Chapter 26 : A Maiden for the Master
*Warwick*
The task was simple enough. The raven came just before dawn with a small note tied to its slender leg. The note was sent from Lady Elva, her handwriting slanted and shaky. She had not written the note of her own free will. But this did not bother me.
Lord Vespertine could do what he pleased with his mate.
The note requested that I take the girls as soon as possible, saying that the eldest’s birthday was too close to risk waiting any longer. And so, I waited until the next night, after the search for me—the spy, as they so aptly dubbed me—had more or less dissipated. I should have known the girl would show up when she did that night.
It was a mistake that would not happen again.
I had waited in the south bell tower that stood neglected after several decades. No one even thought to look for me there, far from the castle’s watchful eye.