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

opened, and a small person moved toward him.
    “Wolf?” It was Kai.
    “Over here.” He blinked, dazzled. It’d take a minute before he could see properly again. Why was she here?
    “I have some water for you.”
    When the drink was close he realized how great his thirst was. Like hunger, he’d blocked it from his mind. He reached out to guide the small bowl to his lips and drank greedily, closing his eyes in bliss. Cool, clean water in his parched mouth, sliding down his throat.
    His eyes snapped open and focused on the shadowy figure before him. “Why are you here, Kai?”
    She sidled nearer to stand between his feet and leaned down to whisper in his ear. “I want to warn you. Connad has been making a fuss, telling the guards he needs to speak with the Mistress Rowena. About you , Wolf. He wouldn’t tell any of the slaves. I slipped out when the guards took him to her quarters.” She paused, and he frowned as he ran his tongue around the bowl, gathering the last drops of moisture. “Be careful,” she whispered. Moments later, she left, taking the faint shaft of light away and plunging him into blackness once more.
    He knew Connad hated him, and knew why. Connad had been Hilde’s personal slave before Jared had been captured. Now relegated to kitchen duties, the other slave took every opportunity to needle Jared.
    Unease swirled in his guts. Connad stirring up trouble never boded well and the timing sucked. Now, more than ever before, Jared needed to be able to move around freely. It gnawed at him that Rowena had her sights on Lila. Every minute Jared was locked in the cellar was another that Lila might be in danger.
     

Chapter Eighteen
    Lila
    I lay on the straw-filled bed, stared at the ceiling, and willed myself to fall asleep. Failed . It was only when Marc lay down beside me and curled around my back that I finally relaxed enough to doze. I’d never shared a bed before; it felt alien and crowded…and safe. Thoughts spun and whirled, ideas shooting out in random directions.
    “Don’t worry.” Marc’s voice was rough with sleep. “I’ll make everything okay.”
    I let out a ragged breath and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, it was morning, and there was a cold space next to me. I lurched upright, a ball of panic taking hold until I saw him kneeling in front of the window, examining the parts for the communicator. He glanced over his shoulder and flashed a brief smile. “Good morning. It’s still early. I’m taking advantage of the natural light to try and fix this.”
    A shiver ran down my spine. I thought he’d left me, abandoned me here like Jared had. I breathed deeply, feeling my racing heart slow to a normal speed, and lay back, a lazy yawn escaping. Then I froze.
    I heard heavy footsteps approaching, the jingle of belts and medals, and a low murmur of voices. It sounded like a group of guards. Marc hurried to scoop the tiny components into their case—a thin, flat box—and shove it inside the false heel for his boot. He’d only just hidden it when an armored fist hammered on the door. We looked at each other. I could feel the blood draining from my face, and my heart pounded again.
    One finger on his lips, Marc checked the stunner inside his sleeve then strode to the door and threw it open. I scrambled out of bed and stood next to the window, hands behind my back. I counted four guards in the corridor.
    “Is there a problem?” Marc sounded relaxed, but I saw the tension vibrate through his body.
    “You’re being detained. Come with us quietly, or we’ll drag you. Choice is yours.”
    I couldn’t hold back a gasp. Marc was already replying. “Detained?” He sounded amused and puzzled, as though someone was playing a joke on him. “I was led to believe we are valued guests. I would like to speak to Mistress Rowena.”
    The heavyweight guard at the front reminded me of every image I’d seen of the Saxon warriors. Wild yellow hair sprang out from his head and a thick fuzz