Page 38 of Shadow of Death

You are not holding up your end of the bargain. You knew that wasn’t what I wanted.She was nearly screaming by the end.

I held my tongue, growing more terrified by the second.

The arctic air seemed to warm slightly. She was gone.

The only blessing was that I didn’t feel that darkness trying to claw at me from the inside for the first time in months. I wasn’t sure if it was muted or gone. At least if I did die, I’d die mostly me.

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall sooner than I expected, growing louder and more deliberate. I got to my feet, refusing to look scared when they came.

The door swung open and Varic appeared, flanked by two men pointing rifles at me.

“How did you do it?” he asked, his voice low and menacing.

I met his gaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I didn’t.” Denial was my only hope, and that was slim at best.

“Don’t play me for an idiot. How did you kill my father? I want to know what you did.”

I swallowed hard, but kept my chin up and my breathing steady. He might suspect it, but he couldn’t prove it. I’d admit nothing. “I didn’t—”

“Lies!” he screamed, his voice echoing off the stone walls. “You killed him, and you’re going to tell me how.”

I had to stay calm. I couldn’t fold. If I panicked, I was dead. “Varic, I didn’t kill him. I don’t know what happened to him. I walked over to introduce myself and—”

“Don’t lie.Everyoneknows what you are.”

Had Kicks told him? Was he awake and talking? Turning on me? I couldn’t be mad if he was. This wasn’t a betrayal. I’d killed his father. I’d expect no less. He’d heard things before, though, too. It could’ve been from Groza. Either way, I didn’t speak about it. I couldn’t afford to say the wrong thing.

Varic’s voice dropped. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll leave you here to rot. No food, no water. Just you and the darkness. How long do you think you’ll last?”

I forced myself to stay ramrod straight. Denial was my only chance. “I don’t know what happened but I didn’t kill him. I’ll sit here and rot, but that won’t change it.”

I took a seat on the ground, making my point.

They left, and I closed my eyes and pretended I wasn’t locked in the dark. I needed to remain calm and come up with a plan. But what?

Piper.

I opened my eyes at the familiar voice even as I couldn’t quite believe who I saw. “Widow Herbert?”

Yes.

“How are you here?”

I don’t know. I haven’t been able to reach you in so long, but then it suddenly felt different.

“I’m not imagining this?” I whispered, sitting up. Stuck here in this hole, my mind might come up with all sorts of craziness.

I’m really here.

Death blocked my abilities and now Widow Herbert was here? In blocking me, had Death somehow undone what she’d used to keep Widow Herbert away? It was too much of a coincidence.

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.”

Me too, honey. Me too. But I’ll be here to see you through. I promise if I can get to you, I will be here.

“I don’t know what to do.”

Can you access any of your abilities?

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