

“Of course not.” Another throaty giggle followed. “I’ll be playing my own game. And if I catch you before you find your way out, I’ll chop you up and make you into stew. Or maybe I’ll just eat you where you stand.”

Idalno frowned up at the ceiling. “All right. Tell us your riddles.”

A meat cleaver sliced through the air and struck the wall.

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