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382. FOLLOWING THE MAGIC
NARRATORThe impact was brutal. The air escaped from the woman's lungs in a strangled gasp as her head slammed against the stone.The pain was immediate and blinding.Katherine felt the world spin around her before collapsing, powerless, onto the plush carpet.Her vision blurred, and from the floor, she barely made out Francis retreating, a shadow vanishing through the door.*****Meanwhile, Francis ran like a condemned man through the hallway, dodging a few maids checking the rooms, making his way into an abandoned wing.The “treasure” he had stolen was clutched in his hands, his direct path leading to the wing of the late Dukes, a place rarely searched—his ticket out of this prison.*****KATHERINE"Madam!" Amid my haze, I heard a female voice calling me and felt hands trying to lift me up.My blurry eyes managed to focus for a second.It was a maid and two footmen helping me. It seemed they had heard me scream."The… the man, Francis! He was here, find him!""But you're not well…"
383. SECRET EXIT
KATHERINESweat poured down my body, my teeth chattering uncontrollably inside my mouth. It felt like the seconds were stretching into hours.I could hear the rattling of the pulleys as they passed through the wheels, the screech of metal against stone, and the wood trembling.It only lasted a moment, yet to me, it felt like an eternity.When I finally reached the end of my descent, the dumbwaiter—or whatever this box was—came to a stop.I stayed still, silent, listening only to my own ragged breathing and the frantic pounding of my heart against my chest. I opened my eyes slightly, feeling the dampness on my lashes. My hand reached out to pull the lever.Beyond these metal walls, I might find my death—I didn’t know. But there was no turning back now.With a screech, the doors began to open.I pressed myself against the back of the compartment, fighting off my ghosts, bracing myself for a battle. But none of that was necessary.Outside, it was dim, looking like an underground space. I
384. SAVING MY DAUGHTER
KATHERINEI lay on the ground for a second, catching my breath, staring at the distant treetops, filling my lungs with fresh oxygen.I coughed softly and sat up.Beside me stood the stone well I had just climbed out of.In the distance, the silhouette of the castle faintly outlined itself against the evening sky, the last orange rays of the sun casting a glow.This had to be some secret exit from the Duke’s residence.I got to my feet—there was no time to lose. Every second counted.Quickly wiping the dirt from my palms, I checked the red seal, concentrating. The signal hadn’t faded, and it was pointing me in a direction through this tangled woodland.With a furious tug, I tore the skirts of my dress, ripping away several layers. I needed more agility—they had nearly tripped me several times, and the weight was unbearable.Now with my boots free, I took off running toward the path traced by the red line.*****Crouching behind the bushes, I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady
385. CAPTURED
KATHERINE"Sweetheart, careful!" I caught her in my arms, breaking the impact.She was gasping for breath, completely leaning against me—I could feel her tiny heart racing wildly."Baby, just a little more, honey. We’re so close. We can’t stop." I cast a nervous glance toward the path ahead. I couldn’t see clearly, but I knew the monsters were out there.I crouched in front of Lavinia, who could barely speak, still trying to catch her breath."M-Mama, I’m so… so tired… Mama… I’m scared…" She threw her arms around my neck, sobbing again.All I could do was stroke her head and back, my heart aching at the bruises marring her delicate face. Those filthy bastards hadn’t even spared a child."My love, I know you’re tired, but I can’t carry you, sweetheart—you’re too heavy. We’d never escape." I wiped her tears away with my fingers, pressing a soft kiss to her dirt-streaked forehead.We were both a mess."Just a little more, my love. I promise we’re almost there." I started to stand, but th
386. THE MAGIC OF LOVE
KATHERINE"No, no, leave my daughter alone, leave her! You can do whatever you want with me, I'll be your hostage, me!"I offered myself, but that old witch listened to her son and went after Lavinia."Let me go, let me go! Aaahhh, you damn psychopath!" I roared when his mouth bit me.I felt his teeth breaking the skin of my lower lip, making me bleed before he pulled away, savoring it.He had me trapped against the tree, completely controlled—I couldn't escape."So you're willing to do anything, little Duchess. What if I offer you a deal? If you behave, maybe I'll let your brat go." Suddenly, in the middle of my struggle, he said those words that made me stop and look at him.I knew he was playing with me. I understood perfectly well what he would ask of me next. I had been through this situation so many times.For a plate of food after days of starvation, for a sip of filthy water, for something to keep me warm so I wouldn’t freeze to death in my cell… how many times had I been forc
387. PSYCHIATRIC MADWOMAN
KATHERINEThe scream got stuck in my throat.It was nothing but a blur—heavy footsteps thundering against the earth, emerging from the deep forest, massive claws reaching for Francis’s back.Its roar tore through the night, shaking the entire world. The man who had me trapped had no time to react.A shriek of agony filled the air when that fur-covered hand latched onto his throat, holding him like a ragdoll.It lifted him over its head, wrenching him away from me.Before my eyes, it stood like a giant—merciless, red-eyed, its gaze like two frozen rubies.The force of the impact made me collapse against the tree, hugging my knees tightly to my chest as if they could protect me.I was trembling, my teeth chattering, my vision flooded with crimson as a rain of blood poured from above.Francis’s body was shredded between its claws. Its gaping maw didn’t stop roaring, consumed by visceral hatred.Organs flew through the air, staining the green grass—an arm landed near my feet.I curled up
388. LET'S GO TO THE RESCUE
KATHERINEThis was the most bizarre and insane situation of my entire existence.And yet, I was starting to realize that he didn’t seem to want to hurt me. I mean, how much sniffing and licking did he need before taking a bite?I dared to open my eyes just a crack, only to find dark fur dominating my vision.My heart pounded wildly, and I felt the heat of his breath and the dampness of his nose… inside my cleavage.I was speechless. Had I just escaped one pervert only to end up with another?A ridiculous thought crossed my dazed mind—I needed to get out of this situation, find Lavinia. If he was going to eat me, he should just get it over with.My trembling hand inched upward, millimeter by millimeter. I felt so small with this massive beast looming over me.My fingers twitched uncontrollably, reaching toward his… his… where was I even touching?His snout?No, no. What if he suddenly opened his mouth? The image of those fangs, the carnage—it was all too fresh in my mind.His ears? Too
389. HOSTAGE FOR HOSTAGE
KATHERINEThe ground rumbled beneath his steps, the dark treetops looming close above us.I looked up at his beastly features. He sniffed the air and changed direction.His furry ears twitched, catching every whisper of the night. So powerful… It was unbelievable that Elliot was this creature.A high-pitched scream tore through the forest, sending shivers down my spine."That’s Lavinia, it’s our daughter!" I screamed, my heart lodged in my throat, twisting desperately to see ahead. The trees cleared, revealing a sight that froze the blood in my veins.A rickety suspension bridge, crudely built with vines and wood, stretched between two distant edges. Beneath it lay a deep gorge.Below, the swamp’s murky green waters appeared still, but dark shadows slithered just beneath the surface.It was infested with alligators. And now, on that unstable bridge, that damn witch held my daughter by the arm, forcing her forward toward this side.A bone-chilling roar made the woman stop in her tracks
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