I’m chained up, Calix. I’m so weak and in so much pain.
The howl that barrels through the mind-link makes me wince, and a fresh wave of agony shuts off my senses.
Then it’s all black.
I wake to screams and shouts, louder than I’ve ever heard them before.
“I’ll kill her! I’ll slit her fucking throat right now!” a female screams, and I try to sit up.
What the hell is going on?
“Calm down and move away from the witch,” a male voice directs with intense disbelief.
The witch? Lexie?
I’m so fucking groggy. I can barely see in the darkness as it is.
“I won’t!” the female screams back. “I’ll do it, I swear to the Goddess!”
My head throbs, and my tongue feels thick in my mouth. Dried blood cracks when I open my mouth to breathe, and I wince as new blood trickles down my chin.
Fuck!
My door swings open, and I cover my eyes, praying it isn’t Faolan.
Please, anyone but him.
I can’t take much more of this.
“Blair,” a voice rasps. “It’s me. I haven’t got long.”
Hands reach for mine, and I let out a moan as my ribs splinter with pain at the sudden movement, but then my wrists are released. My shoulders slump with relief, and I turn to stare at my liberator.
“Leon?”
He stares at me, his eyes bloodshot and wild. “I’m fighting it, but not for long. I need to get you out of here.”
My heart soars as he lifts me into his arms, and I bury my head in his chest. He doesn’t even smell like my brother, but I know this is him. I push away the pain as someone shouts, “He’s taking the Seer!”
“Fuck, fuck!” Leon mutters as he climbs the steps, holding me tight.
Footsteps thunder behind him, and I grip onto him tightly, knowing if they catch us, he’s dead. Every step feels like a mountain. His grip slips, his arms trembling as if something inside him fights every step.
The air is thick, clawing at my lungs, and I can’t tell if the pounding I hear is his boots or my heart giving out. I want to believe this is my brother, but a voice in my head keeps whispering:What if it’s a trick? What if he’s delivering me straight back to hell?
“Leon,” I whimper.
“I know,” he says through gritted teeth, his fingers digging into my skin.
I cry out, and he lets out a scream of frustration, his movements slowing.
“No! Don’t stop,” I sob, lifting my head to look into his eyes. “Leon…”
“Now!” he roars, and I freeze, wondering if this is a trick.
Is he going to throw me down the steps?Is this how I die?
But something else happens. The world seems to hold its breath. For a heartbeat, I think he really might drop me down the stairs. Then?—