Page 118 of The Cursed Kingdom

There’s no microwave or magic food warmer, though, which isn’t surprising. Kie seems like amy body is a templetype of person. Mason does, too, if I’m honest.

I watch the hallway down which Mason disappeared as I search the kitchen for a knife. I need to find a weapon, preferably before he returns.

I’m not dumb enough to believe I’d win in a fight against the shifter, especially not after seeing how quickly those wounds on his abdomen healed, but it’s possible I could best an unsuspecting faerie. They’re stronger than me on their worst days, so they won’t expect much from a human.

They won’t be on guard.

There are no knives on any of the counters, just my fucking luck, so I slide open the drawers instead. Each is filled with utensils that look like they’ve never been used, but I find a paring knife in the third one. I was hoping for a butcher knife, or even a bread knife for a sawing action, but this is better than nothing.

I pray it doesn’t cut my thigh as I tuck it into the waistband of my leggings.

My pants have seen better days. They’re shredded from the knees down, thanks to Kie and Mason, and there are a million tiny holes through the remnants of the fabric. Still, the elastic waistband has held up, and the knife presses snugly against my hip.

I move to the front door, returning to where Mason left me. It’s just in time, too, as he comes barreling back down the hallway a second later.

“Where’s Kie?” he asks. “I have a hard time believing he left you here alone.”

I shrug, looking Mason up and down. He crosses his arms over his chest as I eye him, and I swallow past the lump in my throat as I step closer.

I’m going to beg, and I hate that for myself.

“I want to go home, Mace,” I say, making a point to use the nickname Kie often uses.

Mason’s eyes narrow.

“I don’t know why Kie brought me here,” I continue. “But I want to leave. Can you show me out?”

I’m conveniently leaving out the minor detail that Zaha brought me to the human realm and Kie brought me back after discovering Lill. I need Mason to tell me how to get out of this compound. There must be an exit somewhere, a break in the tall, stone wall surrounding these buildings. What’s with the faeries and walls?

I take another step toward Mason. We’re practically toe to toe now, and I crane my neck back to look him in the eye.

Every muscle in my body is tense, and I do my best not to look too nervous as I place a hand on his chest. I’m wearing my gloves, so he lets me do it, and I clear my throat before curling my fingers into his shirt.

“Please show me the way out.”

Mason laughs. “Are you trying to seduce me?” No. I’m trying to appeal to the heart I’m confident he doesn’t have. He grabs my wrist. “It’s not going to work. You smell like shit, and I need to find Kie. I don’t have time to act as your tour guide.”

Asshole.

“Please, Mason,” I beg. “Kie’s upset about Zaha’s decision to crown you, and he tossed me in here before taking off to speak to his mother. You two have put me through enough, and I want to leave.”

Mason licks his lips, and I could cry when they then curl into a cruel smile. He’s not going to help me. I rip my hand out of his and take three giant steps back.

I need to get out of here. I may not be held captive to the extent Lill is, but I’m under no illusions of freedom. I need to get out of here before Kie returns.

I’ll figure out how to rescue Lill once I’m safe and hidden in a nearby city.

“You’re an asshole,” I say. “I want to leave.”

Mason blinks, then waves a hand toward the front door. “Then leave. I have no interest in acting as your tour guide, but I’m not stopping you from leaving.”

I shift my weight from foot to foot, trying to figure out if this is some sort of trick.

“You’re a smelly, starving human in a world full of faeries,” Mason continues, stepping into the kitchen. He pulls open what I assume is their version of a fridge and grabs what looks to be an apple. “If and when we wish to speak with you, we’ll be able to find you. I’m not worried about it.”

Mason’s too cocky, but it’s working in my favor for once. I press my lips together and turn toward the door, eager to get out of here before he changes his mind. I’m sure it won’t be too hard to find the exit to this place. I just need to be quick.

I’m not sure exactly what I’ll do or where I’ll go when I get out, but I’m resourceful.

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