Page 141 of Taken By Touch and Torment

“It’s not far,” I said softly, remembering every detail of Brennan’s instructions and the map I’d studied for hours last night.

“Forces are distracted, you’ll be fine,” Kallie said confidently, one of the few times she’d spoken. She regarded me almost pityingly, and it pissed me off enough to get me moving.

“Thank you for all the help,” I said.

They both nodded, staring at me curiously as I moved past them to the wavy red magick. I didn’t hesitate. I was done being meek and fearful.

I was ready to show this world exactly how strong it had made me.

I stepped into Hatham, and my ears popped. The buildings on either side of me were abandoned, their off-white stone walls scorched and crumbling.

The conflict remained distant, most of the sound coming from my right. I took three deep breaths, reminding my body that I was safe, even when my mind plagued me with visions of Rosalind’s lifeless body in the street.

This was the part of my journey Rune was most fearful of, but I’d been assured by Brennan that I wouldn’t be alone for long. He planned to send his own escort, one that wouldn’t raise suspicion.

I let the daggers at my waist flood me with confidence as I peeked around the corner, assessing the next street. No one but fighters dared venture to the border, so it was doubtful I’d casually stumble upon hungry vampires. Those were far more likely to be hanging around the mortal areas in the born districts. I shuddered at the reality those poor humans faced during a dire blood shortage.

Even so, I made sure my powers were as concealed as possible.

I spotted the tavern Brennan had described on the corner across the street, its sign reading Timot n edge when it should’ve read Timothy and Hedge.

I dreaded being underground. As helpful as the tunnels would be to my future escape, I wished it were possible to simply ride to the palace on a firebird instead. But vigilantes were shooting them down left and right, especially when they came from the palace. It was a vulnerable time to take to the sky in born districts. On the border most of all.

I crept past the tavern and turned down the next street. At the sound of movement, I froze, then quickly flattened myself to a nearby doorframe.

I peeked out left, then right. No one in sight, no more strange sounds.

My thumb brushed the hilt of one of my daggers underneath my long, black skirt.

Only one more block before the library. Less than five minutes before I was safe. Well, perhaps safe wasn’t entirely accurate. But at least it was a milestone of my progress.

One step closer to carving into Durian’s flesh, the same way he’d carved into mine.

The library had two columns out front, the stone structure mostly intact, though the door was busted through. My gaze darted all around before I entered.

The cobblestone streets were empty, only displaying evidence of past violence in the rubble and garbage strewn about.

As soon as I stepped inside, I felt sinister, cold magick that drove fear into the deepest parts of me.

Fuel. Use the fear as fuel. Do not dwell. Take another step forward, Sadie’s resolute voice whispered.

Bookcases were knocked over, the cool air smelling of mildew and ancient paper. The fading sunlight barely penetrated the dim space.

“There’s our lost lamb.”

The voice sent shards of ice to my heart. I didn’t stop walking, no matter how much I wanted to shut down. I kept moving toward the dark back room, where Lillian’s statue stood.

I didn’t stop, even when Aunt Carol stepped out from the darkness.

56

SCARLETT

Aunt Carol’s gaze sharpened to my neck, no doubt seeing Rune’s fang marks. “You disgust me.”

“Hello again to you, too.”

Her lip curled. At the sight of her palm twitching, I erased the fire from my eyes.

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