Page 65 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“I think I will.” There wasa hintof amusement in his voice as John followed me to the front of the sanctuary. Their Royal Highness let Master Thomas of Servalt out, then waved at me.
“Miss Gerda.” Their Royal Highness raised an eyebrow at my companion. “Lord Johnathon.Youaren’t on the list.”
The rogue monotoned, “I’m just here to watch.”
That sparked a light in Rowen’s eyes. “Then come in. You have until Her Grace arrives to search.”
The sanctuary was just as it appeared in my vision. I walked up to the third pew on the left and pointed at the back leg. “Here.” Then I pointed at a triangular stone in the pew on the fifth row on the right. “Here.” Walking over, I pointed at the tassel tie holding the curtains for a stained glass window covered in stars. “Here.” Then I pointed at the swirl of an armrest at the end of a bench two rows up from the curtain. “Here.”
From one end of the hall to the next, I pointed at every place I could remotely recall havingsomeform of pit trap, firewall, wolfsbane, mystery poison, plant attack, paralyzing smoke, electrical shock, magical cage, more wolfsbane, and another bramblebriar sack—this one tucked in a crack of the western wall.
Not all of the traps were still there … and there was a moment when Their Royal Highness turned a sharp smile toward me and asked how I could’ve known about the dais pit trap, since they’d already discovered it moments before I arrived. I’d been sweating as I said, “My ability lets me see traces of traps, but I can’t guarantee they’re still there.”
The half-truth had satisfied the fox, and they’d accepted my words. It was John who did all of the actual work of identifying and disarming each of the traps I pointed out, and for that, I was grateful.
I arrived at the front of the hall with eighteen traps total for my tally. But I wasn’t finished. Standing in front of the dais where Julia was supposed to stand, I closed my eyes, remembering the feel of my hand Voiding and the sound of outraged screams in my ears. At last, I opened my eyes and pulled a dagger from my storage, throwing it across the room.
Cold mithril touched my throat as John reacted to me drawing a weapon in the sanctuary.
My blade sliced through a candlestick on the small table that was set aside for the signing of the marriage license. A poof of smoke erupted from the candle, and a ninja appeared, bow and arrow drawn.
Their Royal Highness reacted the fastest, turning into a giant multitailed fox spirit and eating the archer while John caught the arrow with his free hand.
“I’m done,” I told the rogue, pretending like panic wasn’t building inside me from howclosehis knife was to my neck. How closehewas. John wasn’t taller than me, like my ex had been, but combined with the threat, it sent me over the edge.
“Apologies.” John lowered the blade pressed against my green skin and took a step back on his own. “And well done.”
I hid my shaking hands by gripping my skirt.
“Well, Miss Gerda!” Rowen turned back into their disguise and rejoined us. “I feel like I can safely say you’ve won this contest—”
“Oh?” Grand Duchess Calisto stood in the sanctuary door, her escort knights in tow. “Don’t cut me shorttooearly, Rowen.”
I curtsied politely to the woman, who smiled at me. “I will summon you if I don’t best your count, Miss Gerda. Thank you for joining in the contest.” It was a clear dismissal. I hesitated.
“Your Grace—” I broached. She raised an eyebrow but let me continue. “I understand that the leader of the Blackfog spies is a portal user?”
Calisto frowned. “Yes?”
“I’m something of a portal user myself—and ifIwere going to trap me, here is how I’d do it …”
I offered up my suggestions, and John, a shadow portal user, confirmed the idea. Her Grace immediately sent her knight to retrieve an arcane enchantment from her workshop while she got to trap searching.
I’d done all that I could.
CHAPTER 36
Anyone Intent on Murder, Do So Now or Hold Your Peace
Julian
“You look beautiful,” Julian whispered to his sister.
And she did.
Her long black hair was woven with tiny glittering gems like stars in the night sky. Her dress was cream white, with sleeves that fell off the shoulders. A single black fabric flower was pinned above her heart. She wore a plain gold locket similar to the silver one he had around his own neck. Each contained a portrait of their family and a gift from their late father behind an enchanted pane of glass.
“I’m ready.” Julia smiled up at him. Gone was the nervousness from the rehearsal.
