Page 80 of The Cursed Kingdom

My heart pounds, but I don’t have time to waste. I spin, hurrying away. The pair continue fighting, their voices growing louder as they take turns insulting one anotherandme. I’m catching a lot of fucking strays, and Mason’s giving me far more credit than I deserve.

I’m not the mastermind manipulator he seems to think I am, and I don’t see the protection he’s insisting Kie is giving me. The faerie is mildly kinder than Mason, but that’s as far as it goes.

He’s just not going out of his way to torture and frighten me as Mason does.

The arguing grows quiet with distance, and my footsteps quicken with every giant tree I put between us. The second I can no longer hear them, I begin to sprint. I don’t have much daylight left, and I intend to take advantage of what remains.

I run in the direction we were headed, hoping to cross into the troll territory. Despite what Mason said, I’m choosing my luck with them over the shifters. Kie said the trolls are bad trackers and easy to kill, which is really all I need to know.

I don’t stand a chance against the shifters.

My muscles burn as I push forward, specifically my chest and legs. I’ve never been exceptionally athletic, but I am today. I ignore the aching in my knees as I fly over small twigs and logs, desperate to put distance between me and the princes.

I doubt it’ll take long for them to realize I’m gone.

They’re faster than I am, and I know I’m leaving a trail behind, but once I’m confident in the distance between us, I’ll slow down and work on leaving less noticeable tracks. I’m praying Mason’s too injured to shift into his animal form and track me down.

Chapter Thirty-One

ABBY

I FEEL LIKE I’ve gotten away with murder.

I run until my lungs are about to explode, and even then, I continue. My paranoia is at an all-time high, and I’m terrified Mason’s going to appear out of nowhere and pounce on me. I doubt he’ll hesitate to sink his teeth into my throat, ripping the flesh and killing me before I even know what’s happening.

Every breath I take erupts out of me in short, loud bursts. My middle school track coach would probably keel over if he saw my poor technique, and I can practically visualize his bushy, gray eyebrows furrowed together as he shoots me his signature disappointed frown. He was intense.

“Fuck,” I gasp, dodging a long branch.

It smacks my forehead, and it stings far more than it has any business stinging.

We got a later start today, thanks to Mason and his bleeding all over the ground, and I grimace as I eye the sun’s position on the horizon. I don’t have much daytime left.

Another branch threatens to smack me in the face, and I grunt as I pivot at the last moment and dodge it. It’s hard to pay attention to what’s in front of me when I’m also trying to keepan eye on my surroundings, and my poor forehead is paying the price.

These branches keep appearing out of nowhere, and I know it’ll only worsen as the sun sets. I can move quickly when I can see where I’m going, and even with my flashlight, I’ll need to slow down considerably.

My feet slam against the ground, and tiny shocks of pain vibrate up my knees. I wish my bandages were tighter, but all in all, I’d say they’re holding up pretty well. Mason stole my best first-aid supplies and stuffed them into his bag, so I’ll have to make do with the small bits I have left.

The sun sets, and my pace slows to a hurried walk. My body can’t continue running, but I try to keep a quick pace. I have to. I’d be dumb not to realize just how much of a natural biological advantage Kie and Mason have over me, and I can’t let myself falter for even one minute. Every second counts.

My gaze darts back and forth, searching for any hint of the princes—or trolls. I don’t see anything amiss, and several birds are still chirping loudly from the treetops, but I can’t rely on the birds to inform me when danger is close.

Eventually, I have no choice but to pull out my flashlight. It acts as a beacon, and I hunt through my bag before pulling out a clean pair of underwear and wrapping it around the top to dull the light. It’s better than nothing.

My nerves spike as it darkens, and I find myself searching for Kie and Mason more fervently. There’s no way they haven’t found me. They’re toying with me, no doubt watching me struggle from somewhere nearby.

I bet they’re having a grand fucking time doing so, too.

Bastards.

Something wet lands on my cheek, and I groan, looking up. Another raindrop lands on me, splattering on my forehead. Itwas cloudy today, but I didn’t think anything of it. Rain isn’t exactly at the top of my mind right now.

I’m sprinkled on as I trek forward, but the frequency gradually picks up until it’s properly raining. The light from my flashlight reflects off the water clinging to the plants surrounding me, giving everything an eerie look.

Despite how much I hated traveling with Kie and Mason, I have to admit I was less afraid of my surroundings. I was constantly looking for shifters, but the spookiness of walking through a forest alone at night was lost on me.

I’ve never been a lover of the dark—or the unknown.

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