“Where are you going?” Niklas asked, catching up to him with running steps.

“I'm taking the slave with me.”

“What? You mean the slave that killed your family?”

Ren grabbed a torch from a sconce, leading the way down the narrow steps to the dungeon. “I don't think he did. And Berin is right, there's a good chance I'll need his help,” he said, pointing to the hook on the wall. “Grab the keys.”

Niklas murmured something about it being a bad idea, but took the key bundle from the hook on the wall and tossed it to Ren.

“Keep watch by the stairs,” Ren instructed.

For the second time in the span of a day, Ren made his way into the dungeons.. Ten minutes. He had to be swift. Hopefully, they hadn't moved Anik to a different part of the castle.

He ran past the lions this time, making them startle and growl in the darkness. Not being able to see them didn't make Ren's heart skip any less. To his relief, Anik was where Ren had hoped he'd be.

“Get up,” Ren said, coming to a stop in front of the Lowlander's cell.

The slave was an unmoving figure in the corner, curled up like a cat.

“I said, get up, slave.”

The slave lifted his head, but otherwise didn't move. “I told you, my name is Anik. And I don't have to do what you say. I'll be dead in an hour anyway.”

Ren banged his hands hard against the metal bars, making them rattle. “I'm fleeing the castle, and you're my slave. You can either sit here and wait to die or come with me,” Ren hissed, looking over his shoulder towards the stairs. They were wasting time.

Finally, Anik stirred. Pushing himself upright, he stalked closer to the bars. There was a strange look in his eyes, one Ren couldn't decipher. He looked Ren up and down as if trying to decide whether Ren was playing a trick. “Where are we going?”

“Away from here,” Ren said simply, and stuck the key in the lock. The cell door squeaked when it swung open and Ren didn't wait to see if Anik followed him, but turned and ran back towards the stairs where Niklas waited.

Anik stopped behind them. Niklas looked at the tall Lowlander with wide eyes, but said nothing.

“All right, go to the stables,” Niklas said, tearing his gaze from Anik. “Keelan is waiting for you.” He gripped Ren's wrist before stepping in close and wrapping both arms around him in a tight embrace. “Be careful, Ren. Promise me. I don't want to lose you.”

Ren clenched his jaw, leaning into the hug and allowing himself to soak up the comfort it provided. “You, too.”

Reaching the stables meant crossing into the open. They ran the distance, Ren's heart in his throat, but no guards called out for them to halt, and they slipped through the stable doors undetected.