Lifeblood

Chapter 26

Mary's eyes glued to the slot in the door. Bits and pieces of conversation joined the fall of water droplets, and she stepped back, not daring to get close.

". . . under the impression we wanted to keep this one alive," a woman hissed.

"But Irati,"—a grin seeped into the tone, laced with indifference—"alone time builds character."

Ivo.

Mary shivered, her heel connecting with the wall.

No. She sucked in a breath. Don't cower.

This was her opportunity to escape, and she had to take it. Mary shook the fear off, strands of it clinging to her like hair on velvet. But it would not hold her down.

Irati mumbled something under her breath, and the footsteps stopped. A shadow blocked the flicker of torchlight, and metal clinked against metal. Mary snapped out of her trance and dove under the cot, praying it would give her the seconds she needed.

The door swung open.

She held her breath, petrified. It was as if her frame had become stone, and even as the floor robbed the heat from her body, she found herself wishing she could merge with it entirely. Though cold, her skin was free of goosebumps, and her flesh seemed to harden to the bone, stubborn as a boulder on the peak of a mountain.

Ivo stepped into the cell, feet casting long shadows. He froze, and so did the atmosphere.

"What—"

Mary braced against the underside of the cot and heaved. It barreled into Ivo, and she put her weight against it, slamming him against the wall. His head connected with a crack, and Ivo slid to the ground.

Fire blazed by her face and Mary lurched back, brows singed.

Irati held a torch like it was a sword, the flame reflected in her irises. She swung again, and Mary had no time to fear the heat as she ducked and caught Irati's wrist, twisting it mercilessly.

"Augh—!" Irati hollered, but was cut off as Mary delivered a kick to her diaphragm. The torch dropped with a clack, and Mary tumbled out the door, crashing into the opposite wall before her feet found purchase and she was sprinting down the tunnel.

A faint glow lit the exit. Mary rushed forward, and she was rewarded as cold air filled her lungs and starlight embraced her. A trail led into the foothills, and—

Mary stumbled, scarcely avoiding a faceplant.

Aida?

The girl met her gaze with wide eyes, mouth gaping open. Why was she—wasn't it Aida who had brought her here? Mary shook her head. She didn't remember what had happened after Aida forced her Shift.

How did she do that?

Shouts echoed behind her, and Mary snapped out of it. The ground was at an incline, and at the bottom trees clustered together, so if she jumped—

"Wait!"

Mary jolted, shoulder nearly dislocating as Aida grabbed hold of her. Loose stones slid under her feet. Aida yelped, toppling behind Mary as the ground rose to meet them. Dust churned in the air. Mary brought her arms close to protect her head, and when she regained her sense of up and down, she dug her heels into the gravel, loose stones cascading as she fought for purchase.

Aida crashed into Mary, and they crumpled at the bottom in a pile of grit.

Mary shoved her off, coughing. "What are you doing?" she hissed, stumbling to her feet. Mary was half-inclined to knock Aida flat and leave her to Irati and Ivo—for all she knew Aida was with them.