by Elisha Bugg
She didn't want to think about Edwin now. He may have thought he was protecting her, but he'd only made things worse.
"Why did you follow me?" she asked, trying to change the subject.
She knew someone would come for her when she ran, but she hadn't expected it to be Thane.
Ever since she'd met him he'd been determined to push her away even though she could see his hunger for her.
He may have helped her when she fainted and when Tynan attacked her believing she was a hunter, but he never let her in. Even when she thought he'd warmed to her, he pushed her away leaving her wanting more. "Did Edwin make you come?"
He sighed, resting his head in the crook of her neck.
"When I let your family down, I shut myself off from everyone, searching for Lucas despite everyone's protests,” he sighed, squeezing his arms tighter around her waist.
“It was easier to push you away than to admit I cared about a human, a race that took everything from me.”
"Thane, I..."
"I'm sorry," he whispered, interrupting her, nuzzling at her neck. "I was a coward and I was weak, using Edwin as an excuse when I couldn't cope with my emotions.”
Chapter Eighteen
Anya wasn't happy about being back at the hunter’s mansion, but if she wanted to see Lucas again, she had to endure it.
Edwin would be furious, scared that she'd be caught, but that didn't matter right now. Lucas needed her. Needed to know that she now knew who he was and that she wouldn't rest until he was free. That the Guard now knew where to find him.
So here she was, walking through the endlessly plain corridors surrounded by hunters, none of which made her feel at ease. Not even the girl who she used to call her best friend.
How could she stand there listening to the rubbish spewing from Richard's mouth?
Anya couldn't understand what had made Keri turn to the hunters in her absence. The girl she used to know would never agree to killing innocent creatures.
With a heavy sigh, Anya trudged along behind, waiting for the perfect opportunity to slip away undetected. Except, with this many people around, it was proving impossible.
“What are you doing here?” a furious whisper growled in her ear. A large hand encircled her forearm, squeezing tight.
“You're hurting me,” she bit back, tugging on her arm in a vain attempt to break free of Hugh’s hold as he pulled her aside from the group.
“You shouldn't have come.”
She couldn't argue. She knew she shouldn't be here either, but how could she stay away knowing her father was locked in their cellar?
“I thought you wanted me to join,” she asked in a snarky tone, finally snatching her arm out of his grasp, glaring as he tried to reach for her again.
Anya didn't want him touching her. In fact, she didn't want him anywhere near her.
His gentlemanly facade making her skin crawl now she knew the truth of what he was.
“Richard is testing all the new recruits today. You'll be humiliated for refusing him before. You need to come with me. Please.”
Her eyes darted from Hugh, to his father at the head of the group slowly walking away, torn.
Richard terrified her. Had since the moment she met him. Only now did she understand her fear. A subconscious need to steer clear of him and his kind.
Yet, she never feared Hugh.
He always seemed to be hiding something from her, but she never felt threatened.
Perhaps he would be the lesser of two evils.
It would certainly be easier to sneak away from him alone, than it would a whole group. “Won't your dad notice me missing?” she whispered, taking a hesitant step toward him.
“I have an idea to get rid of Richard, but you'll have to follow my lead.”
Suddenly being alone with Hugh didn't sound like such a good idea as they fell into step at the back of the crowd.
More and more rooms passed them by as they made their way through the corridors. Anya’s heart beat quicker with each step toward the large open doors in front of them. Her mind racing with the possibilities of what could be behind that blinding light shining through.
Without a word, Hugh grabbed her hand and pulled her aside, pushing her against the wall.
At first Anya was at a loss for words, confused by Hugh’s actions, until he pressed in close.
She fought against him. Kicking and lashing out with her arms, only to be pinned by his large hands. His face moving in close to hers. “Keep still,” he whispered, pressing his cool lips firmly against hers.
Using all of her weight, she tried to push him away, but he leaned in closer, entwining his legs around hers to stop her movements, her back pressing painfully against the wall.
With little alternative, Anya bit down hard on his lip. A rush of metallic liquid hitting her tongue as she held on tight.
Hugh groaned loudly against her mouth, but still he refused to move away until they both heard someone clearing their throat just behind him.
“I'll leave her in your care then, Hugh,” Richard smirked, a rare twinkle in his eye, making Anya’s skin crawl. Keri’s smiling face peeked around his shoulder.
Hugh nodded, keeping himself firmly pressed against her until Richard and Keri moved away with the rest of the group.
“What the hell, Anya,” Hugh groaned, padding his fingers lightly over his lip. His fingers coming away stained with blood.“I told you to follow my lead.”
“You expect me to stand there whilst you force yourself on me,” Anya snapped, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth. The taste of coffee on her lips was turning her stomach. “I should have bit you harder.”
“I'm sorry, Anya, but I'm trying to help. You don't seem to realise the danger you're in.”
She knew perfectly well how risky it was to come here, but she didn't understand how Hugh knew.
Anya bit her tongue before she asked what he meant and gave herself away.
Hugh couldn't possibly know what she was, she'd only found out herself a few days ago. He had to be meaning something else. Perhaps the humiliation he spoke of earlier.
Richard certainly seemed like the kind to punish someone for telling him no.
“I care about you Anya, even though I know you don't return my feelings,” Hugh sighed, running a hand through his short hair, staring up at the ceiling to avoid eye contact.
“I just hope he's worth it.”
Anya was at a loss for words.
Surely he hadn't picked up in her feelings for Thane? If he had, just what else did he know?
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest. The walls seemed to shrink around her as she took several steps back, ready to flee. Sweat beaded on her skin as he slowly lowered his eyes to hers.
“There's something I want to give you. Something that might just help keep you safe,” he muttered, reaching out his hand, palm side up, waiting for her to take it.
Anya hesitated, staring down at his outstretched hand when she knew she should be running, just like that little voice in her head demanded. Only, she found herself stepping toward him full of curiosity.
She just hoped she didn't regret it as she slowly lowered her hand on top of his.
“Wait here,” Hugh instructed her as they stepped inside the library, the door swinging behind them, making her jump as it closed with a bang.
Anya watched him cross the room to an old bookcase covered in dust, and filled with thick, leather bound tomes.
His finger slowly ran along the spine of each book, until he paused at one, lifting it free from its spot with two hands.
She tilted her head to one side, trying to read the title before he dumped the book on a nearby table, returning to the spot it had come from. A soft click in his direction regaining her attention.
Little by little, the wall behind the bookcase began to move back, revealing a small, dark space just big enough for someone to squeeze through.
With a grunt, Hugh moved to one side and pushed on the ca
sing, until it began to slide on its own.
Cold sweats broke out over her body as she watched on, that dark space seeming to pull her forward, surrounding her in darkness. Her heart raced in her chest as she scrambled backwards.
“Don't be frightened, Anya,” Hugh gasped, grabbing hold of her hand before she darted out the door.
“I hid something inside a long time ago. A journal that might help you.”
Frozen to the spot, Anya watched on as Hugh disappeared behind the bookcase, returning with a small diary that looked handmade.
“Here,” he said, placing the book in her hands before he led her by the shoulders to a nearby chair.
Anya stared down at the book, trying to focus on the worn-out words carved into the leather.
“It's written in Latin,” Hugh informed her, untying the straps as he began to flick through the pages.
“Keri told me that you like challenges, so I'm sure you'll figure out how to read it. She also told me you're an incredible artist.”
Hugh paused at one of the pages, holding it open for her to see the intricate writing and detailed sketches.
“Amazing,” she gasped, bringing the book closer to take a better look, “but why are you giving it to me?”
“I was told there were lots of hidden secrets inside. It’s an old journal from a hunter who switched sides,” Hugh informed her, watching her face for a reaction.
“Maybe there is something in there that’s helpful to you.”
He opened his mouth to say something more, resting a hand on top of hers, when they both heard his name bellowed in the hallway. Hugh snatched the diary from her hands, closing it forcefully and shoving it down the side of her chair, completely hidden from view.
“Hugh,” a large, balding man called as be barged into the room, glancing toward her with a wink and a smirk.
“What is it, Carl?” Hugh snapped, taking a step to one side, blocking her from the man's view. The harshness of his voice made Anya flinch and sink deeper into the cushions of her chair.
She'd never heard him raise his voice before.
“Keri and Leigh are fighting once again down at training.”
“What do you want me to do about it? You know what those two are like.”
“Keri has already got a shiner, and Leigh’s looking a bit bloody. Nobody can break them apart, and Richard’s busy with the new recruits.”
“Can't you see that I'm busy as well?” Hugh groaned, gesturing to her, “Let them sort it out between themselves. Maybe one of them might learn something.”
“It's ok, Hugh,” Anya insisted, “I can wait here while you're gone.”
She hoped that Hugh fell for her offer. She needed a break from being around him, and all the other hunters. But more importantly, she needed a chance to find her way back to Lucas. With Hugh stuck to her, she'd never find her escape.
“You know Leigh always has a concealed weapon. It's only a matter of time before he pulls it out and someone really gets hurt.”
Hugh made a sound of frustration before turning back toward her, placing his cool hand firmly on her knees as he leaned in close, whispering in her ear.
“I'll be as quick as I can. Just don't do anything stupid.”
Chapter Nineteen
Anya peeked around the library door, searching for any signs of Hugh or another hunter heading her way.
Happy the coast was clear, she quickly ran back inside and stuffed the diary inside her jacket pocket, hoping that nobody would spot it if she got caught.
She crept through the halls, her back kept firmly against the wall, flinching and jumping at every little noise she heard. Constantly, she checked over her shoulder as she made her way to the next bend.
Peering around the corner, Anya cursed under her breath as she looked down three different hallways that looked identical to the one she had just crossed. An eternal maze she would never find her way free from.
Tears burned behind her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't get lost in here. What would happen if she was found alone roaming the halls?
She squeezed her eyes shut and slid down the wall, slumping over her knees, crouching on the floor.
"Get a grip," she muttered, running her hands through her hair.
She took a deep breath, filling her lungs, releasing it slowly as she reopened her eyes.
There was no point panicking. It wouldn't get her anywhere. She needed to remain calm and think.
There had to be a way to navigate these halls.
A mark on the wall. An unusual aroma in the air. Or maybe a painting that she would recognise.
"I can do this."
Before there had been a crude depiction of a wolf shifter fighting on its hind legs. If she could find that painting among the tons hung on the walls, she may be able to navigate her way through this place.
But what direction should she try first?
Anya glanced down each corridor for a second time, looking for any other clue that might help her decide.
Footsteps sounded to her left, gradually getting louder.
Someone was headed her way.
With no time to think, she darted straight across and hoped whoever was coming didn't see her cross the hall.
She pressed her back up close to the wall behind her, praying that the small alcove would be large enough to conceal her. Her heart pounded with each loud footstep headed her way.
Anya covered her nose and mouth with her hands, fearful that whoever approached would hear her loud breathing.
Their huge shadow darkened the wall beside her as they stepped in front of one of the lamps nearby.
Had they spotted her run across the hall?
What if they had gone to fetch her at the library only to find her missing?
Anya peered out, only to see a man stood at the crossing of the hallways, glancing down each of them, a confused and deathly expression on his scarred face.
"Russell?" a deep, female voice called, “hurry up. We haven't got all day."
Anya continued to hold her breath as he hesitated to move from his spot.
"Coming," he replied at last, his shadow retreating from the wall beside her.
She let out a long, slow breath and sunk to the floor.
That was close. Too close. She needed to be faster.
It was unlikely she'd be able to avoid someone a second time.
Anya climbed up from the floor and headed down the hall, picking up her pace as she held her head high. Perhaps if she looked like she belonged there, nobody would question it.
Countless, easily forgotten corridors later, Anya found the painting she'd been searching for, and traced her fingers across the frame, turning to look left, and then right. Both the corridors either side of her looked the same, but there had to be something.
There, to the left was another painting of an animal. A large bear, similar to the one she'd seen in the book Hugh had first shown her.
She followed it, hoping it would lead her in the right direction.
Several paintings later and a few dead ends, she finally found what she was searching for.
The door appeared to be glowing brighter than before, its colour now a violent red rather than the icy blue that reminded her of Thane's eyes.
As she stepped closer, she reached a hesitant hand toward the door knob, gulping when her fingers brushed the metal.
Anya now knew what the runes were and what they were supposed to do. Was it possible her reaction before could have been something to do with her being half human?
She breathed in and out deeply, closing her hand around the metal.
The nausea she’d felt the first time was nothing compared to the overwhelming agony coursing through her body now.
Tears filled her eyes as she tried to push past the pain, determined not to let it stop her going to him. But the door wouldn't open. It wouldn't even budge.
"No," she cried, her hand dropping from the door knob, throbbing with pain as she leant b
ack, using the wall for support.
How could she help Lucas if she couldn't even get in to see him? What was she going to do now?
Maybe if she returned to the library, one of the books would have a section on inscriptions and how she could bypass them.
Anya continued to study the door, frowning as the glowing light seemed to move in a circular pattern across it, until she heard a noise. Footsteps stomping down the hall toward her, causing her hands to tremble, and her heart to race.
She couldn't be found here. What would they say?
She looked around frantically, hoping for a place to hide, but this was a dead end, the only door the one she couldn't pass through.
There was no alternative, she would have to pretend she was lost, wandering around aimlessly.
Anya made herself look upset, which wasn't difficult considering her whole mission had backfired.
Not a moment too soon, she stumbled out of the dead end corridor and looked around, coming face to face with Keri.
"Anya? What are you doing back here?" Keri asked, peering down the corridor she’d come from, raising an eyebrow as she smirked.
The man before hadn't been exaggerating when he said Keri had a shiner showing. Her eye was black and puffy, watering as she padded her fingers on her cheeks, conscious of Anya's staring.
"Does it hurt?" Anya asked as she continued to stare.
She may be angry with her friend for turning to such people, but she couldn't help feeling somewhat to blame for her ending up here. She was the one who abandoned her with her drunk mother after all.
"A little," Keri replied, wincing when she hit a tender spot with her fingers. "Leigh is such an arsehole. He thinks he's special because he's strong, but he's slow. I hope he chokes on his lunch."
"Perhaps we should go find you some ice?" Anya suggested.
"Yeah, why not," Keri shrugged, linking her arm through Anya's and leading her away.
Anya risked glance over her shoulder and sighed.
At least now she knew a way to navigate the halls.
"Oh," Keri exclaimed, coming to a halt, pulling Anya back. "I forgot to mention. I saw that guy you’ve been seeing a lot of recently."
