Labyrinth Wall (9780991531219) by James (EDT) Nicole (EDT); Allen Emilyann; Zoltack Girder Page A

the small hill behind the cabin, and I can’t resist any longer. Briefly, my gaze travels behind us to see the condition of the fire. The whole house is in flames now. There can’t be any way Sir Riddles or his prisoners escaped. His prisoners — I’m torn between guilt of their deaths and frustration at their refusal to accept our help.
    Despite the smoke brought on by the fire, some of the mutts picked up on our scent. They chase us a good ten minutes before Korun pushes me at a tree. He gives me a quick boost before pulling himself up about the time the dogs catch us. They bark ferociously from the ground and scratch at the trunk.
    “We could have outrun them,” I state as he points for me to continue crawling upward.
    “We could have, but we need to get Rase.”
    Somehow, she slipped my mind during all the chaos. It’s amazing she didn’t escape or die between the gas and the mutts.
    “Smart choice to leave her tied up in a tree.”
    “Didn’t have much of an option. You know how she likes to make everything difficult. I didn’t think it was worth bringing her along just to cause problems. Couldn’t take that kind of risk.” His hand brushes mine as we grab for the same branch.
    “I’m sorry I got us into all this,” I offer as we advance upwards.
    “It’s not like you had a choice. If you hadn’t brought us here, the guards would have killed us.”
    “I meant I’m sorry for setting off the gas and nearly killing us all… then going and letting myself get captured.”
    He pauses for a minute and indicates for me to do the same. After placing his hand on my cheek, his thumb brushes away dirt from under my eye. “Don’t be sorry for anything, Araina. I’m sorry that happened to you. Did he hurt you?”
    “No. I don’t think he really intended to injure me. I can’t be sure, but he would have let me starve to death if I didn’t obey him.”
    Korun shakes his head.
    It’s actually helpful to vent. Saying things out loud rather than only in my head feels freeing. “He had them trained, Korun, like animals. I really thought I was going to die in that house.”
    “Were you really going to give in?” His tone isn’t condescending but instead one of concern. Sadness manages to speak not through his voice but the look in his eyes.
    “No, I had decided I would try to make a run for it after I pretended to cooperate. I thought he would have to unbind me at some point. Then maybe I could find my dagger in my bag. I knew it probably wasn’t going to work.” I shiver and shake out my hands, like I’m shooing away Sir Riddles and his mutts.
    “Let’s see, she’s right there.” Korun points up at Rase, who is sleeping through my hysterics and the barking dogs. That makes me smile a bit.
    We finish our climb, and Korun jostles her awake.
    “You took long enough,” she scolds. “I figured I was going to starve up here.”
    “Quit being dramatic,” I reply. “If you weren’t such a pain, he could have brought you with him.”
    Korun releases her from the tree. Once again, I take her rope.
    “Sounds like trouble,” Rase remarks, when she finally hears the barking dogs.
    “She’s right,” I tell Korun, “and I doubt they’ll let up.”
    “I’ve already considered that. This canopy is pretty thick, don’t you think?”
    “Sure” I answer, unsure of what he’s thinking.
    He looks both directions. “We climb the rest of the way. Probably just as fast, but a lot safer.”
    “Safer as long as we don’t fall,” I point out. His idea has merit though. “Really there isn’t any other option aside from trying to wait the mutts out, but there’s probably around twelve of them, so they’ll be keeping an eye on the tree for a while. I think it could work.”
    He nods.
    “I’m desperate for food though. I’ve got to eat something.” Nothing edible remains in my bag. Sir Riddles swipes food from his victims. I huff at the realization that I’ve got no food or water left on