Page 107 of A Shard of Ice

“You are far too valuable to do either of those things. I’m going to keep you, at least for a while. For as long as you are useful to me.” She shrugs.

Useful how?

Where is she going with this?

“More on that shortly. Right now, I want to know if Elsie and Merna knew who you were. You were staying with Merna, and Elsie helped get you a position here at the castle, cleaning rooms. Were they in on this whole thing? I need to know who to punish.” Her eyes narrow. “I want the truth.”

Kakara be with me!

“Elsie and her family had no idea.” I think about Elsie’s husband and her kids when I say the word “family.” I pray that Snow will include Merna as part of the family. “I found out all about them from Damon.”Truth.I have to tread very carefully. “He told me enough to be able to pretend to be Sindy, Elsie’s cousin. I was welcomed with open arms. They believed everything.” All true. “What are your plans for me? I’m sure there will be blood involved. I’m not going to tell you anything of importance, so you may as well kill me now.”

“I told you, you’re far too valuable, although I might maim you just a little. I will get the information I need one way or the other.”

“You can do your best.”

She frowns. “If torturing you doesn’t work, we can start on Elsie, her children even. I mean, they don’t need all their fingers and toes, do they? I’m sure you’ll talk. Especially if I make you watch.”

Fear rises in me. I don’t say anything. I can’t. She would know I was lying in a heartbeat.

Snow smiles. It isn’t as beautiful as I first thought. Certainly not angelic; it’s pure evil. “Your silence speaks volumes. No…no, dear Kyrie. I can’t do too much to you right now. You will be my bait. I will send word that I have you. I will make sure that everyone knows. That the news is spread far and wide. What do you think will happen when Damon hears?”

I try to hold back a gasp.

She laughs. “Exactly. He will come running. He’ll come back to me and right into my arms.”

No!

That’s just it; she’s right. He will come. The moment Damon finds out that Snow is onto me, that she is holding me captive, he will come to rescue me and get himself captured in the process. All will be lost.

I can’t let that happen.

I won’t. I formulate a plan. It’s terrible. The worst, but I can think of nothing else. If she doesn’t have me in her clutches, then she can’t get to Damon.

I push my shoulders back and take a step toward her, narrowing my eyes.

37

Damon

I open the door that leads to the closet. My breath is coming in pants.

The fae steed I rode in on was lathered in sweat and blowing hard when I left him. I didn’t even untack the poor beast. Neither did I put him into one of the corrals, just in case I don’t make it back. At least he will be able to trace the way out. There was just no time for anything more.

I pray I am not too late. The churning in my gut tells me otherwise.

I snuff out the lantern, putting it on the shelf. I pull up my hood but don’t bother checking both ways before leaving the closet. I exit and walk toward Merna’s house, going as fast as my legs will take me. I have to keep telling myself not to run. It might look suspicious, and I can’t draw unnecessary attention to myself.

I finally reach Merna’s door. All is quiet, but then again, it is getting late. Folks might already be in bed by now.

Please let Kyrie be here.

Please.

I knock as softly as my frazzled nerves will allow. I’m shocked when Merna opens up almost immediately.

I go in, closing the door behind me. “She isn’t here, is she?”

Merna’s eyes are red-rimmed. She sniffs and shakes her head. “The guards came to fetch her, Damon. How did you know she was in trouble?”

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