“You’d better get back to your cell, little girl.” Rowan winks. “The guards will be sweeping for any strays soon.”

Terror splinters in my chest. “I-I don’t know if I can find my way back in time.”

I hate having to depend on others, but I have no choice. If what Rowan said is true, they could already be looking for me and I couldn’t— “Please,” I whisper.

His smile reminds me of a jester and he holds out his hand. “I can lead you back part-way, then I’ll give you directions for after that.”

I take his outstretched hand. His fingers play along the groove in mine, then drift...