Free To Hell and Back by H. P. Mallory Page B

wished he’d wake up so I could give him a clean bill of health and be on my way back to the Underground City. But that was just wishful thinking … The nature of the business which called me here requires me to stay for another day or so, which means I probably won’t be able to see you until Friday, or maybe even later.
    I shuddered as I awaited his reply because I knew Alaire was used to getting what he wanted and wouldn’t be a good sport when he didn’t.
    This will not do.
    I sighed again, frustration growing inside me. I really didn’t feel like justifying myself to Alaire at the moment. No, I was exhausted and my hands were still burning as if I’d just plunged them into boiling water. And my arms and my shoulders didn’t feel much better—my muscles ached after the numerous floggings I’d had to deliver. I probably needed my sleep as much as Tallis did. I’m not sure what you want me to do, I responded testily. Even if I were to leave at this exact moment, it would STILL take me four days to reach the gates of the Underground from here.
    You are in breach of our agreement, Ms. Harper , Alaire texted back almost immediately. I could detect the anger seeping through his terse words.
    My teeth began gritting of their own accord and even though I wanted to tell Alaire where he could shove it, I knew I couldn’t. Not while Alaire basically still held all the cards in the deck known as “Lily Harper’s Future.” I’m sorry, but it couldn’t be avoided. I decided to add an unhappy face emoticon, hoping it might make Alaire feel sorry for me.
    There was another long pause, and I wondered if maybe he was contacting Afterlife Enterprises to make sure I did get the infraction he’d promised to waive. As soon as that thought formed in my head, anxiety started brewing in my gut and I felt nauseous.
    Hello? Are you still there? I typed, suddenly scared to death that I had just earned my first infraction. One more and I’d be headed to Shade, where I’d have to stay for the next hundred years …
    Apologies for the delay, he replied as my heart continued to hammer in my chest. I have dispatched a guide to accompany you from your current location back to the gates of the Underground City.
    I exhaled a pent-up breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. So apparently Alaire hadn’t been on the line with Afterlife Enterprises, which meant I wasn’t in jeopardy of earning my first infraction! I could only hope … But that didn’t explain the guide he’d dispatched.
    Thanks for the guide (I think?), I texted back, my heart climbing up my throat. I was still too concerned about whether or not my neck was still on the line in the infraction department to even contemplate why Alaire would send me a guide in the first place.
    You are quite welcome.
    Then I thought I probably should inquire. So maybe I’m missing something, but I’m not sure why you’re sending me a guide?
    I must admit my reasons are selfish ones.
    His answer managed to clear up nothing so I decided to shelve the infraction-or-not subject for the present and, instead, pondered the subject of a guide. Selfish? What do you mean?
    Quite simple, really, he replied immediately. Your trip will be much shorter with someone who knows how to navigate the Dark Wood and knows how to do so extremely quickly. And a shorter trip means I will have the pleasure of your company sooner.
    I was lost as to how a guide could impact the length of my journey to the Underground City and decided to quiz Alaire on that topic. But how will a guide speed up a four-day journey to the gates of the Underground? I started, and then immediately added: And I’ll have to wait another four days for your guide to even get here, so I’m not sure why you think I’ll arrive any sooner than I would if I came on my own? Before he had the chance to answer, I typed: Speaking of, how in the world is your guide planning to find me?
    That was a barrage of questions, he texted back.
    I’m