Page 32 of Bosse
If this strange woman did have an escape plan, he would get her to safety first, then run as hard as he and Titan could to find their own freedom.
What was she? No human female could have put the guards to sleep. He glanced over to where even Beast slept.
Magic.
Did he care? Not a damn bit.
His angel paused her ministration and made a ruffling sound, and then her hand appeared in front of his face. She held a raw steak. A big one. “Sorry, but you have to hurry.”
He took the meat and started eating. Then she handed him a baked potato. His mouth had been watering at a smell he was sure he’d imagined. He’d been more intent on finding out what she had in mind than asking what she’d brought him.
He took the potato, wolfing it all down as fast as he could without choking. A gourd full of water appeared next. He paused to take a deep swallow, then put it back in her slender hand, waiting for the container to be returned.
A pile of clothing was dumped in front of him.
She answered his unspoken question in her soft voice. “Those were the best I could find for a tunic and pants that would fit you. You won’t make it far without clothes. It’s from the servant supply area and belonged to someone Krol killed.”
Sitting up, he pulled the tunic over his head and drew back at the strong human scent, but that should help him if he really did escape. He was almost starting to believe this was not him hallucinating from lack of rest. Standing, he stepped into the pants that were a bit short but with baggy legs. He could move in them.
“Here. You can use this as a belt.”
He turned at her voice. She handed him a thin rope from where she stood a step away.
As he finished tying the rope, she leaned forward to ask, “Will you be healed tonight?”
“Yes, because you closed my wounds and fed me.” He dug around and found some manners. “Thank you for this and the food you brought other times.”
Sadly, his words surprised her. “You’re welcome.”
Bosse noticed the large cloth bag gripped in her hands. The ends of the material had been tied to make a sack. “You truly think we can escape tonight?”
“You have no choice. Youmustleave tonight,” she whispered. “Krol plans to make you fight two shifters at the same time after daylight. I did not hear what kind of shifters, but if you survive them, he will pit you against that one immediately after.” She’d tilted her head toward the rhino shifter and added, “He was furious at losing the Cape buffalo.”
Bosse kept his surprise hidden. The castle alpha intended to kill him after all.
He had known it in the back of his mind but thought Krol would not give up his best fighter. That was before the castle alpha exploded with rage after the Cape buffalo died.
Titan had said they should help her earlier, but his warning minutes ago about her lacking a scent made Bosse pause.
Was this woman leading him into a trap? Why? How would she benefit?
Had he gotten soft over some food and her attention to his wound?
He had questions. This was as good a time as any to ask. “Explain how you are here now without disturbing even the prisoners. I hear no shifters in their cages stirring.”
She gripped the bag even tighter and sighed with frustration. “I told you I have some gifts. I put the guards and other captives to sleep with a spell. I believe it allows for around three hours, of which we’ve probably used close to thirty minutes. We don’t have time to talk about all that right now.”
He heard no lie, but there were times he no longer trusted his shifter abilities to know the difference after so much abuse for years. If she was sincere about showing him how to escape, her words made sense.
He asked Titan,Should we trust this woman for a chance to leave here?
Titan replied,Like you, I trust no one, but I do not sense trickery from her. She tells the truth, but not all. We should try.
What did Titan think she was hiding? If it were important, Titan would say so.
Bosse let it go and went with Titan’s instinct. His conscience berated him for showing little appreciation in the face of what this woman offered and the danger she put herself in. “I have no idea if I can really escape this castle, but you are giving me a head start to try. Thank you for coming to warn me.” That sounded decent, right?
A mix of emotions from concern to worry played over her face. “Unfortunately, I don’t have all the information I’d hoped to have by now. I had intended to wait and help you escape once I found everything I could to ensure success, but Krol’s plans for you changed my timing.” She paused before adding, “Here’s what I do know. I can show you how to reach a tunnel hidden below the castle. The tunnel entrance is hidden behind stacks of wine casks that haven’t been touched in years because they leaked, ruining the wine. Once you get into the tunnel, go to the end. You’ll exit far enough away not to be seen from the castle.”
