Page 113 of The Demon's Discovery
“We need a plan,” I said, removing one of the vials from its pouch and lowering my volume, just on the off chance we were being listened to. “He didn’t bother searching me. I have a weapon. Elixirs. When will the guard come back?”
Hope brightened his eyes. “Truly? What an arrogant— In a couple of hours, probably. He likes to make a round, check that I’m still miserable every evening. After that, not until morning.”
“Alright. If I can get the keys…”
He shook his head. “I’ve tried. He’s got them secured. He’ll hurt you if you make a grab at them.” He massaged the knuckles of his right hand, as though they pained him remembering an attempt at just such a thing.
My heart pounded as I considered having to hurt the man who had done nothing more than undress me with his eyes and bring me a cup of water. I knew it was likely inevitable that I would have to hurtsomeone, perhaps even kill, but I’d never done anything like that before.
“How does he treat you?”
Ris smiled, but there was no humor in it. “There is no end to the cruelty he’s shown me. I was genuinely surprised he brought you water.”
“He’s probably been instructed to treat me well.”
“Perhaps.”
“How do I get back home?”
“A portal. If I were stronger, I could probably make one, given we were outside, away from all this iron.”
That was promising. If I could get us out of the dungeon, we might have a chance.
“I have an elixir,” I showed him the vial. “I think perhaps it can restore your health.”
He nodded slowly, looking down at his emaciated frame. “Quite the task, to be sure.”
I squatted down, carefully threading my arm between the bars. If I rolled it just right, it could make it across to him without breaking. “None of these have been tested,” I explained, suddenly overwhelmingly nervous.
“I trust you, Libelle.”
The unease crept up again, worry that perhaps I was the one being tricked. That maybe he was another fae in a glamour meant to gain my trust. I pulled my hand back in.
“What’s the matter?”
“I just… How do I know for sure you are who you say? I don’t know anything about the rules of this place, but I did see that man change bodies right in front of my eyes before he brought me here.”
He chuckled, a raspy sound that led to another bout of coughing. “Fair enough. Ask me anything.”
I didn’t know the first thing to ask him though. Any questions about my mother, he would probably know whether he was really who he said or not. I’d shown him my wings, so that was out too. “My mother, does she have any siblings?” I asked, unsure if I even knew the full correct answer myself.
He chuffed. “A great lumbering brother. We never met, but I saw him from a distance several times. Rowan called him Magnus. At the time, he had several children I’d never met either, but she spoke lovingly of them all, particularly one of thedaughters.” His eyebrows pulled together in thought. “Imogen, I think. It’s been a very long time since those days.”
I wanted to believe that it was proof enough. I’d given too much away earlier, trying to entice him into conversation, which was my own fault. I was already stuck here, and I hoped more than I wanted to admit that he really was who he said.
“Okay.” I reached out as far as I could and flung the vial low to the ground. It skipped over the rough dirt, making a sharp sound that had my heart stopping for a moment as it hit a piece of rock mixed in. The roll wasn’t nearly as good as I hoped though, and he was left to press his whole upper body against the bars, getting several stripes burned into him as he struggled to get a fingertip on the glass.
I held my breath as the sound of the first gate unlocking echoed down the hall.
“Shit,” he swore, and grunted as he pressed himself even tighter against the bars, finally getting purchase on the vial. “He’s early.” Once he brought it close enough, he snatched it up and slunk to the back of his cell. “What do I do?” he asked in a harsh whisper.
“Drink it,” I whispered back.
He hissed after a moment, the sound of the keys clanking indicated the guard was coming through the second gate. “Burns. Does that mean it’s working?”
“I don’t know.”
I backed away from the bars, sitting against the one solid stone wall. I took a sip of my water, hopeful he was bringing more but doubtful that was the case.
