Page 6 of Captive

He said something to the serious one, gesturing to the letters. They discussed something briefly. As the conversation ended, Serious shot Novikke a hateful look, and she felt her chances of surviving this plummet.

“Get up,” Smiler said to her. His voice was rough and low and thickly accented. The sound of it sent a cold shiver through her, but the knowledge that she could communicate with them was a small—very small—relief.

She slowly climbed to her knees. The world still spun around her. When she paused to steady herself, Smiler grabbed her and dragged her to her feet. He turned her toward the forest and gave her a shove. She caught herself on a tree before she fell.

“Go,” he said shortly.

Go. Into Kuda Varai.

They were taking her prisoner. That meant that they weren’t going to kill her. Not right away, at least.

She stared up at the dark trees. People who went into Kuda Varai didn’t come out again. Being taken captive was not much better than being killed on the spot.

Maybe it was worse. Maybe she should have run. Maybe she should have let them kill her.

The elf shoved at her shoulder again. Not wanting to attract his ire again, she walked into the forest.

---