a

d my head back against the cool wall, trying to map out a plan, any pla

boy. I noticed his breathing had change

le closer. In the stark white light, I could see a feveri

out a hand. "Let me just see

ll away completely. His big, dark eyes w

ed against his forehead, I

spered. "You'

asn't a game anymore. A child this young with a fever this

oor was a lost cause-I'd already bruised my fists screaming for help to no avail. They weren't guards; they were Seraphina's hounds. I couldn't let them find him l

dult to fit through, but

r. It was rickety and covered in dust, but it was our only shot. I dragged it across the flo

oy. I made my voice as ca

you out of here. I'm going to lift you up to that window. You're going to climb out and look,

rching my face. Then, to my astonishment, a flicker

is tablet, setting it carefully on the armchair. Th

ning my chest. I carefully scooped him into my arms. He wa

holding him securely against my hip. The old w

small, trembling hand to the latch, but his fingers slipped, weakened by the fever. Gritting my teeth, I reached up and forced the rusty me

glow of the main street at the far end. It was his only ch

eathless. "Now, climb out. Find anyone in a unifor

a second, I saw something in his eyes-not just fear,

was gone, scrambling through the opening and sliding

over me. I started to cl

AC

wooden rung beneath my foot splin

y balance vanish

n crate. A blinding, electric pain exploded from th

a kaleidoscope of black

The screech of tires. The shattering glass. The agonizing cramp

iling to protect him, of being cast back into this familiar helplessness, curdl

choked out their names, t

a victim. I would get my revenge. I would

thought before the dar