Arabella slowly regained consciousness, a dull ache throbbing at the back of her head. She frowned as she tried to lift her arms, only to realize they wouldn't move. Confused, she struggled again, but the rough ropes digging into her wrists held firm.
Her eyes flew open.
She found herself tied securely against the trunk of a large tree. Thick ropes bound both her wrists and waist, leaving her with barely enough room to move. She looked around frantically.
Towering trees surrounded her from every direction, their branches blotting out most of the evening sky. The only sound was the crackling of a nearby fire and the occasional chirping of insects hidden within the woods.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She knew immediately she was nowhere near Lycoria.
Panic began rising inside her chest as memories came rushing back all at once, the bustling marketplace, the sudden rogue attack, Marvin and Lily fighting desperately to protect her... then Adrian.
