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

whispered against my cheek, his breath a warm puff against my bruised skin. “I’m going to get you out of here.” I opened my mouth to speak, but he carried on, his voice fierce and urgent, though quiet. “I’ve seen your ghardian . He’s locked up on the other side of the hall. They’re going to make him face some challenge at the solstice, so maybe there’s a chance then to free him.”
    “What do you mean, a challenge?”
    He struggled with the knot, and I felt it loosen a fraction. “The warlord’s mother said he was to be used for a Blót . That’s a challenge, isn’t it?”
    The name cut a fresh shard of fear through me. “A Blót ? Are you sure that’s what she said?”
    His fingers stilled. “Yes, I’m sure. Something to do with the festivities.”
    “Jared, a Blót is something I’ve only read about. We never thought they performed those here, in this timeframe.” I wasn’t sure I could say the words. “It’s a blood sacrifice.” I began to tremble, shudders running down me from head to toe. “Oh God, Jared, they’re going to sacrifice him. We have to stop them.”
    Footsteps approached, and Jared pulled back, his hands dropping to his sides, his eyes flashing a warning.
    “Time to go, slave.”
    “Lila, I will get you both free, but you have to trust me.” He sucked in his breath when the guard yanked him to his feet, hauling on the iron collar as though he was a badly behaved dog. I watched, helpless and numb, while he was escorted from the cellar and the light was abruptly extinguished.
    I huddled against the wall and tried to control my breathing, to slow my racing heart. Closing my eyes, I retreated into my imagination. I pictured myself in a sun-washed library, sorting through archive material, Jared by my side. He’d pass me a datapad and our fingers would brush. He’d smile, suggest I look at something, and we’d stand together as we examined it.
    There’d been so many hours spent like this. Quiet, safe, and utterly familiar. From our first shared assignment in early school, to our last disastrous jump, he’d been the best part of my life.
    But how well did I really know him?
    His parting words rang in my head. Trust me . Last time I trusted him, I nearly died. God help me, please let things be different this time.
     

Chapter Twenty-Five
    Jared
    Jared sucked in a deep breath before entering Mistress Rowena’s quarters. Other slaves busied themselves in the outer room with an unexpected level of activity. Perhaps she’d be too busy to need him at the moment? He ducked to the side as two young women carried out a stack of rugs and then he stepped carefully out of the way of another carrying a bucket of water. Rowena appeared in the doorway of her bedchamber, her lips compressed to a tight line.
    “I said fresh petals for the floor, not these dried husks.” Her screech must have been audible in the courtyard. She bent down, scooped a handful, and threw them in the face of the slave next to Jared. “And flowers. I need flowers in here. Enough to cover the stink of his breath.”
    Her eyes flashed to Jared, and his heart sank at the knowing smirk on her face. “Wolf. You took your time. In here. Now.” Another two slaves were piling fresh blankets onto the bed, and Rowena chased them out, clapping her hands, before closing the door. “My husband is due back tonight, a day early, along with a party of visitors for the solstice celebrations.” She glided to him and gripped his chin, twisting it up so that he met her eyes. “I want my newly appointed body slave to give me a massage.”
    “Mistress,” he murmured. Calling her an evil bitch would not be helpful, even if it would be satisfying. While Rowena stripped and lay down, he selected a mixture of perfumed oils from those on her shelf and bought himself another minute as he pretended to deliberate over them. His mind buzzed. The warlord would be here tonight. Jared wouldn’t be needed by Rowena . There would be