Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I hurried on, following Elaine’s directions. Left, left, right, left. Several servants noticed my mad dash through the mansion, especially in the kitchen, but as promised, no one attempted to stop me. Tick tock. I made it to the backyard and dashed through the bee garden.
In the distance, the sun framed the stable with a golden glow. I sprinted for it, certain an alarm would screech at any moment. But dang it, I didn’t want to leave without those healing grains.
I rushed inside the stable. No sign of Hogg, the stablekeeper. How much time remained on the three minute clock? Hunting for Patch, I ran down the aisle between stalls. Cliques congregated here and there. Some played dice games. Others talked. A few huddled in a corner alone to read a book. No one paid me any heed.
I found my target observing the others from the loft, where the old woman had stood earlier. Up the steps I bounded. “I want to buy the serpens-rosa,” I blurted out. Forget pleasantries. No time. “At least one grain.” I would protect it with my life. “What’s your price? Tell me! My father is dying, and I’m going to save him.”
Patch gaped at me. “You told Henry West no? He must be losing his touch.”
“Is hearing my response to him what you require for payment?” I demanded, glancing over my shoulder. No sign of Hogg. Still. My anxiety cranked up another notch.
The girl snorted. “Hardly.”
“Then I won’t waste time explaining.” Since Patch never offered a straight response, I continued with my best idea. “A water maiden is helping me reach the City of Lux. Iris.” If I had to name drop, I would. “Any silvers I find or earn along the way, I’ll hand over to you. All of them. I’ll guard your back, and I won’t betray you, even when you annoy me.”
“West has my contract,” she reminded me.
Gah! The contract. And unlike me, she didn’t have a water maiden with unexplainable tricks and sketchy motives in her corner. “Then how about a single grain because I turned down the opportunity to deliver your whipping?”
“Reward you for making a mistake? Nah. Don’t think I will.”
Very well. I had one last thing to offer. “Give me a grain, and I vow to return to you, whatever it takes, and help you gain your freedom. Don’t let this opportunity pass. You might not get another.” Always go with what worked.
“Nah,” she repeated, but this time there was a tremor in her voice. “I’ll get my hopes up, and you’ll disappoint me.”
“You don’t need Patch’s serpens-rosa if you’re going to Lux.” The slightly familiar voice came from behind me, and I spun. The older woman who’d teased the redhead about defeating Tandi had climbed to the top of the stairs. “It’s as common as bread there, I’ve heard.”
Only a fool based her decision on rumors. I peered at a scowling Patch. Her serpens-rosa, at least, was a sure thing. Plus, there was no guarantee I would be able to pay anyone else. “Please.”
“You’re as good as dead if you leave,” the girl snapped, holding onto her vial with a vice grip. “Only pain and misery await you out there.”
“And no pain or misery await me here?” Okay. Enough back and forth. Tick tock, tick tock. I would give this one more shot. “There’s no crimen above my head, so you know I’m not lying. I mean it when I say I’ll help you however I can.”
Patch’s mouth floundered open and closed. Ultimately, she rasped, “No. You’re of no use to me if you’re gone.”
Disappointment struck, but fine. Whatever. I wasn’t without options. Nor was I opposed to striking a second deal with the water maiden if it proved necessary. “I wish you all the best with your upcoming punishment and inevitable beheading.” Off I went, soaring past the older woman.
I drew to a halt in the middle of the steps. Guess my three minutes were up. A glowering Hogg threw open his office door. Henry must have awakened and phoned him. Or whatever method these people used to communicate long distance.
Clearly, Hogg knew what had happened. Remaining in the doorway, he scanned the area and projected fury. Alarms bells rang inside my head. Only a matter of nanoseconds before he spotted me.
I raced down the remaining steps, catching Hogg’s notice.
He shouted, “Stop her!”
If I got caught…if they threatened me into signing on as a substitute again… No! A circumstance to be avoided, whatever the cost. I dodged grasping hands and exited outside. Other than a broken compass, I lacked provision of any kind as I bounded across a petal covered hill, climbed over a waist-high picket fence, and sprinted as fast as my feet would carry me, my sandals kicking dirt. Their thin soles ensured I felt every pebble I came upon.