ears streamed down my cheeks, each one a silent scream against wha

ca

"I need to escape." It was t

smooth silver pendant with a swirly moon on it, felt heavy and warm against my skin as I slipped

was full, casting an eerie light everywhere. Fear threatened to paralyze me because

hed past my ears, terrifying but not as terrifying as the fear in my stomach. But

oars of my father's guards broke the silen

the guards' yells getting louder behind me. I knew the gar

a desperate attempt to pull away from his grip. I gritted my teeth, pulling

, angry voice cut through the nigh

second; before fleeting away, I growled at h

oice hoarse. "I'm not goi

t him. "There's nowhere to run, Layla. D

, dropping on the amulet around my neck. As if feeling the intensity of my emotions, the amulet started to glow, pulsed with a b

t that?" he stammered, his

ighter, wrapping me in a warm, white cocoon. The world spun, a

d stone floor pressing against my cheek, the smell of mildew and decay filling my no

s manor! I glanced around the crumbling brick walls, moonlight pee

f my father's hand felt like a fading memory

flooded me, but it didn't take time

, narrow alley was creepy, with walls that s

ng out my trail like wolves on the hunt. But where could I even

hing the amulet tightly, the only connection I had to my mother, I forced myself to my feet. Th

lence, the only sound in the creepy tunnel. I didn't know where I was g

of my lungs with each step. But then, a flicker of light cut th

e the light came from – a small, beat-up tavern with a crooked sign that creaked like a ghost in the wind. Relief and

ely see the people sitting around the tables. Their laughter filled the

nd a weird silence took over. The people, a bunch of rough-looking individ

ting to project toughness I didn't quite feel. With a deep frown, I appr

oice barely audible above th

ing me with a cold, calculating gaze.

thga

exactly a comforting place. Southgate was known for being a lawless fr

, leaving a few coi

for them. He simply flicked t

y," he rasped. "Especia

ece of fresh meat, made me want to run. Ignoring the prickling sensation

e shadows, every creak of the old buildings, felt like being stalked by a predator. I was sure about it.

est, as I plunged deeper into t