"Come on. We're pros at breaking out of places now, right?" Felix said, offering me his hand. "Just like old times."

"By old times, you mean a few weeks ago escaping from the other place I was locked up at?" I responded, staring down at his hand.

"Exactly."

I lifted my hand and hesitated before touching his, dropping it back down. "I'm not sure, Felix."

His eyes narrowed. "You want to stay locked up here?"

"No, I don't," I said honestly. If he had asked me twenty-four hours ago, I would have said yes, but not now. "I'm really injured. I have to be careful. I'm afraid if I get hurt anymore, my body just might give out on me. And I'm not being dramatic when I say that. When Kaz shot me, I think he hit tore my tendon."

Felix froze. "What did you just say? Kaz shot you?"

"It was by accident," I said quickly, and then realized I'd just defended Kaz hurting me while trying to kill my father. "I mean no, it wasn't," I corrected, biting the inside of my cheek, feeling unsettled. Why had my first instinct been to defend Kaz? Why did I even think for a second it was an accident that he shot me? He clearly hadn't cared if I was in the way or not. He wanted my father dead more than keeping me safe.

"What is wrong with Kaz? Why is he acting like this?" Felix asked, his hand balling into a fist. "How could he do this to you? I thought he was in love with you. I guess that was far from the truth."

I didn't answer, the memory of Kaz's confession slipping into my mind. He'd seemed so sincere. Could all that have been a lie, too? Was it all fake? Or...

"No matter, Cleo. I'm healthy," Felix assured me. "I'll fight our way out if I have to. And I can carry you if you can't walk yourself. This place isn't too big."

"Where are we, anyway?" I asked.

Now that I was a little sounder of mind, I took in my surroundings properly for the first time. The room wasn't exactly elegant, but it also wasn't like a prison cell, either. In fact, it reminded me of my room back at the academy. There was a queen-sized bed I'd yet to use, opting to stay curled on the floor, a vanity, two plush-looking recliners, a small table where my cold food sat, and a bookcase with a few dusty books and a box of tissues. I didn't think I was at some sort of vampire jail, but I also wasn't somewhere like Claude's estate.

"This is one of the royal family's estates," Felix told me. "Not the main one, though. There are a few. It's why I took so long to find you. I thought you'd be at the main one. But no, you're here, and not even in the main building, either."

I didn't know how to feel about the fact that Claude hadn't actually thrown me in a jail cell. Relieved? But he had still arrested me in the first place. Why would I feel relieved I wasn't in an actual cell? Everything was so confusing now. I rubbed my forehead, a dull ache forming. "How did you figure out I was in this building?"

Felix smirked a little, seemingly proud of himself. "I staked myself out at the main building and waited until I saw someone I recognized and followed them here. That person ended up being Kaz."

"So, Kaz is going between the two buildings?"

"It seems so."

I considered this. Then maybe the reason I hadn't seen Claude yet was because he couldn't get here without being noticed by Nadir or Kaz. If what Felix had said was true, and I believed it was true, Claude probably didn't have any other choice but to go along with Nadir's orders. Even though Nadir wasn't in charge anymore, I understood that Claude still had to do what was best for his people. He couldn't choose me.

Or maybe I was making excuses for Claude.

I shook that thought away, redirecting my focus to Felix. "How easy was it to get to me?"

"For having you prisoner, the security is lacking," he answered. "I think we'll be able to escape pretty easily. I barely saw anyone on my way here. Just Kaz."

I dropped my gaze to the floor. "But even if I left, where would I go?"

Could I go home? What would happen if I did? Kieran would blame our father's death on me. I knew she would— and in a way, she wasn't wrong. Everything I'd worked toward with her was gone. I didn't know if I could ever get it back. If I showed up there was a chance she'd attack me, and with my wounds, I could get even more hurt... or worse.

There was a chance my mother would still be on my side, though. After what my father did to her, drugging her, keeping her locked up, maybe she wouldn't hate me as much for his death. But if she showed me concern, then would Kieran turn her back on our mother as well? Would the other hunters? They probably already blamed me for my father's death. I didn't want to put her in danger if she treated me kindly. Kieran, either.

There was too much at risk for me to attempt to go home. I would need to plan carefully for that.

"You can come to my home," Felix told me, suddenly looking a little shy, scuffing his foot on the floor, his hands clasped behind his back.

For some reason, seeing him looking shy made my cheeks warm up. "Is that really okay? You'd be harboring a criminal."

"Cleo, you know how most of the world views me. I don't think it'll make a difference if anyone ever finds out."

"That doesn't make me feel better about you helping me," I said, frowning.

"If things go wrong, I have another trick up my sleeve," he said.

"What's that?"

He pointed at one of his eyes. "My true status."

I shook my head immediately. "No way, Felix! You said you didn't want to be a part of that. I don't want you to reveal who you are just for my sake."

"Hey, it'd be for my sake, too. My sake of freedom if they decide to imprison me for stealing you away, that is," he said, putting his hand on the top of my head and ruffling my hair gently.

"Felix."

His hand dropped down, and he took my hand in his. "Cleo. I'm not leaving you here. They haven't let you shower in days. You look like you're one step away from death. I don't know how Kaz can see you like this and not do anything about it."

"Part of that is kind of my fault," I acknowledged, ducking my head. "I just haven't been hungry, and I haven't been able to sleep. As for a shower... I don't know. Maybe Nadir didn't offer because I've refused to speak to him this whole time."

"Well, I don't blame you after all you've been through. That's why someone should help take care of you right now. You need that support," Felix responded. "Come with me. I am sure I can get you out of here."

Still uncertain, I didn't answer for a moment. I didn't want to stay here alone— that much I knew. I had no idea what Kaz and Claude planned for me, and I needed to be careful. I wanted to believe in Claude, but what if everything between us had been a lie, too, to trick me? Was I really going to be forced into a marriage with him? Would I stay locked up here even after that? For the rest of my life?

I was so shaken up about everything, but I knew I couldn't stay here. Not with the threat hanging over me that Kaz would kill the rest of my family. I needed to leave and figure out what to do next.

One step at a time, I reminded myself. And the first step would be breaking out of here.

"Let's do it," I said, meeting Felix's gaze.

A grin grew on Felix's lips. "Perfect. The dynamic duo back at it again."

I felt myself smiling again, too. "Think Kaz is standing outside the room right now?"

"Oh, definitely. I'll go distract him and take a peek around. You gather whatever you need to take with you."

I scratched the side of my cheek. "About that... I don't have any of my stuff. None of it was given to me. It might all be back at the academy still."

Felix pursed his lips. "Of course. Well, don't worry. I have a bunch of stuff at my place you can use. Things tend to pile up when you inherit the belongings of fifty people at once. You might think I'm a hoarder."

The way he said heartbreaking things like that so casually didn't make sense to me. I couldn't even imagine casually commenting about my father's death. But perhaps that was just how Felix coped? Would I one day cope that way as well? It was hard to wrap my mind around, but maybe it was better than suffering.

"Be right back," Felix said, slipping out of the room.

Before the door closed, I immediately heard Kaz's voice, confirming my suspicions of him being right outside. Hopefully, he hadn't been eavesdropping.

I looked around the room, double-checking to see if anything was worth taking, and carefully then checked on my wounds. Admittedly, Nadir had been doing a very good job helping me heal. Even I could admit he was skilled. Although he never said much, his hands were gentle and capable.

Realizing I was beginning to feel bad about sneaking out, I shoved my thoughts to the side, grabbing the heels I'd worn to the ball. I didn't have to feel bad leaving. I'd been wrongfully arrested and trapped here. Although it was strange that Felix had said there was basically no security here. Wouldn't they have put more to make sure I stayed put? Or did they think I wouldn't even attempt to leave and sit here like a good prisoner?

I stared down at the floor, my chest feeling heavy again, knowing that if Felix hadn't come, I probably would have stayed.

A muffled shout and thud came from the hallway, startling me. Seconds later, the door swung open, and Felix popped his head in, hooking his thumb toward the hall. "Good to go."

"What did you—" I started, but my voice died on my tongue as I stepped out of the room and saw Kaz sprawled out on the ground, unconscious. "Felix!"

Felix grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. "Forget him."

"But he's—"

"I just got his pressure point. He'll be fine. We have to make use of the time he's out."

I glanced back at Kaz's prone form before we turned the corner, and he vanished from sight. Again, I was worrying for Kaz. Why? I clenched my teeth, not understanding myself.

Each step hurt, but Felix and I quickly exited the building, stepping into the freezing December air. The skin bit at my exposed legs and feet, Felix's sweater doing little to keep me warm. As we walked away from the building I'd been in, I turned to get a look at it. While it wasn't small in any way, it didn't come close to the size of the main building on my family's estate. The style was similar, though— with walls made of different colored stones, pinnacles, and parapets. Definitely a regular residence, not a jail.

The forest surrounded us and there was a paved road leading into the thick of it. We started down the road, sticking to the edge, but not walking in the dirt. I wondered if Felix chose to walk in the open because it would be a struggle for me to walk in the forest.

"Once we get to the main road, I'll call an Uber."

"A what?"

Felix's eyes flitted to me. "You don't know what an Uber is?"

"No?"

"Oh, right, you probably have always had drivers. It's basically like hiring a random person to be your driver."

"I just never left the estate," I corrected. "But trusting a stranger to drive me around sounds... scary."

"I'll be with you," Felix promised.

"I meant in general."

He chuckled. "The good thing is I'll have a car when we get back. I didn't take one here to be less conspicuous."

Every few seconds I looked behind me, ready to see Kaz catching up to us, or Nadir, or any guards, but Felix and I were totally alone on the road. I didn't let my guard down, but my heart rate was starting to settle.

It'd been so easy to leave. Were they even trying that hard to keep me locked up? If not, why not?

A little further down the road, the forest opened up again. Looming in the distance above the tree line was the sight of towers, gables, pinnacles. As we approached the forest's edge, I knew immediately that those towers belonged to the main building because of the sheer size of the residence. It was enormous, and even that word didn't do it justice. It was far bigger than my family's estate's main residence.

I paused as we exited the forest, my mouth going dry as I stared at the residence in full. I couldn't even call it a residence— it was a castle. Walls of elegantly carved sandstone stretching toward the sky along with spires. Stained glass windows, tall and beautiful. Flying buttresses, grand and imposing.

In front of the castle was a vast, snow-covered garden. I could see gazebos, fountains, statues, and tall shrubs. Even in the winter, it was beautiful.

"Cleo, we don't have time to admire Claude's assets," Felix urged, putting his lower hand on my back. "I think we have to cut through the garden. The woods will be too rough for you. Be careful not to be seen."

I swallowed, nodding, and taking a step forward. "Let's go, then."

We headed for the rows of tall shrubs that created the illusion of a path through the garden. My feet were freezing, the heels offering little protection from the snow, and my teeth started chattering. Fortunately for us, the cold weather kept the gardens empty.

But part of me wondered about the lack of security. If this was where the royal family lived, why would there be no guards keeping watch? Wasn't that dangerous?

An opening in the shrubs had me staring up at the colossal castle again. Was Claude somewhere in there?

I closed my eyes and moved forward, not letting myself dwell on that question. We couldn't delay here. It was too dangerous. We had to escape.

"Cleo?"

I froze when I heard my voice, my breath catching in my throat. Felix stilled beside me, too, realizing at the same time I did that we'd been caught.

But not by who I thought we'd be caught by.

Slowly, I turned in the direction of the voice to see Sura stepping through the opening I'd just paused at. My heart leapt into my throat. She looked different from the last time I saw her. In a good way. She had gained weight and no longer looked as scrawny and malnourished as before. The color had returned to her brown skin, the sparkle to her golden eyes. And she wore a long, emerald dress that suited both her status and beauty.

She moved toward us, her eyebrows furrowed together. "What are you doing here?"

Felix moved in front of me before I could answer, throwing out a hand protectively. "Even if you're royalty, if you try to stop us then, I won't sit back and do nothing."

"Stop you?" Sura repeated, her hand going to her heart, taking in Felix's aggression. "Stop you from what? Where are you coming from? Why are you sneaking around here? Does Claude know you two are here?"

Felix and I shared a bewildered look. Did Sura not know what was going on? How was that possible?

"You didn't know your son arrested Cleo and locked her up?" Felix asked, folding his arms over his chest.

Sura's eyes widened. "Arrested? For what?"

"Stop right there, Felix!" a voice called from the distance before Felix or I could answer Sura.

Sura, Felix, and I all turn toward the voice. Kaz was sprinting through the gardens toward us, his jacket whipping in the wind behind him as he ran.

"Crap," Felix muttered. "He woke up fast."

I whipped back around to him, panic clawing up my chest. If Kaz caught us, I would be dragged back into that room. And now that I was free from it I didn't go back. I grabbed Felix's hand, ready to run, even if it would re-open my wounds.

"Stop!" Kaz demanded, sliding in the snow a little as he sprinted to catch up to us.

"Should we run?" I asked Felix.

He nodded once before turning to pull me through the opening in the tall shrubs where Sura had come from, but both of us came to a halt as we realized two other guards were already there, daggers raised. Felix held my hand tighter, his jaw tensing.

"Release the prisoner," one of the guards in front of us demanded. He was an older vampire with short greying hair and a gruff voice.

"You'll have to make me," Felix responded.

"Capture them!" Kaz called from behind us.

I looked around wildly, trying to find a way to escape. I knew I couldn't fight, nor did I want to. Things would be worse for us if I did, I was sure. Kaz and the other guards were catching up quickly, though, and I noticed Felix swallow. Did he think there wasn't a way out of this, either?

Abruptly, a hand enclosed around my upper arm, yanking me back, away from Felix. Startled, I lost my balance, unable to right myself as the grey-haired guard kept a firm grip on my arm. I twisted and fell to my knees in the snow, grunting in pain as the injury to my side burned in pain.

Felix immediately tried to come to my defense, but the other guard stepped up to him, holding out a dagger. "Don't move if you don't want to be arrested, too," she ordered.

"Ugh," I groaned, trying to get back on my feet so my wound wasn't stretched out.

"Stay there," the guard holding onto me ordered, twisting my arm to assert his demand.

I groaned in pain again, and this time Felix moved forward, ripping the female guard's hand off me. "Let her go!"

The female guard held her dagger at the ready, snatching the back of Felix's shirt. "I warned you—"

"Stop it!" Sura suddenly shouted. "Unhand her!"

I glanced up at her, seeing her shoulders shaking, her eyes trained on the grey-haired guard holding onto me.

"Your Highness, this human is a prisoner who—" he began, but snapped his mouth shut as Sura glared at him.

"I do not care," she said, her voice cold. "This is an order from the royal family. Unhand them both. Now!"

A shudder went down my spine at Sura's commands. The fury radiating in her eyes reminded me of the first few times I had met Claude. She stood tall and imposing, but the guards refused to release us. "Your Highness, we cannot allow the one who attempted to assassinate King Claude to escape," the female one said.

Sura lost some of her composure, taking a minute to respond, eyes flittering to mine. "She did what?"

The guard yanked me back to my feet just as Kaz caught up to us and I swear I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. "Let me go," I demanded, the pain bringing tears to my eyes. "You're hurting me!"

"Silence!" the grey-haired guard snapped. "Hold still."

I struggled to break free, knowing my wounds were probably torn open again already. Sweat beaded at my forehead and I swayed on my feet, days of not eating or sleeping catching up to me in the worse way as my vision grew dizzy.

"Cleo," Kaz started, his breath heavy, his green eyes focused on me. "Just listen to—"

"Did you not hear me?" Sura said, regaining her anger. "Release her. Do not make me repeat myself again."

The grey-haired guard turned to her. "But Your Highness—"

"These two will be in my care from here on. You are dismissed."

The guard's grip on me loosened, but he still didn't let go. "I beg of you to reconsider. This human poses a risk to you and everyone else here."