Page 125 of Kingdoms of Night

“Bestest seasoning

Works ‘gainst reasoning.”

Feron scowled. There had been no lie in her voice when she’d said it was their way out.

He’d never been much for poetry or riddles, but surely it was obvious what the biggest threat here was?

Feron cleared his throat. “I feel like the answer is clearly you. You’re the biggest threat here.”

“Oh ho ho.” She ducked her head, grinning with those stark-white sharp teeth. “You flatter me. Just for that, I’ll let you decide which part of you I eat first.”

“All this delicious food”—he indicated the heavily laden table—“and you want to eat me, seasoned in lake water, algae, and dirt?” Despite engaging her chatter, his every sense remained on high alert. One wrong move from her, and he’d be ready to strike.

The witch winked. “What’s the point of having company and not having them for dinner?”

“Good conversation?” Idalno suggested.

“Oh, but I’m getting that right now.” She tilted her head and grinned. “And I’ll continue to get it. It’s why every smart witch knows to play with her food. And Black Annis—that’s my name, dearies—Black Annis knows how to geteverythingshe wants.”

Sweat dripped down the back of his neck.

He ran the riddles back over in his mind. He actually couldn’t even remember the words except about eating and leering. Maybe something with crawling blight and creeping silence.

Why was she doing this? Why would she even give them the chance to escape by answering?

Maybe if he hit her really hard, she’d be stunned and they could break their way out. But a fight would be risky, all the more so if he had to Change, and there was no certainty of survival. If there was a chance they could answer the riddles and leave without fighting, then they had to at least try.

“Do you remember the riddles, Idalno?” he asked.

“I’m working on it now.” She gave up trying to wrench the cleaver from the wall and flung her hands up in the air.

Black Annis sighed as if she had all the time in the world. “You two children are so much fun. Much stronger and faster than most of my meals. Then again, you look a little older than ten.”

“You eat children?” Idalno’s mouth fell open. “How could you?”

“Usually plain or with a little salt and onions. I’m not much for fancy things.”

The small shoe they’d found reappeared in his mind’s eye. There was no question this Black Annis was evil, rotten to the core.

Idalno looked to him, her eyes wide. “This conversation makes me exceptionally uncomfortable.”

“Oh, good,” Black Annis responded. “That’s the best kind. Witches love uncomfortable conversations.”

She’s the bad kind of witch,Hawthorn said, while Idalno and Black Annis went back and forth.

Do you think she eats wolves?Buttercup asked.

She looks like she eats anything she can get ahold of.

I don’t think she’d taste good. We won’t have to eat her, will we?

Hawthorn kept his teeth bared as he snarled.Hope not.

Unless we see a good opportunity,Feron thought to them,we’re just going to hang back here and figure out what the best solution is.

He glanced back at the door behind them. It had seemed solid, and his limited knowledge of magic left him fairly certain the door wouldn’t break easily.

The riddle held clues to their escape, but he couldn't even remember it now. He’d need to take a better look at the door. What they needed was a diversion. Slowly, he leaned closer to Idalno and turned his face away from Black Annis.

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