Page 37 of Given to the Fae
It isn’t the first time.
There’s nothing to be frightened of.
‘Put her in the block if she’s already struggling.’
I squeal as Locke picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, my calming mantra disappearing from my mind.
Not the block.
I struggle against him fruitlessly with a low cry, but he doesn’t slow. I look around frantically, trying to find something I can use, and my eyes latch onto a sizeable chunk of wood that looks like a piece of the roof that’s fallen at some point. It’s balanced atop the thick main beam that goes across the barn. I grab for it as we go past, and it slides into my hand. No cries go up, so I don’t think I’ve been noticed. I wait until we’re nearer the large doorand the blockbefore I strike.
I bring the wood down hard on the top of the fae’s skull, and he lets out a yowl, dropping me like a hot stone. I fall to the ground on my arse and, before any of them even know what’s happening I’m up and darting through the door, using every ounce of strength that the healing potion has given me.
Outside is too bright and I shield my eyes as I break into a run. Every moment is precious. I take the alleyway to the first busy street, passing grey stone buildings with wooden doors that all look the same. As soon as I get to the end, I slow to a brisk walk. A running slave draws attention, but one doing an errand quickly for a master is barely noticed at all.
I reach the square I saw from the hill on the way into town yesterday. The great arch of this world’s second Gate rises from the earth in the center. I stare up at it, breathing quickly. When does it open? Maybe I could wait here and run through when it does before anyone can stop me.
And go where?
The foolishness of my impulsive actions makes me tremble as I press myself into an alcove by the side of the biggest building by the Ring. I double over in my panic, gasping for breath, unsure if I'm going to wretch or faint.
What have I done?
Perhaps I could go back. I have to go back.
I’m shaking as I turn in the direction I came from, and a dark shadow falls over me. I scream and turn to run from him, but Bere’s man grabs my long plait and drags me toward him slowly, almost carefully.
‘Silly, silly human,’ he rasps in my ear. ‘But methinks that’s not all you are.’
He pulls me into the narrow dead-end between the stone buildings and urges me against the wall very gently.
‘I’ve been watching you,’ he murmurs, the ghost of a smile turning up the corners of his mouth as he looms over me. ‘But I’ll wager you haven’t noticed me, eh?’
I shake my head jerkily, frozen in place and ensnared by his eyes. I know I should look down, but I can’t.
‘Do you want to know what I’ve seen?’
My lips are trembling, and he continues without my response.
‘Why, I’ve seen some accidents happen since we weregivenyou at The Barrack, more than can be attributed to bad luck or clumsiness in my humble opinion,’ he snorts, ‘even when it comes to inept oafs like Silve and Derth.’
My eyes stay glued to him in fear.
‘What do you suppose all these little incidents have in common?’ he continues easily, as if he hasn’t captured me in this alley and I’m not a runaway slave.
I don’t answer, my mind numb with dread.
‘That the little human female, who the other slaves seem to avoid, was hurt.’
He brushes the hair out of my face, chuckling when I recoil against the wall.
‘I’ve heard stories of the rare Kismet, but never dreamed I’d possess one, especially not a human. It takes a certain sort of creativity to utilize a Fate Touched, I think. Gods, no wonder those fools at The Barrack wanted to be rid of you. They’d have no idea what to do with you.’
He presses closer to me.
‘But I do,’ he pants, his hard breaths telling.
He’s elated, excited by his thoughts…his plans.
