Chapter 126

Dane As I stormed down the castle's halls, the darkness engulfed me as my heels kissed the stone floor, and my heart thumping frantically in my chest. The air was thick with stale smells, the flickering light from the torches scarcely piercing the dark wall of shadows before me. I had felt it: the invitation, the diversion. Now, every unhurried step toward my room was punctuated by a frantic race against something that I could not name but could damn well feel. Kiara's presence lingered in my mind mostly as a sharp scent, venomous in intent, telling me she had been here. The rabble outside was nothing compared to what she could have done here indoors. I rounded the last corner, my stride quickening, more forceful when I saw it—smeared dark and wet blood—just outside my doorpost. Glistening dully in the halftime gloom, the jagged line of blood froze me in place. I caught my breath in a hard hitch, with a snarl on my lips as I took in the gruesome sight splayed before me. A body crumpled