Page 20 of Silent Oaths
Idon’t dare look back, butIcan hear them—footsteps pounding on the ground, low chuckles carried on the wind.They’retoying with me, letting me know they’re close.
“Youcan run faster than that, can’t you,Siren?”Theodore’svoice cuts through the night, taunting, like he’s enjoying every second of this twisted game.
Panictightens my chest and steals what little breathIhave left.Iduck beneath a low-hanging branch, the rough bark scraping my arm asIbarely make it under.Myankle twists slightly asIland awkwardly, butIforce myself to keep going, ignoring the sharp pain shooting up my leg.
Theforest opens, revealing a small clearing.Fora moment,Ihesitate, the openness making me feel exposed, but there’s no time to think.
“You’remaking this fun for us,Isabel,” a voice calls out, laced with amusement. “Keepgoing.Let’ssee how far you get.”
Ibite back a scream, tears pricking my eyes asIforce my limbs to move faster.Mythighs ache and my lungs feel like they’re on fire.
“You’vegot this,”Iwhisper to myself, a feeble attempt at encouragement. “Justkeep going.Don’tlet them win.”
Inearly trip over an exposed root, catching myself at the last second.Myhead spins.Ineed to find cover, but there’s nowhere to go.
Avoice drifts through the trees. “Wheredo you think you’re going,Siren?”It’sTheodore, but it sounds like he’s right behind me.
Ispin, heart hammering, but there’s no one there, just trees and shadows.
“Ican hear your heartbeat, corazón.”It’scoming from my left—or is it?Thesound shifts, slipping around me like smoke.
Iturn again. “Stopit!”Iscream into the night, but my voice feels swallowed up by the forest.
Maxwell’sdistinct laugh rings out, and it seems to come from above, as if he’s perched in the trees. “Aw, don’t be scared,Starling.Wejust want to play.”
Mylegs tremble, the overwhelming urge to collapse battling the instinct to run.Istagger backward, barely catching myself before tripping over a root.
Whyare they doing this to me?Thethought rattles through my brain.
Whatdo they want from me?
EversinceValeriaandIstarted looking into theWhitmores,I’vekept my head down, staying in the shadows.Iused my pseudonym for everything, but it wasn’t enough.
I’vebeen poking around whereIdon’t belong, digging into the family and the secrets they’ve buried for decades.IthoughtIwas being clever, outsmarting them.God, how stupid couldIbe?
Iwas bound to be caught eventually, wasn’tI?
Mystomach twists as a new fear takes hold.Ifthey’ve come for me, what aboutValeria?Isshe safe?Mypulse quickens as the thought hits me like a slap to the face.Ifthey’re after me, they could be going after her too.
OhGod,Valeria.
“Doyou think she knows where she’s going?”
Maxwell’slaugh follows. “Idoubt it.She’sjust running blind.Poorthing.”
Igrind my teeth, anger bubbling up alongside the fear. “Fuckyou!”
Branchesslap against my arms and face, leaving thin, stinging cuts, butIbarely notice.AllIcan focus on is the sound of their pursuit.
“You’lltire out eventually,”Juliansays, almost bored, like he’s certain of how this will end.
“Leaveme alone!”Ishout, desperate for this chase to end.
“Oh, but you don’t want us to leave you alone, do you?”Theodore’svoice slithers into my ears, andIcan practically feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek.
Myfingers curl into fists, nails digging into my palms asItry to steady myself.Mymind is racing, a jumble of panic.
“We’reeverywhere,Starling.There’sno escaping us.”
