Page 19 of Silent Oaths
Theodorethrows his head back, a cruel laugh escaping his lips. “Sucha curious little siren.”Heturns to his brothers, and they exchange a series of knowing smiles.
Theway they look at each other—like they’re all in on some horrific secret—sends a fresh wave of panic rippling through me.
Theodoredoesn’t bother facing me as he speaks again. “Youhave a ten-second head start.”
9
ISABEL
Tenseconds.
That’sit.
Idon’t wait forTheodoreto explain further.Mybody moves on instinct, adrenaline flooding my system asIprepare to bolt.
Mylegs push off the damp grass, andI’mgone, plunging into the darkness of the forest.Myheart slams against my ribcage as the cold night air bites at my skin.
One.
Thetrees loom above me, skeletal shadows stretching across the ground like twisted fingers.Theforest is dense, the underbrush snagging at my ankles asIpush through it.Idon’t care about the scratches blooming on my skin or the sting of branches whipping against my face.Ijust need to get away.
Two.
Thesound of my heartbeat is thunderous in my ears, drowning out everything else.Butthen,Ihear a distant rustle of leaves.It’sfaint, but it’s enough to send my pulse skyrocketing.Arethey coming already?
Three.
Theearth beneath my feet shifts unpredictably.Rootsjut out like hidden traps, andIalmost trip over one, stumbling forward.Icatch myself just in time, but my momentum falters, andIwaste precious seconds finding my balance.
Four.
Theforest is alive with sounds—crickets chirping, the distant hoot of an owl, the whisper of the wind weaving through the trees.Butunderneath it all,Iswear,Ican hear footsteps.
Five.
Iglance over my shoulder, and for a split second,Isee nothing but the outline of the mansion in the distance.Iforce myself to keep going, pushing past my burning legs and the ache in my chest.
Six.
Themoonlight filters through the canopy above, casting fractured beams onto the mossy floor.Icling to those small patches of light, letting them guide me forward.
Branchessnag at my hair, pulling me back, as if the forest itself is conspiring against me.Itear myself free, biting back a curse.Mylungs burn, and every breath feels like fire, butIcan’t afford to slow down.
Seven.
Eight.
Ican feel them.Idon’t know how, butIcan feel them behind me.Theweight of their presence presses against my back like a physical force, urging me to run faster.
Nine.
They’recoming.Mymind reels, frantically searching for a plan, an escape, anything.Butthe forest is an endless labyrinth of trees and shadows.
Ten.
Thecrunch of leaves and snapping branches behind me turns into a thunderstorm of movement.
Fuck.
