Actually, I needed to start looking for a way to get out.

Especially that last part. The getting out. I’d told myself escaping from the tundra of Avolire was going to be incredibly difficult. The mountains of snow between me and freedom were not figurative. I hadn’t the slightest idea how to actually get to safety if I were to try and make a run for it. If I were smart, I would’ve bolted while we were in New Orleans. We’d been in the middle of Jackson Square, in the heart of the city . . . in the heart of my city. Sure, I was from England, but I’d lived in New Orleans for quite a long time now. I knew that city, every inch of it. All the nooks and crannies—or at least the human parts of it. I could have gotten out of Sweyn’s grip before she’d even finished turning all those humans and noticed I was gone. But I’d been just as distracted as she had by Everest and his crew. Discovering my suspicions about Braison’s loyalty to The Coven was true was not a surprise, however learning Malik, Saber, and that Libby person were against Sweyn had shocked me quite a bit. But Everest? I was still rattled by that revelation and part of me didn’t believe it still.

Right, pull yourself together, Pierce. She’ll smell your betrayal like a shark sensing blood in the water.

I stopped outside the doors for court and focused on my breathing. An erratic pulse wasn’t going to help me. Escaping her clutches wasn’t going to happen tonight, so I needed to keep my cool. If I was calm and focused, I’d have a better chance of planning a real escape. It was just before sunset and the steel shutters hadn’t even rolled up yet, but I knew she was in there. I didn’t want to see her, but I didn’t want her to sneak up on me either. I needed to just confirm if my services were required this evening. Ever since the Unseelies had arrived, she’d barely paid attention to me. I wanted to be ready to use that to my advantage.

Just as I was reaching for the door handle, it swung open in my face. I leapt back to avoid being hit but a pale hand snagged the edge of the door, stopping it an inch from my nose. The Unseelie Prince leaned over, then glared down at me. My pulse quickened. My body locked in place as I just stared. The Unseelies were cold aliens that made me uncomfortable. But this one was different. His black eyes weren’t soulless like the others. There was depth and passion, even if his aura was dark and menacing. There was something intoxicating about him though, especially this close.