Moon String

Chapter Seventeen :I Almost Got Murdered

Chapter Seventeen: I Almost Got Murdered

Seven days. Seven entire days. I was finally free, free from the stale old-book smell and free from being caged. How I hated anything that restricted my freedom.

I had spent a long week trapped inside a library because apparently stealing a jade was enough to earn me a punishment usually reserved for people who committed actual crimes. By the seventh morning, I had read so many books that I was beginning to suspect the books were absolutely against me.

To my surprise, the guards weren't happy that my punishment was over. I guessed it was because they loved their peaceful, quiet lives without me pestering them with all sorts of questions. Honestly, I couldn't blame them.

I stepped out of the restricted wing at dawn, blinking at the sunlight like a prisoner who had just been released into civilization. My back hurt, my fingers were stained with ink, and my hair probably looked like I'd fought a bookshelf and lost.

And I had never been happier to see a corridor in my entire life.I took a deep breath of the fresh air. You only realize the importance of freedom when it's taken away. I turned around and stared at the massive oak doors.

"Don't worry," I whispered. "I won't miss you either."

The doors, unsurprisingly, didn't answer. Good. We understood each other.

I adjusted the violin strapped across my back and started walking. Seven days had given me plenty of time to think about the jade, the way everyone had looked at me like I was guilty before I had even opened my mouth to defend myself, and Liora believing them.

And, unfortunately, about Valeric.

I also couldn't stop thinking about the strange things I'd discovered in the library, especially Moon String. I still didn't understand what it was, but the book said it was some sort of magical instrument.

It was very clear to me that someone didn't want anyone to find out about it, which explained why several pages had been torn out.

But who would go to such lengths to hide the truth about a magical instrument? Every time I thought I'd found an answer, I'd discovered three more questions hiding underneath it. It was like an unsolvable puzzle that enjoyed watching me suffer.

There were references to the Moon Goddess, ancient wolves, something called a string, and abilities that made absolutely no sense.

The more I learned, the less I understood, which was beginning to feel like a personal attack.

And then there was my sister.

I couldn't shake the feeling that she had abandoned me. Or maybe she was already getting tired of my constant habit of getting myself into trouble. She hadn't even come to the library to scold or yell at me for putting myself in yet another mess.

I just didn't know why. Maybe I was overwhelmed, maybe I was overreacting, but I had a whole lifetime to figure it out. Or at least, I hoped I did.

For now, I had something much more important to deal with.

Selene.

The chief maid.

I had not forgotten about her.

Oh, hell no.

Seven days in a library had given me plenty of time to think about revenge. Not murder, because I wasn't that dramatic.

Usually.I knew exactly what to do to get back at her for framing me. And my plan for her felt reasonable.Probably.

By afternoon, I found myself standing outside the kitchens. The smell of roasted meat drifted through the doorway, making my stomach growl loudly enough to embarrass me. I honestly hoped no one heard that.

I slipped inside. The kitchen was busy, with servants moving between tables and carrying bowls and trays while the cooks shouted instructions at one another. And in the center of it all stood Selene.

She looked annoyingly composed. I immediately disliked her face, not because there was anything wrong with it, but because it was the face of someone who had ruined my week and had the audacity to look peaceful afterward.

Her eyes landed on me. Her expression immediately soured.

"What are you doing here?"

I smiled. "Visiting."

"This is the kitchen."

"I noticed."

"You're supposed to return to your quarters."

"I'm aware."

"Then why are you still standing there?"

I looked around. "Honestly? I was waiting for someone to offer me food."

Her mouth tightened. "You've just finished your punishment. Don't start causing trouble."

"Me?" I placed a hand over my chest. "I would never."

She gave me a look that said she absolutely did not believe me.

Smart woman.

Unfortunately for her, she wasn't smart enough.

I waited until she turned toward one of the doors to get something.

Then I slipped toward the prepared dishes, careful not to draw anyone's attention.

Of course, I wouldn't do anything dangerous. Just enough to make whoever tasted her precious meal regret having taste buds.

I made my contribution to the cream sauce and stepped back. I stared at the pot, admiring my work.

Beautiful.

A masterpiece.

My masterpiece.

A crime against cuisine.

I almost felt emotional.

Selene came back, her eyes searching for where I was. I immediately grabbed a nearby spoon and pretended to be deeply interested in a bowl of vegetables.

"What exactly are you doing?"

"Learning."

"Learning what exactly?"

"Cooking."

She stared at me. "You don't know how to cook."

"Exactly. That's why I'm learning."

Her eyes narrowed. "Get out."

I smiled. "Gladly."

I turned to leave, then stopped. I glanced back at her with my sweetest smile.

"Oh, Selene?"

She looked at me. "Yes?"

"I hope dinner goes well."

Her eyes narrowed further in confusion. I smiled sweetly, then walked out before she could ask another question.

I barely made it past the kitchen doors before I heard someone shout from inside.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SAUCE?"

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Another voice answered, "I don't know!"

Selene's furious voice followed. "Who touched it?"

I kept walking.

Fast.

Very fast.

I reached the corridor and finally allowed myself to grin. Seven days.That was for the seven days I was punished.

Fair trade.

I was still congratulating myself when I noticed something strange. The corridor was empty, and not just normal empty.

Too empty.

Usually, servants were constantly moving through this part of the palace. But now there was no one.

Not even a guard.

I slowed down. My fingers instinctively tightened around the strap of my violin.

"Okay," I muttered. "That's not creepy at all."

I continued walking, my footsteps echoing against the stone floor.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I glanced over my shoulder.

Nothing.

I turned back.

A faint sound came from somewhere behind me. I stopped and listened, but the corridor had suddenly become completely silent.

I frowned. "Look, if you're trying to scare me, you're going to have to do better."

Nothing.

I rolled my eyes and continued walking. Probably a rat.The palace had plenty of those. Some were even less annoying than the pack members.

I reached the end of the corridor.

Then I heard it.

A tiny metallic click.

My body went still. I turned just as something flashed through the air.I ducked.

A thin blade shot past my head and struck the wooden door behind me with a sharp thunk. My heart slammed against my ribs.

"What the—"

Another one came.

I threw myself sideways. It missed.

Barely.

I stumbled against the wall, breathing hard.Someone wanted me dead.That realization arrived with startling clarity.

Not frightened.

Not threatened.

Dead.

"Okay," I whispered. "Definitely not a rat."

A shadow moved at the far end of the corridor. I saw the figure, hooded with their face completely hidden, as they started toward me.

I reached for my violin, then stopped.

Why was I reaching for my violin?

Was I planning to play them a sad song?

My brain had officially abandoned me.

The figure raised their hand. I grabbed the nearest object I could find, a heavy wooden candlestick, and swung.It connected.The attacker staggered.

I didn't wait.I ran.I made it three steps when something suddenly struck my side. Pain exploded through me, and I stumbled against the wall.My hand went instinctively to the wound. Warmth spread beneath my fingers, and my legs weakened.

"No."

I tried to stay upright. The attacker moved closer, and I swung the candlestick again.They dodged.

I tried to kick them. They caught my ankle and threw me against the wall.

My vision blurred, but I forced myself to focus. The attacker reached for me again, and I grabbed their wrist.

For one brief second, our eyes met beneath the hood. I couldn't see their face, and I couldn't even tell their gender.

But I saw something.A ring.A strange symbol carved into it.Then the attacker tore free.

My body refused to cooperate anymore. I slid down the wall as the ceiling tilted above me.

My violin slipped from my shoulder and landed beside me. I reached for it, desperate to hold onto something familiar.

My fingers brushed the case.Then darkness began creeping across my vision. The last thing I heard was the sound of hurried footsteps somewhere in the distance.

Then everything disappeared.