Free Lila's Wolf (Out of Time Book 1) by Sofia Grey

Lila?”
    “She’s locked in the cellar. I’ve been given permission to take a message to her. They’re planning to challenge you—whatever that means—when the warlord returns. Something to do with the midsummer rites.”
    Marc grunted again, shifting in his manacles as though trying to get comfortable. “Any idea how long?”
    “A couple of days at most. Do you have backup on its way?”
    “No.” He coughed and spat some more blood. “The comm unit failed, and we have to wait for pickup. Are you any good with circuits? It’s hidden in the heel of my boot, if you can find it.”
    Jared cast his eyes around the room. No boots visible. “Any weaponry?”
    “A stunner, disguised as a piece of jewelery. It’s attached to a silver armband on my left arm.” He shook the arm and flexed his fingers.
    Jared pretended to stretch and looked at the guard, who watched them, a cool smile on his face. There was no chance of removing the armband right now. “He’s too close. I’ll have to try and come back.”
    “Lila knows the coordinates for the jump home. If I can’t get out of here, can I trust you to get her there?”
    “ Enough .” The guard slammed his iron-clad fist against the door. “You’ve had enough time.”
    “Yes.” Jared spoke clearly, raising his voice as the guard grabbed his arm to haul him out of the cell. “I won’t let you down.”
     

Chapter Twenty-Four
    Lila
    I found a semi-comfortable position and leaned against the wall, and then waited. It didn’t seem a long time before I heard footsteps approaching and the door bolt scraped open. I was ready for the change in light this time and squinted until I could see better. A fully armored guard stood in the open doorway, his shining breastplate gleaming in the reflected light, and then another figure approached. I shrank back. Another slave. Oh God, Jared .
    My heart skittered, and my emotions battled with each other, my thoughts running wild. Did I have to pretend I didn’t know him? He was alone this time, apart from the guard, so could we speak freely? Could I tell him how I felt?
    One question was answered when he dropped to his knees before me and closed his shaking hands over my own. “He won’t understand us, but I can only stay a few minutes,” he whispered in our native tongue, and my eyes filled with sudden tears. “Lila,” he breathed, and I caught a glimpse of his sweet smile in the semi-darkness. “I can’t… It’s–it’s really you.”
    The long separation faded; it was as though I’d seen him the day before. This new Jared, achingly thin yet stronger in a way I couldn’t define. His lovely thick hair was now cropped close to his head, and I wondered how it would feel if I ran my hands across it. My cheeks warmed at the thought. I’d never touched his hair before, but maybe I should have. Maybe I should have told him how I felt instead of hiding behind the discipline and protocols of society. What if I never had the chance again? I tried to order my random thoughts.
    “Did they hurt you? Please tell me you are unhurt.” His anxious whisper grabbed my attention and steered my focus back to the ugly cellar. He ran calloused hands up my forearms, warm and gentle in his movements, as though reassuring himself I was still whole. Almost whole . He would have no idea about my artificial limb, but that was not important at the moment.
    “No, they just tied me up.” A thought struck me. “Can you loosen the rope?”
    “I can try.”
    I had no idea what to say to him. All the things I’d rehearsed in my head, the fiery accusations, the cold statements of justice and revenge…all gone. I wanted to lean forward and rest against him, to feel his arms around me. I wanted my old Jared back.
    His fingers tugged at the knot for a second then he paused and moved his head closer, to rest his forehead against mine. The intimacy sent a jolt through me, heating my blood and sending my pulse wild. “Listen to me,” he