Page 114 of Born into Darkness

“I can,” one young man said, climbing off his bed, wobbling on his feet.

“Me, too,” said another. He stood as tall as Shadow and had the same muscular build but looked to weigh a few pounds less thanks to his lack of meals.

“Make that three,” said a third, an older shifter who reminded me of Flare in a way, but without the hostility.

None of these shifters were in any condition to fight. Poor things were like me when I’d escaped. Exhausted. Starving. Weak. I’d barely made it out alive. If it weren’t for Poseidon, I never would have made it out alive. These people needed our help.

“Come with me,” Shadow said. “Snow, you wait here with the rest of them until the guards are incapacitated.”

“What?” I said. “What if you need my—?”

“If you hear my whistle,” he said, giving me a quick kiss, “you know I’m in trouble.”

Fuck.Why was he leaving me here? I didn’t know what to say to them to keep them calm when inside I was a screaming, shivering mess.

The old Snow kicked inside me.Don’t be stupid. You’ve been held captive, you goose. Give them a rousing speech of freedom. Inspire them to fight for their safety.

Heck, she was right. I could empathize with them.

“Hello,” I said, my voice shaking. “My name is Snow. I’m the rightful ward of Tritonia. The evil witch who holds you captive is my stepmother.”

Several hisses rung out, along with quite a few growls.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I hate her as much as you do. She murdered my father, framed me for his death, and imprisoned me. On the eve of my execution, I was rescued by the people I am here with now. We’re going to take you to our secret base. Together, we’re going to fight the witch, destroy her army, liberate every single one of her slave camps, rescue your families and your people, and take back your lands.”

Cheers and fists rose in the air.

“Shh,” I said. “We can celebrate later.”

Screams sounded outside, and I hurried to the door. A few cabins to the north, guards and resistance members were engaged in a fierce battle. Swords clashed and slashed. One struck a resistance member in the stomach. Another cut down a guard. The commotion attracted the attention of more soldiers, who rushed from their bonfire to join in the fight.

Coldness spread through me.

“Hurry!” I shouted. “My friends need your help.”

When no one moved I screamed, “Your freedom relies on this!”

I didn’t stick around for the cowards, bulleting out of the cabin and down the steps. Pulse stampeding like a frightened horse, I held my dagger at the ready. And my magic if need be.

Footfalls sounding behind me told me that a few shifters followed me.Thank the sea god!

Up ahead, soldiers swarmed around the tiny group of resistance members. Axe swung his weapon, hitting one guard in the stomach. Hunter stabbed another with his spear. Grimm slashed his sword like he was chopping hedges. Shadow, Flare, and Phantom threw themselves into the melee.

Shifters screamed from inside their camps. Windows smashed as they broke them down, sticking their hands through the bars. Doors thudded as the shifters tried to smash them down.

Obviously, I wasn’t going to last long in a fight against a soldier with just a dagger. So I hurtled to the next cabin, jamming my weapon into the lock and unlatching it. The shifters inside tore the door open, pouring out of the cabin, knocking me aside. Soon, they crowded outside. Some joined in the fight, jumping onto the backs of soldiers, bringing them crashing to the ground.

Proud of my effort, I went to the next hut. I had stuck my knife in the lock, when the cold steel of a knife grazed my throat. My stomach turned rock-hard.

This was not how I was meant to die.

“Aren’t you a pretty one?” the guard said, running his filthy fingers along my thigh until he cupped me between my legs.

Insulted, I jammed my boot down on his foot, and he yelped. Then I slammed my elbow into his chin. He flew backward, clutching his face.

Shifters that I had freed lunged at him, one choking him with an elbow, the others beating him with fists.

With no time to waste, I moved back to the door, finished picking the lock, and freed the trapped shifters.

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