Caged

by Helene Gadot

I shake my head. “It’s real. He’s alive. Apparently he didn’t die that night, he escaped.”

  “No.” Tears pool in her eyes.

  My eyes fill in in response to her pain. “Yes. He left me.”

  “He wouldn’t have left you. He loved you. So much. Almost too much.”

  I used to believe the same thing before today.

  But not anymore.

  “Then where is he? Where has he been all this time?” I throw my hands into the air, frustration echoing in the cell.

  Tahira swipes hair out of her face with an impatient gesture. “I don’t know. But there has to be some explanation. There has to be.”

  “I hope so, but I can’t think of what.”

  I keep going over and over it in my head, but nothing makes sense.

  Tahira straightens her shoulders. “You won’t know until you find him. We’re getting out of here. Soon. And then you can go demand answers from him if he’s just living his life like you fear or we’ll rescue him from whatever trouble he’s found.”

  “I guess you’re right.” I hate the thought of him being in trouble too.

  I hate all of this.

  Tahira tosses her head. “Of course I’m right. I loved the cat too. We’ll figure it all out.”

  “I hope so.” I’m perking up a little at her confidence.

  “You need to stop sitting here stewing in your own pain. I know you’re hurt and scared and overwhelmed with these new mates and then Borus returning. But we finally have hope again. And not just hope for freedom, but hope for justice and making a difference out there. We can stop Arcanes from ending up like us.”

  Her words and reminders are the kick in the ass I need.

  It’s a reminder I’m not the only one with pain and horror haunting my every step. There isn’t an Arcane alive who hasn’t been touched by tragedy or pain or loss.

  There’s more to life than romantic drama.

  Rowan either loves me or doesn’t.

  The other three either return for me once their mission is complete or they don’t.

  Zak either stays with me and we figure out who and what we are to each other or he leaves and forges his own path.

  What matters is what I do with my life, with my freedom, with my gifts.

  And what I want to do is help free anyone who has been caged like I have.

  Gavyn shows up in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but I found a note from Dara in my pocket. Tomorrow is the day.”

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Sterling

  I BARELY HAVE ENOUGH energy and strength to heal myself once I wake up in a disgusting dirt pit.

  There’s not a single hint letting me know how long I’ve been trapped down here. If it’s been hours or weeks, I don’t know.

  I hate the dark.

  But that’s all that’s in here with me.

  Just the dark to keep me company.

  I’m too weak to feel Allegra and can’t tell if she’s okay or if she’s been thrown into one of these things too.

  I was the one who was supposed to be punished.

  Not her.

  She’s been punished enough.

  She didn’t need to watch them whip me with guilt and pain leaking from her eyes.

  That bastard better not have his hands on her.

  I’ll get out of here eventually and she’ll have to forgive me, but I’m not going to make the same mistake of waiting for her to kill him next time.

  I’ll just snap his neck so her nightmare is finally over.

  Different fantasies play out in my mind while I sprawl in the mud, ideas of what I could do to him keeping me company.

  It passes the time.

  Until I feel another’s presence here with me.

  My hands search blindly for a weapon, but there’s only mud down here.

  “Relax. It’s me.”

  My hands still at the familiar voice. “Dara?”

  “Yeah, dummy. Who else?”

  I relax a little, trying to calm my racing pulse. “What the fuck?”

  She snorts. “That’s what I want to know. You’re supposed to be lying low.”

  “He took her.” I don’t regret a single thing other than letting him live.

  She sighs. “I know. I get it. But we have to get you out of here and unfortunately we’re moving up the timeline.”

  I slip and slide in the mud until I claw my way to my feet. “We’re doing the prison break now? I thought it was going to be in the middle of the day?”

  “It is. But they won’t notice if you’re not down here anymore. You’re going to help me from the outside since you won’t be any use sitting in what I hope and pray is just mud, but based on the stench is... more.”

  “I’m not leaving them.” I frown.

  Dara groans. “Well, you can’t hide in the dungeon and hope no one sees you. And you’re not leaving. We’re just going to be on the other side of the fence until it’s time to rip it right down.”

  “I should sneak in there and let them know you’re here and the whole plan so they can prepare.” I want to check on my mate.

  She curses. “Stop being a shit. Gavyn already knows. I slipped him a note. It explains everything. This way you can clean up and store up a little energy for tomorrow. I have food for you too. And your bird is fine. A little emotionally fucked up, but there’s nothing you can do about that other than get her out of here. Now, come on.”

  Dara’s right. As much as I don’t want her to be.

  “Please tell me you have weapons.” I can’t wait to have my swords in my hands again.

  I’ve missed them.

  She chuckles. “Who do you think you’re asking? I’ve got a stockpile ready to be passed out.”

  My heart warms at her words. “You’re my favorite.”

  “I know. Too bad Archer’s mine.” She grabs my hands in hers and mutters words I don’t recognize under her breath.

  After a moment, our feet leave the floor and we rise through the air until I can see stars and smell fresh air and we’re out.

  I can finally breathe easily again.

  With one last glance at the dungeon, I follow Dara to a slit in the fence, both of us disappearing into the night with the promise of violence and vengeance to come with the sunrise.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Allegra

  A NEW PRISON TRUCK arrives the following morning. We don’t usually get them this often, but a lot of things have been different lately.

  This crop of prisoners look healthier than usual too, like they’re recent captures.

  My entire body buzzes with anticipation and I can barely focus on the new arrivals as I count down the hours, minutes, seconds until the midday meal.

  When everything changes.

  Or when we fail and life gets even worse.

  Tahira appears next to me, relief evident on her face. “I heard good news through the grapevine?”

  “What news is that?” I ask.

  “Borus still hasn’t woken up. And the doctor isn’t sure he ever will.” Tahira’s tone is gleeful.

  I jerk to gape at her. “What?”

  She chuckles. “Yes. Apparently your unicorn gave him a harder kick than you two realized.”

  He did rather stomp on the prick.

  Stunned disbelief bubbles up inside me, releasing from my mouth in a round of hysterical giggles. He’s not coming after us.

  And we’ll be long gone before he can.

  I need to finish the job before we leave today.

  Then he'll never be my problem or anyone else’s ever again.

  The last thing I want is the threat of him tracking me down hanging over my head for the rest of my life.

  Tahira gasps and her knees buckle, and I barely grab onto her in time.

  “What’s happening?”

  “My collar.” She grabs the metal around her neck with a grimace.

  Relief and realization mingle inside me. “Dara must be here. Your powers are returning.”
/>
  Blue lightning flashes in Tahira’s eyes as she gapes at me, gasping as her Arcane side pushes to the surface, ready to dole out punishments to all who kept her trapped for so many years.

  The press of everyone around us and everyone’s focus turned towards the new prisoners keeps anyone from noticing as Tahira wrestles her powers back under control, using me as her crutch.

  Things are happening so fast, it doesn’t feel real.

  And it’s terrifying.

  Because what if we go through all this only to have our hope dashed at the last minute?

  I won’t be able to bear it.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Archer

  MY BROWS FURROW AS I study the new prisoners being yanked from the back of the prison cart. I might be losing my mind, but some of them are awfully familiar looking.

  Maybe they’re resistance I’ve come across in the past?

  I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter since they won’t be here long.

  I’m glad the cart arrived today. It means more Arcanes saved and set free.

  My gaze sweeps the fence, searching for any sight of Dara or Sterling, watching for a sign even though I know nothing is happening until midday.

  Things are moving quickly, but they’re taking forever at the same time. The next few hours are going to be hell waiting for our moment.

  I’m looking forward to the side trip we decided to make to escort Allegra and her friends to the resistance cell we’re setting them up in. It’ll be nice to finally have some real quality time with her on the outside. After yesterday, I need to spend a little time with her in my arms, reassuring myself she’s alive and healed and finally free.

  And I want to shore up memories for when we’re trapped in another hellhole just like this.

  We still haven’t explain just what we’re headed into or where she’s going, but there will be plenty of time for that once we’re outside and no longer caged.

  Allegra didn’t say much last night when we coaxed her back to her usual cell and out of the sad, dark hole she was hiding in. She listened to the plan and accepted her part in it, but other than that, she remained silent and sad, keeping to the edges.

  Gavyn, Zak, and I had agreed to give her space for now after the brutal day she suffered through.

  But today, we all have our parts to play in making sure this is a success.

  And I can’t wait to play mine.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Allegra

  IT’S TIME.

  Midday has finally arrived.

  Gavyn, Tahira, and I exchange one last glance as we carry serving platters into the refectory, spiked with so many of those poisonous seeds, we may kill them all.

  I was shocked when I saw how many we had stockpiled. There was so much, I wasn’t sure the three of us would be able to smuggle them all into the kitchens.

  But we managed and here we are with laced food to incapacitate the guards.

  If they all react like the doctor, we should be able to basically walk out of here.

  Doubts and second-guessing continue plaguing my mind as we serve the guards.

  By the time we’ve exchanged the guards’ food for the prisoners’, there still isn’t any change.

  I raise my brows at Tahira, but she shrugs in response, just as clueless as I.

  My hands shake as I serve the inmates their food, hoping we didn’t get things mixed up somehow and we aren’t poisoning ourselves instead.

  But no.

  We did it right.

  It’s just taking longer than last time for some reason. Maybe because it was cooked more instead of thrown in at the last minute like I did with the doctor’s food?

  Shit.

  Without this as a distraction, a lot of Arcanes are going to die.

  And it’s too late to let Sterling and their mage sister know things have gone very wrong.

  What are we going to do?

  Gavyn reaches for my hand behind the counter and squeezes it, trying to reassure me, but panic is starting to build as hope fades.

  Of course this didn’t work.

  We’re not meant to escape this place.

  Especially me.

  Because I’m cursed.

  This is it for me.

  This life.

  I know I need to rally, but I can’t find the spark Tahira helped light in me last night. It’s burned down to nothing but ash.

  Gavyn’s grip tightens and he yanks my arm.

  I raise my head to frown over at him, but he gestures to the guards’ table.

  It starts with a giggle and a fart.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Gavyn

  THE HEAVINESS IN MY chest lifts as disgusting noises and rising hysteria comes from the table near the door.

  It’s finally working.

  Things are still on track.

  I was starting to worry we’d have to scrap everything and I don’t think Allegra would agree to come with us if only our small group of six people break out.

  The laugher and groans and off-key singing grows and grows into a loud din I can barely think over.

  The other prisoners look around, confusion on their faces and some amusement. It is rather enjoyable seeing those assholes act like drunken fools.

  But the smell is starting to make my stomach protest.

  What are Tahira and Dara waiting for?

  As soon as I have the thought, every Arcane in here drops to the ground, screams and groans and gasps, clutching the now useless collars on their necks.

  Another second and the collars release from everyone’s necks, falling to the ground with a ringing clatter.

  I rub my neck where mine had been rubbing and digging at my flesh.

  Tahira sways on her feet, but Allegra steadies her.

  The woman hasn’t used her magic in decades, but she just assisted removing hundreds of collars. Her power must be off the charts strong.

  I’m glad she’s on our side.

  Archer and Zak wade through the bodies on the floor and leap over the counter to stand with us as we wait to see how this all plays out, ears perked for the signal from Dara and Sterling.

  A few of the guards express confusion and concern at the sight of all the prisoners writhing on the floor other than a few of us, but most either don’t notice or they point and laugh.

  We might actually just walk out of here.

  There are still a few straggler guards out in the towers and here and there, but they should be easy pickings.

  The new Arcanes who arrived on the transport this morning are the first to recover, struggling to their feet and shaking off the residual effects and heading right to us.

  A vila comes and stands at attention in front of me. “We were told to report to you.”

  I rear back. “What?”

  “Dara. She sent us to assist in case things went sideways.”

  I nod like I have an idea what the hell is going on and scramble for something they can do. “I see. Round up the guards and get them secured. Then wait for the signal.”

  “What’s the signal?” She asks.

  “An explosion.”

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  Sterling

  WE SET THE CHARGES on the last guard tower and melt back into the woods, Dara blasting a lot of her power to keep us unseen and unheard.

  Once we’re far enough away from the blast zone. Dara speaks the literal magic word that lights the spark.

  And explosion after explosion after explosion rattles the sky.

  We share a mad grin and race for the hole in the fence closest to the kitchens where most everyone should still be.

  If all is going to plan.

  As fun as I find blowing stuff up, not being with the others has me twitchy.

  I’ve got a bow and quiver full of arrows strapped to my back and two short swords in my hands. I’m ready for any guard who wants to get in my way.

  I’m sick of this place and we’re getting the fuck out.

/>   All of us.

  No matter who I have to stab.

  Arcanes are already pouring from the refectory, panic and confusion turning them into a mob.

  I barrel through them, not stopping to help, not caring what they do with themselves anymore. I just want to get to my mate and my comrades.

  Dara keeps pace with me, ignoring the hysteric prisoners suddenly granted a chance at freedom.

  We find our people in the kitchens, packing bags of food and supplies.

  Smart.

  But one person is missing.

  “Where the fuck is Allegra?”

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Allegra

  ONCE I HAVE ENOUGH fallen leaves and small twigs bundled into a pile outside the doctor’s building where Borus is laid up inside, I strike the match and toss it on the top.

  I step back and cross my arms, watching as the spark grows and flickers into flames, licking at the sides of the building.

  “What the fuck, birdie?”

  I leap into the air, grabbing my chest at the voice behind me.

  Familiar hands grasp my hips and turn me around. “What are you doing?”

  I tilt my head back to see the burly and grumpy unicorn I’ve grown fond of despite myself. “Burning this place down. I decided to start here.”

  A look of utter adoration crosses his face before he nods in approval. “Good choice. Let me help you.”

  I hide a smile and nod. “Sure.”

  He releases me. “We need to hurry. I won’t feel completely safe until we’re well away from here.”

  “Me too.”

  But I could leave this place still standing. They’d just fill it back up with more Arcanes.

  I want to do this to every single prison in Ravenswood.

  “Why’d you go off on your own?” Sterling asks.

  I hop over a log as we make our way to the next building. “The others were busy and it was just something I wanted to handle myself.”

  “Well, let’s get it done and get the hell out of here.”