Page 77 of Empire of Ache & Ruin

Hunter: I’ll see you there.

Me: Thank you.

Hunter: I miss your beautiful face, Paloma. I miss your smell.

Hunter: I miss what we had before he showed up

I stare at his last messages. Hopefully, he doesn’t think my texting him today meant that I miss him too. In fact, the only times I’ve thought of him in the last several weeks is when Archer brought up his name in a fit of jealousy. I close the app and focus on the good news.

After today, Dad will know he doesn’t need to be sad because of me. I glance down at the phone and consider putting it back in Archer’s desk. But then, wouldn’t that prove that I am, in fact, his prisoner?

What if I ask Archer to take me to see Dad? Just because he said no a dozen times before doesn’t mean he’ll say no again. Oh please, who am I kidding? The man is impossible. He’ll say no just because he hates Dad. And as usual, he won’t even explain why.

I place the phone under my pillow then jump out of bed, heading to the bathroom. I need to shower and find suitable clothes for a quick hike in the snow. I have to leave before Archer comes home. I check the clock on the mantel and quickly outline my plan. I have seven hours before I have to meet Hunter. I can tell Mary Jane that I’m eating in my room at five and that I plan to go straight to bed afterward. On foot, I’m sure I can make it to my old house in under an hour. I’ll have to wait outside in the cold. But at least, if I leave early, I’ll get a head start on Archer.

By the time he comes to my room to demand I join him for dinner, I’ll be well on my way to the city. Archer won’t be able to stop me from seeing Dad.

* * *

I stand to the side,the epitome of politeness and innocence, while I wait for Mary Jane to arrange my place setting. My well-laid out plan is off to a late start, but I still have one hour before Archer comes home. If I leave now, I can still make it to the house on time. It’ll be dark when I cross the woods, but there’s no way around it now. If I leave through the front door and take the main road, I have no doubt Archer will see me on his way home.

“Thank you, Mary Jane. You can come back in two hours to pick up the tray.” I sip from the glass of wine.

“I should stay until you eat. At least this way, Mr. Archer will know that I tried with you.” The pity in her eyes cuts me.

“Look.” I sit down. “I’ll eat right now.” I cut a piece of the grilled fish and eat. “Hmm so good. What’s in this?” I take a few more bites. For one, I need Mary Jane out of my hair. But also, I’m going to need my energy tonight. “It’s really good.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” She smiles proudly.

“I’ll make sure and sing your praises to Mr. Archer.” I know I’m laying it on thick, but I need her to go now.

“I’ll leave you to it.” She nods. “I’ll have one of the girls check on you later.”

“Thank you so much.” I sit there and eat some more while she closes the door behind her.

When I’m alone, I grab the glass and take a bigger gulp of wine. A tiny voice in my head tells me I should stay and try with Archer one more time. But I already know what he’s going to say. Mainly because he’s said it multiple times by now. I finish the meal and wash it down with the rest of the wine then head out.

Earlier today, I put my snow boots and winter coat under the bed. No idea why. I suppose I had it in my head that Archer was going to barge into my room again and figure out my plan. I don the coat and boots, then stuff my phone in the inside pocket. By now, everyone should be busy in the kitchen preparing for dinner. So no one will notice if I slip out the back door that leads to the terrace and the gardens.

I’m too nervous to take it slow. As soon as I leave my room, I commit to the plan and take off running. My heart races like a team of wild horses when I open the double doors and the cold hits my face. I dart down the stone steps and head for the manicured part of the gardens. It’s dark as heck, but luckily, I know the way. For a moment, I consider that the back gate might be locked, but I don’t have time to go back and look for a key. Worst case, I can jump over the fence.

A cold puff of wintry air makes my coat flap around me. It’s snowing again. But despite the quiet and calm the white flurries bring, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m feeling followed. It’s all in my head, but still, I won’t feel better about leaving the house until I’m well beyond the iron-wrought gate.

The last time I was out here, it took thirty minutes to get to the edge of the property. Looking at my phone, I can see I’m making good time. Stopping to catch my bearings and my breath, I look behind me at the house with its high turrets and recently restored stone walls. The lights make it look like a castle in some fairy tale.

With a heavy weight in my chest, I push the gate open. No lock. It shuts behind me with a loud clank that nearly startles me out my skin. I point my phone up ahead to light the way. My old home is only two more miles through the woods. With a steady pace, I can be there by seven thirty. Archer won’t have time to get to me.

With one last glance at the house, I trudge on. There’s a clearing right after the tree line that protects the gardens. My boots sink about a foot everywhere I step. Like Archer said, the area out here isn’t maintained at all. The wind blows again, and I gather my coat around me. Even though my boots are the best boots Archer’s money can buy, my toes are frozen.

A growl behind me makes me turn on my heel. There’s a large animal, prowling toward me. And I can’t help but think of Archer and the way he stalks toward me when he’s hungry for me. I step backward, and the animal advances. I can’t tell what it is. He’s too far for me to shine a light in his face to scare him off. But he’s close enough that if I run, he’ll give chase.

“Okay doggie.” I put up my hands and step backward.

The beast growls again. Maybe I’m infringing on its territory or maybe he hasn’t eaten all winter. Whatever his reason for drooling like that, I don’t care to find out. I take off running toward the protection of the next line of trees.

“Help,” I yell when the animal decides to come after me. “Someone. Please help.”

I make it to the trees with tears rolling down my face. I don’t dare look back. It’s too dark to see anyway. When I take the next step, I hit something solid like ice. Please no. I point my phone at my surroundings, trying to figure out how off track I am. And then I feel it, the floor gives out from under me. My mind goes blank right before I’m plunged into darkness.

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