CHAPTER 60: RUNNING

Regardless of the loud thumping of her heart, Aria moved quickly, picking out the biggest coat she had—one with a large hood—and pulling it over her head.

But instead of walking straight out the door, Aria knew better. Most of the castle was still awake, with people moving through the halls, and she couldn’t risk drawing attention to herself.

She even went as far as checking the hourglass, just to be certain of how many hours remained before Zyren would expect her in his room.

The wait was daunting. Even as she sat on her bed, sweat soaked through her back and into the thick fur of the coat she wore.

She was painfully aware that if she didn’t succeed in escaping tonight, the fate awaiting her would be far worse than whatever she was feeling now.

She remembered—clearly—the last time Zyren had bent her over the table. And she knew, this time, he wouldn’t even hesitate.

She panicked.

But despite the growing storm inside her, she waited. Sitting stiffly on her bed, she focused on slowing her erratic breathing, trying to keep it from spiraling out of control. Until finally—legs trembling slightly—she got to her feet.

She moved toward the door, took a long, slow breath, then pulled it open wide with a burst of conviction, lifting her head high as she stepped outside.

The guards at her door remained in place as usual. They didn’t move. And she didn’t explain where she was headed.

She was beyond glad that Zyren had granted her permission to wear coats at night. She didn’t even want to imagine what she would have done if she had to escape without one.

Her steps were steady, though her heartbeat was so loud and fast she feared it might give her away. That they’d hear it—sense something was wrong—and call her back.

But they didn’t.

No one stopped her.

Aria quickened her pace, heading down the stairs straight toward the garden, fully aware that it was the only route she could take to get through unnoticed.

Most of the servants had already retired for the night, and the few remaining paid her no attention. The only ones who even glanced her way were the guards, who didn’t so much as bat an eyelid as she passed through the garden.

She was still terrified. And the only thing hiding it was the black hood pulled over her head, concealing not just her pale, ghostly face—but the glaring absence of a collar around her neck.

By the time she reached the garden, her pace increased again, every step more purposeful. She headed straight toward the servants’ entrance, even as her eyes watered, vision blurring.

She was waiting—dreading—the sound of a deep, familiar voice calling her name. Waiting to be dragged back, thrown across the bed like an object. But as the seconds passed and no such voice came, her confidence slowly began to grow.

Surprised, she noted that the path she was taking didn’t just lead her out of the main building—it led to a small partition between the castle gates. One she could actually pass through.

Aria’s heart slammed violently in her chest as she stared at her only path to freedom. She was about to run—ready to bolt—when footsteps sounded behind her.

This time, they were coming straight for her.

"Who are you, and why are you—"

The voice was gruff, impatient, and clearly annoyed. And though Aria was trembling inside, she reacted instantly, lowering her hood in a way that revealed her face.

"Are you dumb?" she snapped, her tone laced with venom even as fear coiled in her stomach like a viper ready to strike.

"Don’t you know who I am?" she asked, her expression twisted into one steeped in pride—marinated in it—staring at him with the exact same look of disgust she’d seen Lady Vivian throw at her so often.

She hadn’t expected it to work. At best, she thought she’d be reprimanded and sent back to her room.

But to her utter shock, the guard lowered his head immediately, his body language making it clear he had no intention of arguing with her.

His voice, when he spoke next, was completely changed—softened with caution and respect.

"I apologize! I didn’t know who you are!"

He even bowed—head tilted low in the kind of deference vampires only showed to someone of high rank.

What Aria didn’t know was that her reputation had grown far darker than she imagined. The fact that she had poisoned Zyren and was still alive, still walking the palace halls, meant she must have been someone important—dangerous even. And in their eyes, that commanded respect.

Seeing the opportunity, Aria had no intention of letting it go to waste. She waved her hand sharply, dismissing him.

"Get out of my sight!" she ordered, voice sharp with authority—even as she muttered under her breath, "Who knew that strolling to digest one’s food was a crime?"

She kept her eyes locked on him, watching his every movement as he turned and walked away, her gaze pinned to his back until he was completely out of sight.

And even then—heart hammering in her chest—she didn’t move right away.

Only when she was absolutely sure he was gone did she sprint across the paved path, racing toward the gate like her life depended on it.

Maybe it did.

She clutched the coat tightly, ready to throw it off the moment it became a burden, her breathing harsh and uneven as her eyes locked on the slim opening in the gate—her escape.

She was fully aware that vampires could see perfectly in the dark, which made night a dangerous time to flee. But daytime wasn’t an option. By then, she would already be lying beside the enemy she had sworn to destroy.

What surprised her most was when she finally reached her destination—sweat pouring down her face—and realized she’d made it.

She passed through the gate. Safely.

No one had realized that she was gone. No one chased her.

’I’m free!’ she gasped within herself finding it hard to believe that she had truly escaped.