Page 6 of Shadow Kissed

Mayla wails like I have shot an arrow through her chest. Standing there with Krim dripping down her face. “Weylynn!” she yells at the top of her voice.

Weylynn sighs as he strides over to the scene and gives me a pointed look before he turns on his polite smile at Mayla. “Everything okay here?”

Mayla raises a hand and points a finger at me. “I want her fired. She poured a drink over me.”

Weylynn nods his head and considers her request. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Reya is my best worker. The regulars love her.”

Mayla seethes, her hands on her hips. “I want an apology then.”

Weylynn looks at me and gestures towards Mayla. “Reya.”

The last thing I want to do is apologise to her, but I know she’ll never let this go if I don’t. I don’t want it to affect Weylynn’s business.

With red cheeks and my fists clenched at my side, I bark out, “Sorry.”

“I beg your pardon,” Mayla replies, cupping her left ear with her hand. “I didn’t hear that.”

“Sorry,” I say loudly. Loud enough for half the inn to hear me.

“There you go,” Weylynn says with a tight smile. “All sorted. Now I’ll go pour you all fresh drinks. On the house, of course. Reya—clean this up.”

I nod my head at Weylynn. He’s letting me off lightly.

Mayla steps up into my personal space. “You’ll get what’s coming to you, freak.” She grins wickedly as she follows her friends to another table that isn’t dripping with ale and krim.

I avoid Mayla and her group for the rest of the evening. Weylynn serves them for the rest of the time they are here, while I man the bar and serve our regulars. They leave just after seven and thirty and as she exits, Mayla looks over her shoulder at me and smirks. I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone as much as I’ve hated her.

I leave the inn just before eight. I spruce my hair up in the staff room and make sure I look presentable. Time to meet Arkynn and see what he has to say to me. Saying goodbye to Weylynn and the regulars, I venture out into the evening. It’s still light outside—at this time of year, darkness falls around ten. My heart is beating in my chest as I round the corner and the stables come into sight. It’s an odd place for him to suggest we meet. Perhaps he thinks the rooftop would be too raw for me and he’s gone for somewhere more neutral but secluded enough that we can talk. With a nervous spring in my step, I reach the stables. “Arkynn,” I say, leaning into the entrance. Getting no response, I step inside to find him.

“Now!” a voice yells and before I can even blink, someone throws something over my head and roughly grabs and secures my arms behind my back.

“Get off me!” I yell, wriggling and attempting to fight off whoever has attacked me. “Let go.” I kick back with my foot and connect with someone’s shin, and a male voice swears in response.

“Get her in the trunk,” orders a voice I know all too well. Mayla.

I’m lifted off my feet as one holds my legs, and another holds my torso. I’m deposited into some sort of box. Before I can scream, I hear a thud as I’m enclosed inside. My blood runs cold when I hear what sounds like a key turning in the lock. Were they locking me in a trunk? I frantically pull at the ties holding my hands behind my back, but it’s no use. My eyes widen in fear when I hear horses’ hooves. We’re on the move.

I hear voices and the sound of the town gates opening, and then we’re moving again. They’re taking me out of Terleigh. I attempt to scream and draw attention, but no one hears me. The horses pick up speed and I’m bounced unceremoniously around the trunk. I’d wager I’ll have some nice purple bruises upon my person tomorrow. I have no idea how long we ride for. It feels like forever. We eventually come to a stop, and I wait with bated breath. I am an idiot. I should have known Arkynn didn’t send me that note. He never would have suggested we meet at the stables. I’d allowed myself to get sucked into Mayla’s trap and now I am at her mercy. The trunk lid flips open, and I’m hauled out and down onto a cold floor.

“Tie her to that tree,” Mayla orders whoever is with her. The two manhandling me are definitely male and they carry me kicking and screaming. They untie my arms and secure them around a tree trunk, taking their time to ensure I’m fastened in tight. I yelp in surprise as they rip the hessian sack from over my head.

“I told you that you’d get what’s coming to you.” Mayla grins, standing before me with her arms folded, looking like the catthat got the cream. “Let’s see how special you really are when you spend a night beyond the protections of the walls.”

I scan the forest with unfamiliarity, never having ventured this far from Terleigh.

“We’re miles from home,” Mayla tells me gleefully. “The night mutt’s will be out hunting soon. Let’s hope the precious gods are on your side tonight, Eretreya Lockwood.” She laughs and all her comrades laugh along with her. “Let’s get out of here. Darkness will be here soon. Good luck. You’re going to need it, freak.” With one last evil grin, she jogs back over to the horse and cart, and they all climb inside. They leave as quickly as we arrived, and I watch as the horse and carriage disappears from sight.

I’m alone.

I’m alone beyond the wall and darkness is coming.

“Don’t panic, Reya,” I say to myself as I try to gather my thoughts and come up with a plan.

If I survive this, it will be a miracle.

3

REYA