Chapter 39. The Survival Game
I followed Solomon through the corridors, and every step I took was a dull, steady thud in my temples. Not fear. Rage. The cold, concentrated rage that I made flow through my veins instead of blood. They didn't just cross the line. They took a child hostage. My weakness. My responsibility.
Yuki walked beside me, her fingers clutching at the folds of my cloak. She wasn't crying. She froze inside, like a small animal sensing the approach of a predator. Her silence was louder than any scream.
Solomon wasn't taking us to the gym or the library. He led us into a small, circular office under one of the towers. The room was empty except for a large oak table, two chairs, and a half-wall-high window that overlooked the snow-capped roofs of the manor and the gloomy forest beyond. A trap with a beautiful view.
"Wait here,— Solomon said, stopping at the door. "They'll come for you." And, Azrael..." his gaze turned as heavy as lead, "don't do anything rash. The girl's well-being now directly depends on your... compliance.
He went out. I heard the click of a heavy lock. We were trapped.
I went to the window. Grid. Sure. Durable, forged, embedded in stone. Not to get inside, but to get out.
Yuki leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor, hugging her knees with her hands. She stared into space, her breathing fast and shallow. —Brother...— her voice was as thin as a spider's web. "I'm afraid."
I crouched down in front of her. —I know,— I said softly. —But listen to me. Fear is normal. But he's not helping us right now. Now we need to think. Do you understand? Think.
She nodded slowly, trying to control her trembling. "Are we... leaving?" "Let's go,— I promised firmly. — But not immediately. Not today. They're on their guard right now. We need time. And a plan.
I got up and began to walk slowly around the room. My gaze swept over the walls, the floor, and the ceiling. I was looking for weak points. The gaps. Opportunities.
Plan. We need a plan.
Escaping from the castle is not just about going out the gate. It's to leave without being found. So that the stalking story doesn't happen again. Supplies were needed. Warm clothes. Weapon. I needed a route. To go into the forest means to condemn yourself to starvation in winter. Transport was needed. Or... an ally.
The thought struck like lightning. Victor. The soldier who left. He was somewhere nearby, in one of the settlements. He owed me his life. And he wasn't part of the Crimson system. He could help. But how to reach it?
Ragnar. His hatred of me was blind, but his resentment of Solomon... it could be used. If I could push their heads together, create chaos, it would distract attention.
Quinn. Her curiosity was the key. If I could turn him against my father... make her question his methods... she could become an unwitting ally. Or at least not to interfere.
The plan began to take shape. Chaotic, risky, but in a form.
1. Buy time. To pretend that I'm resigned. Participate in "lessons". Study the castle's routine, security weaknesses, and shift schedules.
2. Find an accomplice. Victor was the only option. I had to find out where he was and find a way to send him a message. Perhaps through one of the servants? But who can you trust here?
3. Create a diversion. Ragnar was the perfect candidate. His rage is the perfect spark. It was necessary to plant something for him that would make him rebel against Solomon. Information? A lie? The truth?
4. Be ready for the moment. Pack up everything you need and be ready to leave within a minute when the opportunity presents itself.
I stopped at the window, looking out at the forest. Far away. Very far away. But not unattainable.
—Yuki,— I called to her. She looked up at me. — Starting today, we will start a new training session. You have to remember everything. Every door, every window, every person you see. What they're wearing, where they're going, what they're carrying. Everything. You must become my eyes and ears. Do you understand?
She nodded, and a spark of determination appeared in her eyes. Her fear receded before a specific task. "I can do this,— she whispered.
— And one more thing, — I went up to her and got down on one knee. "You'll have to... talk to Quinn." When you see her. Ask her about... about the flowers. About birds. About something simple. And remember what she says. As he responds.
Yuki frowned, not understanding. "Why?" "To see if she can be trusted,— I answered honestly. — At least a little bit.
Understanding flashed in her eyes. She nodded again.
Footsteps in the hallway. The key clicked in the lock. The door opened. It wasn't Quinn or the guard standing in the doorway. An elderly woman in a formal maid's dress, but with intelligent, attentive eyes.
—My name is Agatha," she said in a flat, emotionless voice. "I came for the girl." The patriarch ordered that she be transferred to the children's quarters. They'll take care of her there.
Yuki instinctively clung to me. I stepped between her and the woman. "She's not going anywhere," my words were soft but final.
Agatha didn't bat an eye. — It's not up for discussion. The girl needs supervision and proper care. You don't want her to get sick in these cold rooms, do you?
It was an ultimatum. Either I voluntarily release her into their "custody", or they will take her away by force.
I looked at Yuki. Her eyes were filled with terror. I clenched my fists, feeling the rage rise in my throat again. But now it was necessary to give up positions. To gain time.
I nodded slowly. —Okay,— I said, and my agreement was like a groan. I knelt down in front of Yuki. "Go with her." Remember everything. Whatever you see. I'll come for you soon. I promise.
She looked at me, and I saw in her eyes not childish fear, but a cold, adult determination. She nodded, took the maid's hand, and left the room without looking back.
The door closed again. The key turned.
I was left alone. In complete silence. With a plan that seemed crazy. And with rage, which was the only thing that warmed me from the inside out.
They thought they had the upper hand. That they had put the beast in a cage.
They didn't realize that a cornered animal was the most dangerous creature in the world.
And that his claws and fangs were already sharpened for a retaliatory strike.