Think. You've always been good at that. Think quickly. I need to get out!
Perhaps she'd been wrong to avoid the tunnels where she could hear the sounds of dragons in the distance. If there was an exit to the outside world, then it made sense that the dragons would use it—and guard it.
But if they see me, it's over.
Alyx pressed her hand against the stone. Was that the faint vibration of a dragon approaching?
She waited for a long moment, but everything was silent.
Then she forced herself to her feet once more, ignoring the pain in her sides and her sore calves as she ran into a tunnel that curved away from the one she'd explored moments before—and which had led to a dead end.
Everything hurt. She was so exhausted and so thirsty that for a moment, she thought of her tiny little cell with helpless longing.
Then she shook off the thought.
No. I won't be a prisoner again. I won't let them torture me with their potions ever again.
Alyx raced onward, cursing herself once more for the excuses she'd found to not renew her gym membership three years ago.
But then, even if she looked like one of the models in the gym ads, it wouldn't have helped her one bit.
Dragons were dragons. No self-defense class would have helped her down here.
No. What she needed was wings. Or Indiana Jones himself to lead her through this deadly maze.
Alyx gritted her teeth, pushing on even though she was close to collapsing from exhaustion.
Another tunnel opened up in front of her, leading to the left—and slightly upwards.
Could this be the way out?
But just when she'd taken her first step into the new tunnel, three tall men suddenly appeared from an opening in the rock to her left.
She couldn't even shout for help; she was too exhausted.
Not that anyone down here would have helped her.
“What have we here?” one of the shifters asked, grinning down at her. “Looks like the firebird's pet has escaped.”
“You're coming with us,” another said. “Fuck, the stupid human ruined my day off.”
“Bet the boss is going to roast her alive,” the first guard said, smirking at her as he licked his lips suggestively.
Alyx trembled.
She stared at the shifters in terror, hunching her shoulders and finally allowing her tears to run free.
“Please let me go,” she whimpered, trying to sound as pathetic as possible.
Two of the guards nudged each other, laughing as they looked at her—probably thinking of whatever reward they'd get for catching her.
Which was exactly what Alyx had wanted.
Abruptly she broke into a run, breaking away from the startled shifters.
Her ruse had gained her a precious second or two. Her jailers had been so confident that it took them a moment to realize what had happened.
By the time she heard the sound of boots on stone coming hastily after her, she'd already turned a corner.