Page 23 of The King's Weapon

Fynn was the first to break their silence. "How did you escape?"

Kallie pursed her lips. She would not make this easy for them, for she wanted answers too. She tilted her chin up. "Answer for an answer."

After a moment, Fynn nodded his head and urged her on with a flick of his hand.

Kallie examined the trio before her. Fynn's twin was missing. "What did your brother do to me?"

"You fell asleep,” the woman said while she slouched on the stump, her knees spread, her arms hanging over them as she picked the dirt out of her nails.

Kallie chewed on her words. She remembered being surrounded by the group in the middle of the forest after she had almost escaped with Myra. Remembered the twin sneaking up behind her. He was the only one who had been near her when the darkness had consumed her. She recalled Fynn giving him the go-ahead. However, what exactly the man had done to her was unclear. She looked between Dani and Fynn. Something about him drugging her did not sit right with her. They were hiding something.

"How? Because I don't recall being tired."

Dani and Fynn exchanged glances. Dani shrugged.

"Terin put you to sleep," Fynn said.

Kallie's eyes widened. "Does your brother drug people often?"

"Only when necessary." His calm tone did not shake. It was as if it was all right for them to drug innocent people. As if it was a normal occurrence that shouldn't make her insides squirm. It did.

"Your turn," Dani stated. "And we won't ask again. How did you escape?"

A crooked smile rose on Kallie's face. "I didn't."

Fynn tilted his head ever so slightly, his right brow flicking up, scaling his forehead.

Kallie looked around her. "I'm here, aren't I? Not much of an escape, if you ask me." She blew a piece of hair out of her face.

Fynn narrowed his eyes as if he was trying to squeeze the answer out of her.

Kallie ignored him and asked, "Where's Myra?"

"With Terin," Dani answered.

"I want to see her," Kallie demanded.

"Not unless you tell us how you were able to leave the campsite,” Fynn said as Dani gave him a strange look.

Let's see howyoudeal with traitors, Fynn.

"Your brother betrayed you," Kallie smirked. "And helped me."

Fynn laughed.

"Terin would never betray us," Dani countered, her words filled with bitterness.

"Are you sure about that? He was fairly easy to convince. Didn't even fight back."

"And how did you manage that?" Fynn asked, his gaze unwavering, a smug expression glazing his countenance.

Kallie couldn't tell him the truth. First, no one was supposed to know she could manipulate people and command them at her will. Second, if she did tell them, she was sure they would make it even harder for her to escape when she needed to. So instead, she pushed her shoulders back, held her chin high, and gave the best answer she could muster. "I suppose he was just enraptured by my charm and beauty."

Dani snorted, and beside her Gray’s head fell onto his hands. A soft smirk appeared on Fynn's lips, the look of utter disbelief and amusement plastered on his face.

Kallie was missing something.

"Oh, I suppose that is so hard to believe?" Kallie asked.

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