Page 60 of A Court So Dark
As we stood in front of each other, the transfer token held tightly in my hand, Kalyll said, “I promise you one more thing. We will return here to this magical clearing so full of the best memories I have.”
“I would love that,” I said as I wished us back to Elyndell, back to the lion’s den.
CHAPTER 21
DANIELLA
Weappearedinanalley only a block from the sorceress’s home. The night was quiet, and if I was honest, the loudest thing was the pounding of my heart. I had halfway expected the city to be in disarray as Cardian sent guards in search of Kalyll, but the night was quiet. Placid, even.
Kalyll made a rumbling sound in the back of his throat as he scanned the alley. It seemed he didn’t trust the quiet, so maybe my unrest was not misplaced.
“What is it?” I whispered so softly that I knew only his Fae ears would pick up my question.
He shook himself. “Nothing. I think it’s safe to go on.”
That surprised me because I’d been expecting him to say that a full battalion was waiting around the corner.
He interlaced his fingers with mine and walked out of the alley, his back ramrod straight and his steps confident. I mimicked him. It wouldn’t do for anyone nearby to see us skulking around. That would only raise their suspicions.
When we arrived at the front of Naesala Roka’s place, we stood in front of a massive wooden gate—one that didn’t allow a glimpse inside the residence.
“Do we knock?” I asked.
It seemed unlikely that she would be able to hear us all the way from where the house sat. Her estate was of a considerable size with the stables close to this entrance, and the house set further down from here. Moreover, she didn’t seem to have any servants—not unless one counted the bespelled brooms and shovels I’d seen come out of the stables the first time we were here.
Kalyll shrugged, raised his fist, and rapped softly.
She would definitelynothear that.
“She’s a sorceress. She likely has a spell that lets her know when someone is at her door,” Kalyll said as if reading my mind.
He was right, of course, and I should’ve thought of that.
We waited. No response. Kalyll knocked again, but after a few minutes, I felt pretty certain no one was coming.
“Maybe she’s not home,” I said.
“Maybe,” Kalyll repeated as he examined the gate and the surrounding wall. “We shouldn’t stay out here too long. Someone will notice us.”
“What are you thinking?” I knew what he was thinking, but sneaking in hardly seemed like the brightest idea. Surely, it wouldn’t be as easy as just climbing the wall. For all we knew, she had demonic Rottweilers—or better yet, demonic raptors—stashed somewhere, and they would attack as soon as we started climbing.
Sure enough, Kalyll made a beeline for the wall and tested it for footholds. I rolled my eyes. Really?! Were all males this senseless in all the realms? I rushed to his side and pulled him down by his torn pants.
“What are you doing?”
“Obviously, she’s not here, so we just go in and wait until she arrives.”
“That’s if you survive her raptors.”
“What raptors?”
“You know, the ones that will tear you to shreds the moment you reach the other side.”
“Why would she have raptors?”
“For intruders such as yourself.”
He frowned. “Elyndell is a safe place. No one has a need forraptors.”
