Chapter Four

Kadie

My teeth ground together as I searched for the right road. I’d forgotten how out of the way Club Blade was. With a sigh, I turned my brights on and squinted. So much for my wonderful homecoming. My parents didn’t want me. Salome was in some sort of trouble. And now it was frickin’ snowing. I switched the windshield wipers to high. My happy world dissolved around me.

You just need to find Salome.

At last, I saw the hidden track obscured by the trees. I flicked on my blinker and turned down the desolate road.

Shadows plagued the way ahead while limbs scraped the side of my vehicle. I took a deep breath. Maybe coming here alone wasn’t such a great idea. Salome would so owe me for this—a large tub of chocolate ice cream and some movies to start with.

Stop being childish. It’s just a road with trees, not flesh eating zombies.

The lane twisted with more curves than a porn star. Soon, I came to the familiar covered bridge, which looked like a gaping mouth waiting to swallow me up. The boards creaked as I drove over them, sending me bouncing in my seat with each bump. On the other side, the forest surrounded the road in front of me like a dark tube. I kept following the serpentine road as it narrowed, trying to ignore the oppressive darkness beyond the headlights.

After a few minutes, I pulled into a clearing, where several cars sat already parked. The purple neon sign flashed Club Blade. The violet rays made the black brick building look even more sinister, if that was possible.

Please let me find her right away so we can get out of here.

But no matter how uninviting and edgy it seemed, I was going in.

I found a parking spot near the back of the lot and shut off the engine.

I glanced down at my day old rumpled jeans and stained t-shirt. Okay, I might just be here for a few minutes, but it didn’t mean I wanted to look like something straight out of a trash can. Yeah, if I went dressed in this, I’d get turned away at the door.

I reached inside, unlocked the back door, swung it open, and tugged a box labeled “dresser” to the edge of the seat. Without wasting time, I ripped it open and rummaged through until I found a black lace thong, matching bra, and a sexy red halter dress. Once I had my things, I shoved the cardboard box back inside.

My gaze roamed over the lot. Good, no one’s looking. I whipped my t-shirt and pants off, tossing them on the passenger seat, then tore off my dirty undergarments. Snowflakes hit my bare skin, melting on contact as if my body was a giant bonfire. I shivered.

The frigid air would probably chap my ass cheeks right off. But as Mom always says, beauty is pain. I tugged on my thong then finally shimmied into the tight red dress. Once I adjusted my girls, I reached back into the car for a pair of black heels.

I did a breath check in my cupped hand then grabbed my purse from the vehicle. I felt inside my black tote, snagged a hair clip, and then secured my hair in a twist. With a quick dab of Crimson Kiss lip gloss, I was ready to go.

Showtime.

As I neared the building, the steady thump of music beat in time with my pulse. The bouncer barely gave me a glance when I moved toward the entrance—unlike last time, when they checked to make sure Salome and I were on the list.

Nervousness washed over me. This was almost too easy. Maybe this was a sign I should turn back around. I mean, why would they all of a sudden just let me in like this? And why wasn’t Salome waiting outside for me? Unless her and Gareth already made up?

No, you came all this way, you need to go inside and have a look around.

Warm air whooshed against my cold skin as I pushed inside. Strobe lights pulsed flashing at a dizzying rate. Foggy wisps floated across the dance floor. I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of incense. Already it made me heady.

Okay, search for Salome, Gareth, or Simeon. If you don’t see them then you can leave.

I pasted a confident smile on my face and sashayed the hell out of my ass as I made my way through the club. My gaze flitted across the room. Couples danced, pressed so close together, you’d need a crowbar to pry them apart. People sat in corners, kissing, while others drank and laughed. Typical club scene. But no Salome or Gareth. I wavered. Maybe she’d sent another message and it just didn’t come through? Shit. Okay, you’ve come all the way out here, you can’t just give up.

I caught sight of the bartender wiping down the counter. Maybe he might know something. So I made my way over to him and perched on a stool.

The music changed to something slower. Kind of New Age, yet ancient at the same time. The low drumbeat beckoned me. Made me imagine drinking and bonfires. Okay. So didn’t need my mind going there.

What the hell’s wrong with me?

I swallowed hard.

Stay focused. You’re here for one thing. And one thing only.

“Hey, is Gareth working tonight?” I batted my eyelashes at the bartender.

He gave me a quick once over, his gray eyes stormy. “Who wants to know?”

“I’m Kadie. Gareth’s dating my best friend, Salome. Although I’m surprised you don’t remember me.” I leaned closer.

He smirked. “Sorry, don’t recall you. But Salome, she’s that small blond girl, right? Had a few people up-in-arms last time she was here?”

What the hell? So he remembered her, but not me? “Yeah, that would be her.”

“Hmmm…”

“So, have you seen her or Gareth tonight?”

“No, but that guy down there, might be able to help you. He knows a lot about Gareth.” The bartender pointed down the counter.

My eyes came to stop on a hot guy leaning against the bar. His pale blond hair stood in messy tufts, shocked with blue highlights. Dressed in black from head to toe, his tall frame loomed over everyone around him.

Holy hell. I didn’t come in here for a guy, but I sure as hell wouldn’t mind leaving with that one.

He raised his head, gaze meeting mine. He glanced away from me, then to a tall dark haired guy leaning against the wall. Maybe this guy was gay—which was too bad. Damn, just my luck.

A moment later, he caught my eye again, and this time he pushed away from the counter and sauntered toward me. Even from here, I could almost smell his confidence as if it were cologne.

“Well what do we have here?” he said in a voice that was both deep and sexy.

I stood straighter, sticking my chest out. “A good time, if you play your cards right.”

Salome would cringe if she heard me use that line. Hell, I almost cringed myself and probably would’ve had he not been so hot. But if this guy had information, I was going to pour on the charm like nobody’s business to get it.

His eyes glittered. Just like every other guy, he’d soon be falling all over himself trying to get in my pants. If nothing else, I knew how the male species worked.

“Why don’t you join me for a drink?” He leaned over, his breath cool against my now warm skin.

Now should be the time I mentioned I was underage. But tonight, I didn’t mind throwing a few back, as long as I got what I came into the club for.

“Sure. And I’m Kadie by the way.” I let my hips sway in time with the music.

“Etienne.” He placed his hand at the small of my back, leading me to the bar.

God, he’s so hot. And his name. Talk about yummy. Forget the drink; I wanted to gobble him up. No information? No problem. There were other things he could give me…

Etienne ordered our drinks, and the bartender didn’t even bother to card me. Which seemed kinda strange.

“So tell me, Kadie…” Etienne handed me a goblet filled with ruby colored liquid. “How did you find Club Blade all the way out here?” I noticed him shift his attention back to where the tall dark-haired guy had stood, only now the wall was empty. Was he trying to make that guy jealous or something?

Not wanting to seem unsure of myself, I smiled. “My ex-boyfriend and one of his friends brought me here once. And I’m kind of looking for someone.”

His long fingers grazed my arm, sending chills across my skin. “Hmm…maybe I can help you out. What are their names, I might know them?”

“Simeon and Gareth. Although, I’m really here to find my friend Salome,” I said, then realized I’d never gotten far enough with the guys to get a last name.

The dark haired guy appeared at my side, his chocolate-colored eyes sparkled like a lit fuse. His lips curved into a broader grin, revealing perfect white teeth. “Simeon and Gareth of Summer—such a pious man, don’t you think, Etienne?”

Etienne’s grin melted away and he stiffened beside me. “Teodor, what a nice surprise.”

“Couldn’t let you have all the fun, now could I?” Teodor’s gaze slid over me like I was a piece of meat and he was a butcher.

I shivered. Something about him scared the hell out of me. Chills snaked over my skin, and I rubbed my arms.

“So, tell me about Gareth and Simeon,” Teodor said.

“I haven’t seen Simeon since before I went away to college and Gareth’s dating my best friend.” I downed my drink. Sweet and tangy, it instantly warmed me. “But I’m actually more interested in finding my friend.”

“Are you now?” He smiled once more. “Here, let me get you another one.” Teodor took my empty glass and headed over to the bar.

Fuck. Where was she? I scanned the room once more for Salome. Still not seeing her, I slid my cell from my bra and checked to make sure I didn’t have any other messages from her. But there weren’t any. Maybe she’d went into the bathroom or something. I’d give her a few more minutes to show her face—unless something had happened to her. Damn.

“Look, maybe you should leave now,” Etienne whispered when Teodor was out of earshot. “You seem like a nice girl, Kadie.”

“Then you obviously don’t know me very well,” I teased as my stomach clenched with uneasiness. Maybe he was right, maybe I should just get the hell out of here. But then I’d be back to square one. I really needed to find Salome. I just had to stick it out a little longer to see if these guys really knew anything. Maybe it was time to turn on the Kadie charm.

But just then Teodor came back, holding out a drink for me.

“A special drink, for a special lady.”

At least I’m not the only one throwing around cheesy lines tonight.

I wasn’t going to get any information from them by giving them the cold shoulder, so I finished my cup and set it on the counter and turned to Etienne. “Aren’t you going to drink yours?”

He chuckled, then handed me his goblet. “No, go ahead.”

I picked up the goblet by the stem and tossed it back. Etienne watched me, and his gaze slid down my throat until it reached the low neckline of my dress.

I have you now.

“So, about Gareth and Salome, have you seen them tonight?”

I downed the rest of my drink and let Etienne take the cup from me.

“No, Gareth hasn’t been in the club for months now. But enough of about him.” He placed the glass on a nearby table then tugged me toward him. “Let’s dance.”

His fingers clasped mine as he led me to the dance floor. Already my blood burned beneath my skin where he touched me. If we didn’t turn it down a notch, I might combust. We found a place at the center of the crowd and he pulled me against him. “You need to stay away from Teodor,” he said at last. “He’s bad news.”

“And you’re not?” I whispered against his neck.

I heard a low groan escape his lips. “Oh, I’m bad, too, just a different kind of bad. If you were smart, you’d get out of here and as far away from both of us as you can. In fact, I think you should get out of here right now.”

My heart thudded in my ears, and a pleasant buzzing sensation spread through me. It was getting hard to think. And so easy to feel…

“What if I’m not smart? What if I want to stay?”

“Then you’ll pay the consequences.” He gripped me tighter. “Please, Kadie, just trust me and go.”

Beneath his button-down shirt, my fingers traced over sculpted muscles. Even through the fabric, I could tell he had abs like the guys in magazines my mama didn’t want me looking at. His hands roamed over my hips. I glanced up, meeting pale blue eyes. He leaned closer until his lips crushed mine.

Etienne tasted of wine, his mouth pleasantly cool. He deepened the kiss, taking my breath away like a crisp December morning. I couldn’t get enough of him. He intoxicated me.

He pulled back, his eyes staring down at me as if he could devour me with them. The lights continued to pulse and dizziness washed over me. Etienne’s hands moved down my back and he grinded his hips against mine. I gasped.

Why can’t I get enough of him?

My vision grew fuzzy; people in front of me blurred. Even the music didn’t sound right, like someone had slowed it down too much. I tried to steady myself.

Oh God, did he drug me?

I stumbled, then clasped hold of his shoulders.

“Are you okay?”

My eyes narrowed. “What did you do to me?”

“Nothing. Unless Teodor gave you something.”

For some reason, I laughed and kept dancing even though warning bells went off.

Wake up. You need to go.

But I kept dancing and kissing and touching Etienne.

C’mon. Stop being an idiot. Say goodbye and get the frick out of here.

“Kadie, you need to stop now. We have to go,” Etienne said again, this time more urgent. He stopped dancing and attempted to tug me off the dance floor, but my body refused to move.

Somewhere in the distance, someone screamed. I raised my head and glanced around. Warm droplets splashed against my cheek like rain. I wiped the liquid from my face and glanced down. Oh shit. Crimson. Blood.

I’ve got to get out of here. Now. Why can’t I move?

I was seriously fucked up. The lights stopped pulsing and flickered. It was then that I noticed Etienne wasn’t beside me anymore.

The music faded to frantic voices. People shoved to get to the exits, like they just woke up and realized something horrible was about to happen. Panic shot through me. Where the hell was the door? I spun around, searching for a way out. The lights went out, plunging me into inky blackness.

A shoulder rammed into me and I staggered back. Terrified shrieks rang out from nearby.

What direction do I go?

I was half-tempted to drop to my knees and start crawling, but I was scared I might be trampled.

“Come on, we must go, before he finds us.” Etienne’s voice sounded in my ear. Strong hands wrapped around my waist, leading me forward. “Hang on to me.”

I reached in the dark until I clung tight to him. “What’s going on?”

“Shh…don’t worry, I’ll get you out.”

“Going somewhere?” Teodor called out beside us.

“I’m sorry,” Etienne whispered. “I’ll try to keep you safe.”

What the fuck did that mean?

A gust of wind ripped at my dress and hair. The smell of rotten food assaulted me, and I gagged as dizziness took hold once more.

I’m gonna be sick.

Etienne tugged me onward, and I fought to keep up. At last, we burst through the darkness. Relief washed over me when I noticed the moonlit woods. We’d gotten out. But where the hell were we? This wasn’t outside the club. In fact, I didn’t see the club at all. Damn, was I so fucked up that I didn’t remember leaving?

“Let’s show Kadie what’s really going on,” Teodor said with a laugh.

I turned to Etienne and stopped short. Frozen in place, I watched in horror as chunks of his face fell off—it melted away like the wax of a candle.

Oh God.

Green, blemished skin covered the once handsome Etienne. Horns curled up from his forehead, reminding me of a ram. His jagged teeth had bits of fleshy pieces stuck inside and I nearly retched, having moments before kissed that mouth. Emerald eyes glowed with amusement. This wasn’t happening. He looked just like one of the goblins I’d seen in Salome’s grandma’s book.

No. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. I had to be dreaming or hallucinating. I pinched my arm and pain shot up to my shoulder. Oh crap. I was awake. But that didn’t mean the drugs they gave me hadn’t screwed with my head.

“Welcome to the Unseelie Court, Kadie. I hope you enjoy your stay.” Teodor pointed to the freaky creatures stepping from the woods to surround us. Green, blemished skin, horned beings, grotesque things that were half-human and half-monster. Goblins, trolls, red caps—things that should not exist. But there they were, staring at me as if I was an item on the buffet.

I took a step back and turned to where Teodor had been standing, but now in his place was a creature with a wolf like snout and rows of sharp teeth. No. This wasn’t happening. My body quaked beneath me. I needed to run, but there was nowhere to go. It was too late.

Etienne was looking at me, and some emotion flashed in his eyes, gone too quickly for me to be sure what it was.

Beyond them, all I noticed was the ice and snow and blood. The creatures from Salome’s grandma’s books were real. The same monsters Salome had been scared of as a child—the ones I didn’t believe in—were surrounding me. And I was their captive. All because I’d come here for Salome—

Oh God. Salome.

“What did you do to my friend?” I said.

Teodor shook his head and chuckled. “You poor girl. You still think that message actually came from Salome?”

My heart sank as I realized what he meant. The message. It hadn’t come from Salome. It had come from them.

Shit. Shit shit shit.

“That’s why we sent for you,” he said. “You’re going to help us capture her.”

I reached for my phone, only to find that it wasn’t there. Fuck. How would anyone find me now? I could only hope Salome would realize I was missing.

The frigid air nipped at my skin and goose bumps broke out across my legs and arms. My stomach knotted as I watched a butt-load of dark creatures pour from the woods like a demonic wave. Some stood tall, with pointed ears and razored teeth, their skin the color of charcoal and eyes red as strawberries. Others were part man and part beast. Twisted horns, blemished skin, claws the size of butcher knives. It was like I stepped onto the set of some effed-up horror flick and I was the first actress to be sacrificed.

I took several steps backward, but Etienne gripped my arm. His slimy skin made me want to barf.

Thank God I didn’t sleep with him; I could’ve ended up pregnant with toad children or something.

“Let. Me. Go.” I jerked my arm in an attempt to free myself. But his fingers never moved. I shifted my attention to the ground, searching for some sort of weapon. Anything I might use to fight my way out of here. But there was only snow and trees and darkness.

“I will try to protect you,” Etienne said in a hushed voice. “Please, trust me. Don’t cause a scene.”

Teodor moved closer to us. “We have uses for a girl with prior connections to Summer.”

“Listen, I don’t know anything. Please. Just let me go.” My feet planted firm on the ground.

Teodor reached for me, his gaze darker. “Etienne, perhaps you should hand the girl over to me. I bet I could make her talk.”

“No, I found her and I’ll do things my way.”

“Is that what you’re going to tell the queen?” Teodor’s snout full of teeth gleamed in a deadly smile.

Holy fuck. Panic stole over me. No way was I going any further with these two. I had to keep it together. I had to get out of here. Wherever here was. I kicked out my leg, nearly catching Teodor in the crotch, but he dodged out of the way. If they were gonna take me, I damn sure wasn’t about to make it easy for them.

But in one swift movement, Etienne uprooted me and dragged me down the path. “We’ve got a long journey. Someone get her a fur before she freezes to death. She won’t be any use to us dead.”

A centaur with red swirling paint on his chest trotted up alongside us and dropped a large wolf pelt around my shoulders. The head was still attached, vacant eyes staring at me. For a moment, I expected it to clamp down on my throat with its long teeth.

Etienne peered down at me again, and I saw a flicker of something again in his eyes. Concern? Regret? But then that flicker disappeared and his mask of resolve returned.

“Sweet dreams,” he said. He blew his sweet, honey scented breath in my face, and everything went black.

I came to with a groan, still groggy. Etienne’s shoulder dug into my abdomen, each step he took jarring me. I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again, hoping this was a dream. But when I opened them once more, I was still being held captive, being carried through the gnarled woodland. My body trembled. How long had I been asleep? The dark sky indicated it was still night. But was it the night of my abduction or had I been a sleep a long time?

Soon Etienne set me on my feet and I turned to see a mammoth black gate. Withered vines clung to the wicked, long spokes. Knobby, decayed trees stood along the fence line, while thorns stuck every which way, as if to keep intruders out.

I swallowed hard. The gate screeched open, sounding like thousands of people screaming in pain. My knees nearly buckled and I covered my ears.

Please make it stop.

Etienne glanced at me. “You need a stronger stomach if you’re going to survive here.”

My gaze shifted to the large castle before me. Where the fuck were we? I knew for damn sure that there were no castles in Starlynn Village. Maybe this was like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and we’d stepped into some other land. Or maybe I really hadn’t woke up. I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. But every time I blinked or closed my eyes, I was still here.

I stared at the Black spires, which twisted toward the sky like devil horns. Thick, dirty ice caked the bottom stones, while red fluid dripped down the window panes. It looked like blood. I didn’t want to know for sure what it was. Rocks carved like skulls—at least I hope they were rocks—stared down from various balconies and ledges. Only one word described what I saw. Morbid.

My pulse thundered in my ears as we stepped into the main corridor. Black marble covered nearly every inch of the floor and walls. Monstrous paintings depicting death and sacrifice paraded us into a wide-open throne room. Gnarled trees, acted as pillars, while a ceremonial stone table sat at the center of the room. The rock surface crimson from God only knew what. My legs shook beneath me. And not for the first time, I wondered if I’d live to see tomorrow. I bit my bottom lip, then took several deep breaths. My gaze flitted about the room, until it landed onthe oversized throne made of bones.

“Don’t tell me you two have been out playing with humans, while I fight Summer.” A female waltzed into the room. White hair hung about her shoulders, framing a too-pale face. Deep blue robes swished at her feet. Red stains decorated the hem as if she’d been clog dancing on dead bodies. But it was her cold, blue eyes that held me in place.

Etienne bowed. “Of course not, my queen. This girl will help us bring you Salome and all of Summer.”

“Will she now?”

Teodor stepped ahead of Etienne. “She has ties to Summer. To both Simeon and Gareth. If you’d like, I could take her to my rooms and get her to talk.”

A thin smile, if you could call it that, spread across her bluish-purple lips. “Does she now?” She sat on the throne, then glowered at my captor. “Stop using your glamour. I can’t stand to look at you two in that form.”

Etienne released my arm. A light glowed around him as his previous, hot form fell back into place. His now blue eyes met mine.

Oh God, this was his true form? But no matter how good looking he was—and no matter what that flicker in his eyes had signified—I now knew he was a monster.

“That goes for the rest of you. Take your glamour off before you make me sick.” The queen settled back in her chair.

All around me, creatures turned from freaky horror movie cast look-a-likes to drool-worthy models. Dark hair. Golden hair. Tall. Muscled. The ones that didn’t change back, scurried around grabbing cloaks and cups for the others. Like the uglier ones were the servants.

“Bring in the wine.” The queen snapped her fingers and two pig-snouted men entered carrying trays with goblets filled with what looked like red champagne. They offered one first to the queen, then turned to wait on the beautiful people. “Bring one to the human.”

I went still. The last time I’d accepted a drink from a stranger, I’d ended up here. “No. I’m fine. I don’t want any.”

The queen stood, crumbling her goblet in her hand. Glass and crimson sprayed across the floor. “No one refuses me.”

Guards moved forward, one on each side. They shoved me to my knees and pinned me in place. Terror washed through me, gripping my gut until I thought I might barf or piss myself. One of my captors caught hold of my hair and pulled my head back, while Teodor forced my mouth open. The queen laughed as they poured the wine down my throat.

It burned my esophagus, and I caught the faint taste of blood. I gagged as they released me, wiping at my mouth with my arm.

“Now—why don’t we play a fun game?” Her lips turned up at the corners. “You tell me what you know about Gareth, Simeon, and Summer and I won’t kill you.”

Fuck. This lady’s insane.

“I don’t know anything. I mean, I dated Simeon for, like, five seconds. And Gareth went to my school for a few months.”

“Fae don’t just date humans, there had to be something they wanted,” Teodor said. His eyes narrowed as he stared me down. “We all want something.”

Etienne met my gaze over his shoulder. He looked uncomfortable, almost like he regretted what was happening.

My hands trembled, but I fought to stay composed. “Simeon never asked for anything. Hell, he wouldn’t even sleep with me. Trust me, I tried to seduce the man. And like I said, Gareth went to my school and hung out with one of my friends.”

Something they wanted?

Shit. We’d gone out a few times, but I barely knew them. I barely…

Oh God.

Salome. The first time I’d hung out with Simeon, Gareth had spent the whole time asking me questions about her. They’d used me to get to Salome. Was she here in Faerie now? If Gareth hurt her, I swore I’d kill him. I sucked in a deep breath.

There’s no way I’m gonna tell them about Salome.

The last thing I needed was for them to stalk her. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Fine time to be chivalrous. For once, I should put myself first.

I wet my lips and glared at Teodor. “Look, I don’t know what they wanted. Like I told you, I met Simeon at a coffee shop and he asked me out. We went out like maybe three times, then he broke up with me for some girl. And since Gareth hung out with him, I never saw either of them after that.”

“She’s not telling us everything—I can feel it.” The queen pointed at me, her eyes glowing. “Take her to the Red Room until she decides to talk.”

I leapt to my feet, fists clenched at my sides. “What? I told you everything—you can’t keep me here.”

“Oh, but I can.” She stepped off the dais and glided toward me. When she was in front of me, she ran a lacquered fingernail down my cheek.

My skin stung, and a droplet slipped down my face. She’d drawn blood.

With a grin, she licked her finger. “Take her away.”

“Perhaps, you’d like me to keep her with me instead, Your Highness?” Teodor watched me in a way that made me think of axe murderers and America’s Most Wanted Criminals.

“No, I found her and I’ll make her talk,” Etienne interjected. He snatched hold of my arm, tugging me from the throne room and down a narrow, dark hall before the queen could change her mind. The only light came from a few scattered candles that flickered along the wall. Everything else lay doused in shadow.

“You should’ve cooperated.”

“Fuck off.” I tried to jerk free from him.

He came to an abrupt stop, pinned me to a nearby wall, and leaned closer. “Do you think I wanted this for you? I told you at the club you should leave, but you didn’t listen. Then to let Teodor overhear you, you left me no choice but to bring you here. If I didn’t grab you, then he would’ve. Trust me, you don’t want to be alone with him. He has a way of making people spill their every secret.”

His breath was warm against my cheek, the scent of honey and fruit clinging to his skin.

He’s too close. I can’t think.

This time I pulled out of his grasp, trying desperately to ignore the pulse thundering in my ears. Confusion swirled inside. How in the hell could I be attracted to him? I didn’t like the pull he had over me. And I needed to find a way to break it before I did something stupid. Besides, I had a lot worse things to worry about. Like all the monsters and demons that lurked in the castle. All of which could kill me in a split second.

Another wave of fear washed over me. How was any of this possible? How did I not know places like this existed? Maybe Salome’s grandma’s stories really weren’t stories after all. And maybe she was trying to warn us when we were younger.

Once more, Etienne secured me to his side, his grip tighter than before. “Please. I don’t want this any more than you do. It’ll be over a lot faster if you just tell me everything I want to know.”

“Don’t count on it.” My jaw tightened. If I was going to survive, I had to put my big girl panties on now and be ready to fight.

After several turns down twisting hallways, we came to a stop in front of a pair of hulking wooden doors. Etienne produced a key, unlocked it, and shoved me inside. I whipped around, hoping to get out, but the door slammed shut, and I heard the bolt locking in place.

“Let me out!” My hands pounded on the door. I took a few steps back then ran forward in an attempt to ram my way out. But the wood didn’t budge, instead, I bounced off and skidded backward across the floor.

A sob lodged in my throat, panic setting in.

There has to be a way out.

I spun to get a look at the room then froze. Candles came to life, revealing the gruesome décor. Bones and skulls adorned nearly every inch of this place. Human heads hung above a fireplace mantle made of spines, displayed like trophies. The reddish-brown stains covered the walls as if someone had poured buckets of blood on them. Curtains made of skin and hair billowed back and forth as wind snuck through the windows.

I covered my mouth, but it was too late. I vomited, splattering the already stained floor. I heaved, again and again, until nothing was left in my stomach.

I have to get out of here. Now.

A pair of glass doors caught my eye and I ran forward. I fumbled with the handles, but was relieved when they swung open. Brisk air clawed at my bared skin, the cold taking my breath away. I glanced around the snow covered courtyard only to find it just as horrific as the scene inside.

Human skins hung like laundry set out to dry from gnarled tree limbs. A fountain made of bones sputtered bloodied water from its depths. I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing this was just a nightmare. But when my lids came open once more, I was still there.

Tears blurred my vision as I found a wooden bench and collapsed on it.

“Help meeeee…” an agonizing cry sounded from beside me.

My fingers dug into the wooden bench and I shot an alarmed look around me. Then I saw it. The tree in front of me. Only this tree wasn’t normal. It twisted so that it faced me, revealing a human face embedded into the bark. My gaze followed the length of the trunk where two legs were rooted into the ground, blood seeping from them. What should’ve been branches on the tree, I soon realized were this person’s arms, covered in thorns and leaves.

“Please…”

As I stared at the tree, I realized I recognized that face.

Salome’s dad. “Mr. Montgomery?” I whispered.

“Help me…”

No matter how strong I was, I knew then I might not make it out alive.