Chapter 9: Thorns Without Roses

Drusila comes many hours later, and she looks different. I do not know how long I've stayed in this dark room, but I survived. My wolf did not desert me as Jai-Blynn expected, and I can't wait to throw it in his face.

The old lady opens the cage and sets me free. I was shivering with fear when she found me. The dark is somewhere I dislike, even with my wolf's vision because a part of my history is dark enough to suffice.

Since I woke up here, Drusila is the only one who's shown me kindness, so I save the bite of my tongue for those who need it. The fabric of her clothes is different now. She's dressed in a finely cut purple maxi skirt and jacket. Her age doesn't deceive me as it did when I first saw her in that tunic and knee-length boots.

"We've reached land."

I strain my ears, but I do not hear birds chirping.

"How long has it been?" I ask as she leads me through a narrow passage I'm not familiar with.

"Fourteen hours." Drusila stops before a small door and turns to me. "You ca