If I screw this up, I’m going to do more than just hurt myself.
Greg could lose the only person he’s ever loved.
As far as I can tell, there are no side entrances into the castle. There must be, though. Right? Carefully, cautiously, I walk in the shadows. I move away from the drawbridge and keep an eye out for any other way into the castle. There are so many turrets that I’ve almost lost count. Then I see it.
A door.
It’s nestled in the side of one of the turrets. It’s just on the other side of the tiny moat. I don’t want to risk falling into the water, but I have a feeling that I can make it. That’s one of my fairy skills, I suppose: good instincts. My sisters don’t have that one. I suppose I should be grateful, but I can usually tell before I do something whether I’m go
ing to be successful or not. Perhaps the power would be better if I actually listened to it.
As it is, I most often just ignore it and then am disappointed when the results aren’t what I want.
Now, though, I have a feeling that if I hop, if I leap, that I can make it to the little ledge where the door opens. It’s probably three feet wide and just as deep.
I can definitely do this.
I glance around one more time to make sure that no one is looking. This side of the castle seems to be fairly empty. Then again, everything surrounding the castle seems to be a little bit empty. I won’t give myself too much time to think about that or what it means. Instead, I take a deep breath, I spin my amulet, and I run, charging toward the door.
And then I leap.
I can practically feel the fairy dust bouncing out of my skin as I soar through the air and land perfectly outside of the little door.
Well, then. That wasn’t so hard, was it?
I reach for the door and pull it open. It’s not locked, which seems unlikely, but I’m not about to complain. It’s just another bout of good luck, I suppose, and I’m starting to think that maybe my life is about to turn around in a wonderful way.
I step inside, pull the door closed behind me, and take a step forward.
“Well, what do we have here?”
Suddenly, my heart sinks when I turn and see none other than Wyatt.
The monster.
The maniac.
Apparently, I’ve chosen to enter the castle through his private study and he’s eyeing me quite curiously. It’s not a gentle kind of curious, like when a child sees a kitten jumping around in the grass or when someone notices a handsome boy for the first time. No, this type of curious is much darker. This type of curiosity feels more like a lion noticing that a tiny rabbit has wandered right into his cave.
And I’m the rabbit.
And Wyatt is the dangerous lion.
“I’m sorry,” I say slowly. How can I save my ass right about now? Is there anything I can actually do? “I thought this was the back entrance.”
Not a lie.
I just didn’t think there was going to be anyone here. Shouldn’t Wyatt be off doing villain-y things, anyway? Why is he even loitering around? This room has a desk and papers and stacks of books. It’s not exactly the type of place he should be just hanging out. Not when he has a kingdom to destroy.
“You thought this was the back entrance?”
I think quickly and decide on a falsehood I can share. I have to say something – anything – to keep him from just slitting my throat. I’m already under his watchful eye. He’s already staring at me. If I try to use my amulet now, I’m just going to be killed. I’m just going to anger him, upset him, and that’s really the last thing I need.
“Why, yes. I’m here for Mistress Alexandria’s dinner party,” I say, batting my eyes. “Is this not the right place?”
The lie is unconvincing. I probably should have thought of a better one before I wandered in. Wyatt eyes me up and down. I’m not dressed for a dinner party. We both know that. We both know that I’m dressed like I’m about to do some thieving. My cloak is tightly bound at my neck and the amulet is tucked safely inside. The little leather book is inside of my cloak pocket. I have a single blade strapped to my ankle. Aside from that, I’m unarmed.
Harmless.