Free Chasing Shadows by Ashley Townsend

she was doing. But would a servant really appear self-assured in such an intimidating situation? She allowed herself to reveal a small amount of the genuine trepidation she felt as she approached the men guarding the gate. She kept her head low and tried to pass by them without notice.
    One of the guards grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.
    “Where do you think you’re goin’, missy?” he asked, his stare as hard as the grip he had on her. “We got strict orders not to let anyone pass.”
    Her heart felt ready to burst out of her chest in surprise, but her frustration over having been caught so quickly overshadowed her fear. “Then why not shut the gate so nobody can get in?” she ground out between clenched teeth.
    The man didn’t answer her but pulled her with him and released her several feet from the entrance. Wordlessly, he walked back to his post and scanned the perimeter, though he tactfully avoided her fiery gaze.
    Sarah had to fight against the urge to try and outrun the guards. But common sense overruled the desire when she realized that having them chase after her as she tried to apply for a position in the castle might not be an incentive to hire her.
    “Fine,” she muttered under her breath. “I’ll find my own way, then.”
    She walked along the outside of the gate, examining the fortress for any other entrances. There were none. She rounded the far side and was about to give up hope when she spotted the servants’ entrance at the back of the gate.
    “Bingo.” She smiled to herself and started in that direction.
    Someone grabbed her arm, and she spun around in fright, assuming that one of the guards had caught up with her. She expelled a gusty breath when she looked up and caught Will’s stern expression.
    “What are you doing?” she whispered, glancing around to make sure no one had spotted them. There were a few of the townsfolk on the backside of the castle, but none of them paid attention to them. “Were you trying to give me a heart attack?”
    “What are you doing?” he repeated in his quiet way. His hand fell from her arm.
    “What are you doing?” she shot back, staring up at him.
    “Keeping you out of trouble.” He adjusted the sack slung over his shoulder, drawing her attention to it.
    “What is that?”
    “You’re evading my previous question.”
    Sarah cringed. How did he always know what she was thinking? It was very inconvenient when she was trying to distract him.
    Giving up on her ruse, she straightened her shoulders and mustered all the confidence she was far from feeling. “I’m applying for a position in the castle.”
    His eyes narrowed, but she didn’t shrink back. “I thought I made it clear how dangerous this will be.”
    “You did. But I can make my own decisions.” She waited for him to tell her otherwise and prepared to argue over the subject with him.
    He expelled a gusty sigh and shook his head at her wordlessly. Taking her elbow, he guided her toward the servants’ entrance.
    “What are you doing?” she whispered, looking around nervously. He kept his eyes straight ahead.
    “I am not letting you go in there alone.”
    Sarah’s surprised melted into a small smile. So he did still care. If he had been in a better mood, she might have teased him a little about this fact.
    Her smile faded as they neared the tall gate. She felt suddenly insignificant and unsure and moved a little closer to Will. He must have sensed her hesitancy, because his pace slowed and he caught her eye. “Do you still wish to do this?”
    She nodded, though she was sure her face still conveyed some of her unease. “I need to do this.”
    He didn’t question her further as they stepped up to the door. He removed his hand from her arm and knocked.
    A servant answered. Her face was pale and narrow, and she wore an old apron speckled with flour over her ratty clothes. Her collarbone was pronounced above the neckline of the gray dress, and Sarah was sure that the girl