Chapter 4. Escape from the palace
AT THE SAME TIME
MEI SHEN’S POINT OF VIEW:
The moment the door shut behind him, a voice slithered into my mind, smooth, amused, like smoke curling around my thoughts.
"Well, well, Mei Shen." Zeyrith’s voice teased, colder than ice but warm with amusement. "Surprised you survived the night so... intact. Most would have fallen apart by now."
I clenched my fists, fire burning inside me.
"I’m not your puppet, Zeyrith. You gave me this second chance to live, not to be his toy."I said.
He chuckled softly.
"Ah, but that’s the game, isn’t it? Watching you struggle, plotting your little escapes... Yet here you are. Still breathing. Still fighting. I do admire your spirit."He said.
Dawn’s first light crept through the window, and I rose slowly, the weight of last night heavy on my skin but my will stronger than ever.
I had taken a small satchel from the room, some clothes, a hidden dagger, a vial of herbs. Enough to give me a fighting chance. If he thought I’d be trapped forever, he was dead wrong. I slipped through silent halls, heart pounding but steps steady. Each breath closer to freedom felt like a small victory. Outside, the crisp morning air hit my face. I was free, for now. But Zeyrith’s voice lingered, teasing and watching.
’Run, Mei Shen. Run as far as you can. The game is just beginning."He said.
I stared at my reflection in the cracked mirror, the long black hair that marked me, made me visible, a target. I had to change. If I were going to escape, I needed to disappear. With trembling hands, I pulled out the small dagger I had snatched from the satchel. The blade was sharp, but my hands shook too much to do this alone.