Page 16 of The Prophecy
Chapter Seven
Something must have warned them. Or maybe Sorien was getting twitchy as her birthday approached.
Since Kael’s last visit, three days ago, they’d been checking on her every few hours. They just peered in through the door, not coming close. Most of them were afraid of her. But at least they brought her water. She had enough to drink and bathe. Not all of the fire-demons were as bad as their leader.
But perhaps, somehow, Kael was aware of the increased security. Maybe that was why he hadn’t come back. He knew her escape was impossible. But it was unlikely he would just leave her here and allow the fire-demons to fulfill the prophecy.
Which meant…something had happened to him.
She rubbed the spot between her eyes. Why couldn’t the stupid visions come when they were of some use?
Three days, and they’d been the longest of her life.
Her emotions constantly shifted between hope and despair and back again. She still hadn’t decided whether she would allow him to make love to her. Or even if she would go with him. Or the alternative.
Hours were spent trying to imagine Kael killing her. Actually, it was easier than imagining him making love. Or having sex. Love didn’t come into it. He would make it a quick death. It wouldn’t hurt.
Closing her eyes, she remembered the sensation of the knife at her throat. Just one sharp lunge and she’d be gone—well, as long as he followed through and chopped off her head—and the nightmare would be over.
Death or sex.
Ugh.
Except he wasn’t here. So it was pointless to keep thinking about her options. As usual, she didn’t have any.
And if he did come, then whatever happened would have to happen before one of Sorien’s men came to check on her. She didn’t want Kael to die because of her. Even if he was head of the horrible Council.
She was sitting on the ground, chewing on her fingernails, when she heard him arrive. The now-familiar flutter of tiny wings. Then the light flashed on, and there he was. Her heart rate picked up, a mix of fear and…she wasn’t sure. Or maybe she just wasn’t ready to admit it yet.
By her reckoning, there were still hours of daylight. And her guard was expected at any moment. She struggled to her feet, trying to reconcile the fear and the hope churning inside her. Her palms were clammy, her heart now racing.
As he stepped toward her, the breath caught in her throat. He lowered his head and she couldn’t move, was locked in place by some invisible force as his lips touched hers briefly, sending warmth radiating through her.
He raised his head. “How have you been?”
She blew out her breath. “How do you think I’ve been? I’ve been stuck in this crappy cell for three days. I’ve been…crappy.” The shadow of a smile crossed his face and her hands fisted at her side. “You have to go. They’ve been checking on me every few hours, and they’ll find you here.”
He shook his head. “I won’t leave you again. We go tonight. As soon as it’s dark.”
Raven searched his face and could see the resolve in his expression. But how could they wait until darkness? Her guard would be here any moment. If he found Kael here, he would raise the alarm and they would never get out, and any chance of freedom or preventing the prophecy would be snatched from her. Kael had to kill her. The prophecy could not come to pass. Panic tore at her mind.
The faint clang of a metal door opening warned her of the approaching guard.
“He’s almost here,” she whispered. “You must do it now.”
“Relax,” Kael murmured.
His expression was impassive, calm, and Raven had to bite back the scream that threatened to erupt. He looked around the cell, and then he vanished.
Raven blinked. She stared at the spot where he had stood and caught a flicker of movement. A small jeweled gecko darted across the floor. It clawed up the wall beside the cell door and went still, blending into the rough stone. The light went out and Raven sank to her knees, praying they would do no more than peer in the door.
The key scraped in the lock, and a moment later the door was flung open.
Crap.
Taking a deep, calming breath, she allowed her body to sag against her restraints, shaking her head so her long hair spilled over to curtain her face.
The cell was filled with light, and Raven closed her eyes. She remained motionless as the heavy footsteps crossed the short space. The stench of sulfur and smoke that always accompanied the fire-demons seared her nostrils, and fear blossomed inside her—a nest of cockroaches writhing in her belly. She swallowed the nausea of hatred that rose in her throat as the fire-demon came to a halt in front of her. He leaned down and grasped her hair in a claw-like hand. Her head was jerked upright, and she opened her eyes and stared into his face. His breath was hot against her skin, and she tried to hold her own breath against the stink.
