Page 10 of Echoes of the Raven
“’Tis I,” he replies as he works on my bindings, quickly releasing my wrists and ankles.
“How are you…?”
“No time to explain. Let’s get outta here before we’re found.”
Once all the ropes are undone, he helps me to my feet. “Can you walk?” he asks as I sway on my feet.
“Yes.”
“Follow me. Quiet… like your life depends on it, ‘cause it does.”
I weakly shake my head and try to muster the strength to do as he says.
He leads me out of the alcove, and we step over a fallen figure and continue down a long dark passage, illuminated by torches sparsely affixed to the wall. I trip on the length of my dress and stumble a couple of times, but I manage to keep my footing. We come to another alcove, this one connected to three other passages.
Gaspar takes the one in the middle, his steps fast but silent. My feet are bare and cold, the heeled shoes I wore to the party long gone. At least it’s easier to move stealthily this way.
Wait, no! Something is wrong.
My mind reels with questions. How is El Gran Místico here? Who told him where to find me? Why is he helping me? None of this makes any sense. I come to a full stop, realizing that this is just another trick from Calierin, another espiritu-induced hallucination. Gaspar isn’t really here, and he isn’t leading me to freedom.
He turns to look at me. “What’s the matter, Princess? Need me to carry you? I’m not a young lad anymore, but I can try.” He attempts to wrap an arm around my waist.
I resist him, glaring at him with suspicion. “You’re not really here.”
He frowns, and it’s clear he thinks I’ve lost my mind. “’Course I am.” He takes my hand and squeezes it. “See, flesh and bones.”
Shaking him off, I take several steps back. “I’m not going anywhere with you. Your tricks won’t work on me anymore.”
“What did they do to you, niña?” There is a pitiful look in his eyes.
Tears come to me unbidden at the sight of his compassionate expression.
“I know it may be hard for you to trust anyone right now,” he says gently, “but youhaveto trust me. Promise you I won’t lead you astray.”
No. No. No.
I can’t trust anyone. The Romani betrayed me already. Esmeralda turned me in for a bag of gold after acting like my friend. But if Gaspar is the product of Calierin espiritu, how is she able to project him into my mind? She’s never met him, has she?
“C’mon.” He grabs my elbow and starts pulling me along.
“No!” I try to get free, but I’m too weak.
“Hush, girl!” he admonishes. “They’re going to hear us, and then we’ll both be trapped in these damn catacombs.”
“Who goes there?!” A deep voice comes from behind us.
“Saints and feathers!” Gaspar exclaims. “Look what you’ve done. I’m getting out of here. I suggest you follow me if you know what’s good for you.” He turns and hurries down the dark tunnel.
I stand there, frozen, unsure of what to do. I glance over my shoulder and notice the warm light of a torch moving closer.
“Who’s that?” the male asks, a veilfallen.
I make a split-second decision. Whether or not Gaspar is real, he is the only one offering to lead me to freedom. I have to follow him. Picking up my dress and holding it in trembling arms, I rush into the darkness ahead. I think I see Gaspar in the faint light of the infrequent torches. As my feet touch down on jagged rocks, the soles tear, and I struggle to muster the strength for the next step.
“Stop right there,” the veilfallen calls.
I come to a fork, and I have no idea which way Gaspar went. I look right and left, squinting at the darkness. Suddenly, a hand grabs my wrist and pulls me to the right.
