Page 112 of Owned

I had to leave.

I had to get out.

I didn’t care where he took me—just that I could leave.

Escape.

With trembling hands, I dressed swiftly, each movement purposeful.

There was no time for hesitation—and there was no way to know how long that window of opportunity would remain open.

I rushed to the door and wrenched it open.

I half-expected to see one of Lucian’s silent guards standing outside my door, but the hallway was empty and dark, and the grand staircase yawned in front of me.

I paused for a heartbeat, listening—for what, I couldn’t say.

The house was hauntingly still and its silence was heavy.

Shadows danced along the walls and moonlight entered through the windows and turned every surface a ghostly silver.

Just like my dream.

“Careful…”

Shut up.

The grimoire’s chuckle was dark, but I had to ignore it.

As I crept down the grand staircase, every step beneath my feet threatened to betray me with a creak. I held my breath as I rushed down the stairs and clung to the wrought-iron railing to keep from giving away my movements.

A flicker of movement caught my eye—a curtain swaying gently in the breeze from an open window, or perhaps a trick of the light. My heart stuttered, and I froze, straining to hear any sign of life.

I had to be careful.

Every second I lingered was a second closer to capture.

I had to get to the garden.

Valen had laid the path for me in my dream.

It was still clear in my mind.

When my feet hit the flagstones of the main floor, I almost ran toward the side door. Using the grand entrance was stupid—I’d be caught in an instant.

The hallway was dark and quiet.

Where was everyone?

I muttered a quick ward as I laid my hand on the latch and pushed the door open.

The world outside was cloaked in silence and the air was cold and crisp.

The leaves on the tree just beside the door trembled in the faintest breeze, but there was no other sound.

I couldn’t stop now.

I clenched my jaw and forced my legs to move.

---