“Majesty.” The woman scorns the word, her piercing eyes glaring at the regal intruder. “Have you come for that again? My answer is unchanged.”
“You always were the most stubborn girl I had ever seen. But no, I have come to make a deal with you instead.” The king steps into the cell, ignoring the squelching of his shoes as he crosses into the dirt and muck. “A chance at freedom, at life outside this dungeon. After all this time, I am sure you miss the sunlight.” He stays a safe distance from the woman, just out of her arm’s reach as he continues. “Don’t you miss the feel of the fresh air on your face? Don’t you long to use your Windwalker abilities once more?”
“What’s the catch?” Helena mutters as her fingers inch along the stone floor, desperately seeking a sharp knife. Even a rusty piece of the horrid iron bars would work—it would burn her skin to touch it, but pain would be worth it if she could jab out the king’s eye. No anguish could be worse than anything she’s already endured.
“I’ll send you and one of my guards over the Devil’s Spine. My border guards report that a Windwalker was seen deep in these enemy lands using enough power to be witnessed for many miles. Yet no one of that strength has gone missing from Déchets in a long time.”
“Why me?” Helena asks, trying not to let the snarl of hatred loose in her throat.
“You know the land, the people, and their ways. And it will give you a chance to prove your usefulness once more. Fail, and you die. Refuse to go, and you’ll die slowly. The choice is up to you.”
With immense effort and a curse as her stiffened limbs break free from their long underuse, Helena crawls up to stand by the cell door. Her body shows its bones under a thin coating of scarred skin, barely more than a walking skeleton. “You give me no choice, Highness; I will obey.”
*End*
Hope you enjoyed Pack of Wolves! Don’t miss book 3 in the series, Brood of Vipers!
Book One
About the Author
Maggie Claire gave up a career in education to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. In addition to House of Vultures, she is the author of Attila the Hummer, a chapter book for middle grade readers. She is also a freelance photographer who regularly posts her photos on her website and social media. She lives near Waco, TX.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
