Chapter 9
Alifair stood in adark shadow created by the stairwell and watched Bosse until he crossed the room to the kitchen.
She wanted to go with him more than she’d ever wanted anything else, but her life had not been her own since the day she was born. Wouldn’t it be nice to escape and meet up with him just like the picture she’d painted for him?
Of course, she would do all in her power to escape, but thankfully, he had not asked what her chances were of getting Rez out first, then herself.
If she’d told him the truth, he would not have left. She touched her lips. Had she really kissed a shifter? She hadn’t even thought about that when Bosse leaned in to kiss her. The men she’d known had been more disappointing than enticing, and no one had put her first. If she’d said the word, Bosse would have abandoned his escape to help her find Rez, even willing to take them both with him.
What man suffered two years of hell and put her safety first ahead of racing for his freedom?
An honorable man.
Her clan had been wrong about shifters, at least some of them.
It didn’t matter if he shifted into a wolf or not. Bosse had a good core. He could also detect a lie, so she’d stuck to stating her simple plan and directions. She’d told the truth about needing to stay to find someone. The rest had been bits and pieces of truth.
She had no idea if she could escape or not.
She wouldn’t bet a plugged nickel on her chances.
Turning, she hurried through the main hall but stayed close to the walls, careful not to step on a sleeping guard. This place was so medieval. Yes, it was built during that period, but anyone in today’s world would want heat, plumbed water, and power for electric lights.
Water had to be hauled inside from a well.
Her clan lived somewhat off the grid, but they had modern conveniences.
Krol lived in another time in his messed-up head. Had he been named Krol or just taken that moniker because it translated to something sounding like king?
To his credit, he’d chosen a perfect location. The lion shifter could not have this enterprise near any major city or town. He had to be in the middle of nowhere to limit contact with the outside world. She’d learned that shifters living secretly in the area made good money supplying the castle with fresh game and hiding his secret.
Why would they tell anyone and lose their income or their lives?
They even helped him by stealing humans. Krol and his men captured shifters to abuse and use as entertainment.
What about that flying creature? Had he stolen it?
She didn’t think so. He’d left alone and had been gone for close to five hours before returning with what appeared to be a well-trained frankenbird. He must have gotten it from someone powerful enough to create a unique monster.
Why? What purpose did Krol have for his new creature?
She’d heard enough of his ranting before he left to know he was bringing back something that, in his words, not even Bosse could kill.
That reminded her she had to be in place when he was found missing. Her heart pounded wildly with worry all the way to the narrow corridor leading to her room. It was more like a large closet with a puny mattress on a single bed. More than Bosse had been given in his cage. She’d hated seeing him in there with no privacy, no comforts.
At least she had use of the one bathroom for all the female servants. If she ever got out of here, she would never take a cold bath again.
So far, Krol had not expected her to warm his bed. She had to find Rez and get her out of here before that happened to either of them. Was Rez sitting locked up somewhere, wishing Alifair’s mother still lived so someone would save her? She had likely dismissed Alifair’s ability to find and rescue her outright.
Rez had taken her along for the trip to Romania because the clan elders had been adamant about Rez having protection. The minute they left home, Rez had told her to stay out of the way and try to be helpful.
