Page 70 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“Surrender, Keeper. The door is barred!” I said,deliberatelylooking away and pointing at the sanctuary’s front doors. The Keeper of Fate took my bait and threw her potion bottle at me.
By the looks of it … itwasmolten ash vane. I calmly stepped aside and let the bottle shatter on the floor behind me.
It looked like I didn’t need to use up a phoenix feather after all.
If I were John, I would’ve used this opportunity to capture her right away, but the master rogue waited. The Keeper of Fate stared at the bottle and then back at me. “You …”
“Anyothertricks?” I asked, tapping my foot to inspire John. Why was he waiting?
“All this time,” she said, her voice coming out as a hoarse laugh. “All this time,you were a bridge troll?”
“Yes?”
“YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!” She whipped her fan out. “DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE?!”
“John!” I shouted, dodging two poisoned air blades that narrowly missed my ear. “Now would be—”
The man was already on it, appearing from the floor and clamping a set of manacles onto the keeper’s wrists. Princess Contessa la Rouche of Ildsfeld changed from a tall black-haired human into a familiar blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman with enough charm to knock out a troll.
I should know; I could feel it in my gut.
“I’M GOING TO END YOU—Let me go!” The woman screamed her frustration and tried to break free of John’s hold on her manacles. It was useless with all of her stats reduced, but I took a step back anyway, bumping into Duke Julian’s firm chest.
It was a very nice chest.
“Miss Gerda.” Julian lifted one finger to push the blade of my axe away from his face. I hurriedly stored the weapon in my ring and stepped to the side.
Visha was with him, the elf immediately stepping forward to help take charge of the keeper. On the other side of the hall, Julia, Chloe, and Their Royal Highness had reappeared, and Grand Duchess Calisto was thanking everyone for coming, and reminding them that there would be a reception lunch in the dining hall in one hour’s time.
“I can’twaitto hear how you will explain this. But first—” Julian turned dark eyes on the keeper. “It is so good to see you again, Guild Mistress Alice.We have much to discuss, you and I.”
Alice stopped struggling against her bonds and turned my way. She didn’t spare the duke a glance, instead yelling at me, “You think you’ve won? These bonds won’t keep me, and Iwillcome for you—”
“I see we’ll have to do this elsewhere.” Julian cut off Alice by bending down to block her view. “You are under arrest by warrant of the Continental Council.” His voice dropped to an angry timber. “And youwillgo quietly or we will be forced to take drastic action. Visha, check with mother where she wants ourspecial guest.”
The celestial glared but kept her mouth shut as she was dragged away.
“Now, Miss Gerda.” Julian turned back to me, a pair of manacles dangling from the half elf’s hands. It was like something straight out of fanfiction art. Ialmostfought it, but Henrietta had spotted me and was on her way over. Besides, thanks to my own intervention, I couldn’t portal out even if I wanted to.
“I think you alreadyknowwhy I’m detaining you,” he said as he clasped the manacles around my wrists.
[Veralyn’s Enchanted Restraint Manacles:A modified version of the restraints designed for St. George’s Trials. Prevents access to all nonpassive Titles, Skills, Perks, Bonded, and Equipped Items. All Attribute stats capped at 15.]
I raised an eyebrow. “Because I’m brilliant and figured out who the mastermind was?”
“Among other things,” he stated.
“You didn’t need to manacle me to bring me in for questioning,” I told him.
“Are yousure?” Julian countered. “Whensomeoneeasily escaped my level fifty-four rogue yesterday?”
“Okay, that’s fair.”
“What is the meaning of this?” The Dark Lady had arrived.
“I’m just taking her in for questioning—”
“Questioning?Again?” Henrietta crossed her arms.
