Page 237 of A Touch of Poison
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Kat
As Fluffy bared her teeth at the sounds of attackers approaching, Rose backed off from a door and braced, ready to shoulder it open.
“Wait, no,” Ella hissed. “We won’t be able to lock it if you break it. Give me a second.” She knelt and held out her hand. “Any hairpins, ladies?”
Ari pulled half a dozen out of her hair and dropped them into Ella’s palm.
Ella blinked at the pile. “I only needed two, but… thanks?” She set to work, feeling her way with the lock.
Fists clenching and unclenching, Rose glanced between the two corridors we were cornered between. “Hurry up,” she muttered.
In contrast, Perry stood still, sword raised, breathseven like she was utterly calm and completely ready. This was the Perry who’d served in my sister’s crew. Seeing her at court in pretty gowns, I’d almost forgotten she’d seen more battles than the rest of us combined.
The approaching voices grew louder, as did my pulse. If I used my haze, it would kill my friends. I had the control to call poison to different parts of my body, but I hadn’t managed to manipulate the haze once it escaped. I could run at the attackers, perhaps, but that would still leave the other set, and my—
“There.” Ella threw open the door and we rushed inside.
As Rose eased it shut, we found ourselves in a small parlour decorated in buttery yellow the colour of dawn clouds. Ella bent to the door again, working on getting it locked, while Rose leant against it.
“Are they out there?” I whispered.
Rose cocked her head. “In the corridor,” she mouthed.
Everyone suddenly breathed very quietly. Even Fluffy crouched in silence, baring her teeth at the door as if daring anyone to try to get through.
The click of the lock turning into place was deafening.
Ella winced, and I swallowed but managed to give her a reassuring smile. They were always going to find us in here—a shapechanger could follow our scent, or any fae concentrating would be able to pick up some sound we made.
Ari plonked herself on the elegant settee, rummaging around in her pocket. “Get over here—each of you in turn.”
The door leapt on its hinges.
My heart leapt to my throat.
“Quickly,” Ari clipped out, and when I turned, I found her holding up a threaded needle. “I’ll add enchantments to our clothes. It’s too late to hide ourselves, and I don’t have time for anything complicated, but I can make us harder to hit.”
The attackers thudded into the door again.
I flinched, grabbing my necklace and rubbing my thumb over the smooth potion bottle.
Focus. They’re breaking in whether you like it or not. This is unsafe whether you like it or not. You need a plan.
I’d planned out vegetable planting to keep us alive. I’d planned the best routes on nights when balls would bring out the Wicked Lady’s prey nice and late.
I couldn’t fight, but this? This I could do.
“Perry, help Rose.” She was second strongest out of us. “Ella, let Ari work on your dress.”
I blinked when they obeyed. No question, just action.
Perry and Rose grunted when another assault hit the door.
I tried the windows, but they only opened a crack, and the ground was several storeys below. Not an option.
