Page 29 of Hidden

Her mother’s smile was brief. “Of course. Thank you for doing your part.”

Lila looked from her mother to Ademar, whose eyes were closed again. A wave of uneasiness swept over her. Too much was happening at once. “We should let him rest.”

“For now, yes,” Galeeta replied. “You’re a good sister.”

Lila wavered a moment. “The graves in the forest—who do you think killed the wolves? Could it have been the Magician?”

Her mother shook her head. “I don’t know, but I will find out. There is a risk to our own security when such a crime is committed on our doorstep.”

Lila turned to go, but the servant and Rafe blocked her path. With a heave, the hooded figure dragged Rafe to his feet and shoved him toward the door. Her stomach a cold ball of dread, Lila followed the two into the corridor.

Galeeta shut the bedroom door behind them, leaving Lila to face her future servant and his guard. The hooded figure still held Rafe’s chains in its grip, keeping the wolf all but motionless. For a moment, the only sign of life was the rise and fall of Rafe’s chest. He’d closed his eyes, as if willing himself anywhere else.

Lila had a decision to make. She could feel the gargoyle’s hidden gaze fall upon her like a physical weight.

“Give me the key to his cuffs,” she said, putting a touch of iron into her words.

The creature produced a key that look ridiculously small in its claws. After it dropped the key into her palm, she hung it on her neck chain and tucked it beneath her shirt. She’d long ago developed the habit of keeping keys and amulets with her at all times—first as a girl with four older siblings and a diary full of childhood secrets. Nothing in adulthood had convinced her to change the practice—not where the fae were concerned.

She tried to look the hideous creature in the eye and failed. “Now take off his chains and that gag. If he attacks, you have my permission to put him down.”

After a moment’s pause, the servant complied with swift, economical movements. The gag came off first, then the chains slithered away with a rattle. The hooded guard gathered them up and stepped aside, clearly waiting to see what would happen next.

Rafe barely moved except to wipe away the feel of the gag. He regarded her with narrowed eyes. “You spoke up for me.”

“I just told the truth.”

“Even for a beast?”

He might have been gagged and bound, but he’d been listening. Lila frowned, thinking of the graves and that strangled cry he’d made. Grief was still there like a radiant heat, challenging the icy reserve of his expression. She didn’t blame him for keeping it private.

“Everyone deserves honesty,” she replied. “Even hungry wolves.”

“And now I am your servant.” He swept a bow as graceful as that of any fae courtier. As he straightened, he seemed to grow taller, as if even partial freedom had unleashed a dangerous power. “What is your command, my lady?”

The oh-so-polite words were sharp with barely leashed mockery. Lila pressed her lips together, locking his gaze with her own.

“Walk with me,” she said. There was a lot to do if she was going to play hostess.

He raised a brow. “Shall I stay five paces behind you? Isn’t that what a servant does?”

“I said walk, not stalk. I’m not a fool.”

They went a few steps in silence. Rage vibrated behind the wolf’s nonchalance. Rage and sorrow and a touch of fear, burning with unbearable intensity. Lila could feel that fury like the first rumble of a quake, ready to rip through his civil mask.

“You don’t want me,” he said, the words edged in frost. “Like you said, fae and wolves don’t mix well.”

The chill in his tone was more explosive than a shout. He was challenging her, proving he still had a will of his own.

She knew better than to take that bait. “I intend to get out of here alive and unbitten.”

“Yet you’re forced to take me on.” He gave her a steady, cool look that couldn’t quite hide what he was feeling. “Understand this—I want answers, and this way station is where I will find them.”

She stopped walking and turned to face him. “Is that meant to be reassuring?”

“There is a spell in the forest that won’t let me leave,” he said. “Your brother will try to kill me as soon as he can walk. You, of all the fae here, are willing to listen to reason, making you my best chance of survival.”

“Meaning?”

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