“Where are we?” He steps closer, though he is still unsteady on his feet.

I frown. “I’m not really sure, actually. Somewhere in Parilla. There’s a tavern and inn somewhere around here…” I let my voice trail off, realizing I must sound very unhelpful. I don’t wish to confuse him even more.

I risk a quick glance back toward Sebastian, when suddenly the man lurches forward and grabs me by the shoulders.

“What happened? Where am I? Tell me! Tell me, please!”

I struggle, but his grip is much more solid than his feet. Desperation consumes the man’s thoughts with questions I can’t answer.

“Let her go!” Sebastian bolts out of the bushes swinging his pack. It startles the man enough to loosen his grasp so I can break free. Sebastian grabs my hand, and we dart back into the bushes, running as though our lives depend on it.

I told you it was dangerous to talk to him!

I shudder. While I’m not sure the man himself is dangerous, clearly something bad happened to him. I don’t want to stick around long enough for it to happen to us too.

Together, we head back toward the path. It’s safer for us to remain in the woods, hidden from other people, until we reach somewhere public, like a village with lots of places to hide—or even better, our destination, the Parillan Archives.

Suddenly, my foot catches on something, and I go flying into the ferns. The breath is knocked from my lungs. For a moment, I sit there, just as dazed as the man in the clearing.

Sebastian helps me up, and I brush off my dress. He attempts to make a joke but still can’t muster a smile. “What have I told you about daydreaming?”

I manage to laugh, though my ribs feel a bit sore. “Not to do it while I’m walking.” The hem of my dress is torn and smudged with green and brown. “At least the ferns were soft.”

He yawns. “Do you think we’ll find another town before nightfall?”

I shake my head. “I doubt it. We’ll probably have to sleep in the woods tonight.” If we were near a village, I’d sense it by now.

Sebastian looks stricken. I’d almost forgotten how much he hates sleeping outside. Back when we were the Lady’s, he’d had no choice when she sent him on missions. When he returned, he was always exhausted because he could barely sleep for fear of all the things that lurked in the darkness.

But I’m not afraid. Once, the Lady used me to talk down a bear while we were on an excursion for her. Convinced it to walk right out of the camp and away from our food stores. It was terrifying while it was happening, but now I know it can be done. And I could do it again if I had to. Well, as long as I got some sleep first.

“Let’s keep walking, and we’ll see what we can find.” We continue on, our steps getting more and more lethargic.