Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Together, we tucked all the bodies near the wall.
“Don’t you think people are going to notice the big-ass pool of blood?” I asked, grunting as I rolled a man twice my size against the wall.
Ryker wiped his bloody hands on the guy’s tunic. “I think they’re going to notice your smartass mouth first.”
“Are you guys like this all the time?” Effie asked.
My brother and I both turned to look at her.
She sighed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Ryker retrieved the rope then approached the wall, looking for a way over.
“There’s nothing to hook on,” I said. “But we can’t climb it either because the walls are too smooth.”
Ryker tied the end of the rope and made a lasso that farmers used to capture cattle. “I can hook it on one of the spires at the top.”
“But that’s…” Effie craned her head farther back to look. “Really high.”
“I can do it.” Ryker started to flick his wrist and whip the rope in a circle.
“It’s dark,” I said. “You can barely see.”
“I’m not blind.” He continued to whip the rope around and around, gathering momentum, his eyes gauging the distance high above. He threw his entire body into it, whipping the rope high into the sky—and missed.
“Wow, that was really close…” Effie came to my side, her arms over her chest because the cold was deepening as the night progressed.
Ryker righted the rope again and started the process over. “I’m going to get it this time.”
He was so close last time that I actually believed him.
He threw his body into it again, and it soared up high and landed right around the spire.
Ryker tugged hard, making the rope cinch into place. “What’d I tell you?”
I was astonished that he’d accomplished it, and I quickly realized that Ryker wasn’t just my younger brother. At some point over the years, he’d grown into a man, a man who could take a life, a man brave enough to willingly venture to the bottom of the cliffs to save someone, a man who could survive what shouldn’t be survivable.
“The rope should bear all our weight.” He gave it another tug to check it. “Effie, you go first. Ivory and I can handle company if it comes.”
Effie looked at me, as if she felt guilty for taking the rope first.
“Girl, go.” I gave her a gentle pat. “We’ve got to hustle.”
Effie took the rope from Ryker and began the climb. She had no experience, and it showed based on the way she slid down a couple times, the way she struggled not to swing left and right. But she didn’t give up and continued to move as fast as she could.
Ryker watched her go. “She’s got one hell of an ass, huh?”
I smacked him on the arm. “We could get caught any second, and that’s all you care about?”
He gave a shrug. “Would you rather me stand here and panic—”
A loud horn blew. Really loud.
We both looked up to the top of the city where the sound came from and looked at each other once more.
Ryker gave another shrug. “Shit, guess it’s time to panic.” He grabbed the rope and brought it to me. “Go.”
“Effie isn’t at the top yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. We just gotta hope the rope holds.”
“I should stay with you—”
“I’ll be right behind you. Now, go.” The joking taunts were cast aside, and he looked just like Father, giving out orders with his same ruthlessness. His expression tightened in just the same way, becoming heartless.
I took the rope and started the climb.
Shouts rang throughout the city, everyone searching for the prisoners who’d escaped. I could hear them grow louder like they were headed down to the gate to see if we’d made it that far.
When I was halfway up, Effie reached the top and perched on the edge. I looked down to check on my brother.
With his short sword in hand, he kept watch, waiting for the men to realize where he was.
I kept going, hustling as fast as I could as I felt the rope burn my hands. When I reached the top, Effie gave me her hand and helped me off the rope and onto the edge. I wanted to keep my voice quiet, but Ryker wasn’t paying attention, so I had to give a loud call. “Ryker, come on.”
He sheathed his short sword and grabbed on to the rope. He was much quicker than the two of us, as if he’d done this before.
“Ivory.” Effie pointed to the guards below. One was close, carrying a bow and arrow.
“Shit.” I grabbed my bow and prepared it, but we had so little room that I would probably topple over after firing. “I need your help. Hold me.”
Effie grabbed on to me and secured me in place.
I placed the arrow to the string, aimed, and fired.