Page 50 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

"But aren't you curious? They say she has a brand on her right wrist-"

"I said next week." The temperature in the workshop seems to drop with his tone.

"Well! I never-" Footsteps stomp toward the door, followed by its slam.

I curl tighter into myself, pressing my face against my knees. He's here. He's actually here. After six months of running, of finally feeling safe...

A soft whimper escapes my throat. The walls press closer. I need to run. Need to disappear before-

"Ba!" Luna's voice pipes up from the workshop. "Mira sad?"

"Shh, little spark." Karn's voice is gentle with the twins. "Stay here with Nova. Play with your blocks."

My breath catches. He knows I'm here. Of course he knows - nothing escapes his notice in his own workshop. I should stand up, brush it off, pretend everything's fine. But my legs won't move.

Heavy footsteps move outside the storage room, and I press myself further into the corner, between crates of metal ingots. The brand on my wrist throbs with phantom pain, memories of its creation flooding back.

Screams fill my ears, making sheer fear crawl up my throat and nearly strangle me. I'm overwhelmed with what it was like to be under my old master's thumb, to feel like I'm back there.

I shouldn't have stopped running. I should have gone off this island. I need more distance and for him not to find me and-

I can't stay.

The thought pierces through the panic. The twins. Karn. They'll be in danger if I remain. Lord Duskfire will tear apart anyone who helped me escape. His golden eyes flash in my mind, that cruel smile when he branded me himself.

My fingers trace the rough wood floor, seeking something solid to ground me as I spiral. Six months of freedom. Six months of watching the twins grow, of learning to smile again, of catching Karn's violet eyes across the workshop.

All of it has to end.

I force myself to breathe deeper, quieter. But it doesn't stop my thoughts from spinning out of control.

The twins need their afternoon snack soon. I should make it for them one last time. Then, I'll pack some food while everyone sleeps. Leave before dawn.

I'll go before Duskfire can find me here.

But then I hear footsteps approaching outside the storage room. Heavy footsteps - ones I would know anywhere. Karn.

No. I can't face him. Can't risk him offering to help. He'd hide me, protect me - and Lord Duskfire would destroy him for it. The twins need their uncle. I won't be responsible for more orphans.

My nails dig into my palms. The pain helps clear my head. I need coin. Supplies. A new hair color perhaps. The port city is three days' walk - I could lose myself in the crowds there.

"Mira?" Karn's voice is soft through the door.

I bite my lip until I taste blood. Don't answer. Don't let him in. He'll see right through me, just like he always does. One look at my face and he'll know I'm planning to run.

The handle turns again. I press my face into my knees, shoulders shaking. My thoughts start to swirl again. Just go away. Please. Let me do this. Let me protect you all the only way I know how.

Running is what I'm good at. It's all I've ever been good at.

The door creaks open. But I guess Karn doesn't see me because then it shuts and I'm left alone, drowning my panic and regret and heartbreak. Because I dared to hope, I finally got what I wanted…

And it's going to crush me to leave it.

But I don't want them to know what I'm planning. So I need to get my shit together now.

I press my palms against the rough stone floor, forcing myself up. My legs shake, but I lock my knees. Deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. The panic ebbs, replaced by a hollow ache in my chest.

I smooth my skirts, brush the dust from my sleeves. Check my hair in the reflection of a polished shield hanging on the wall. Nothing out of place. Nothing to give me away.

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