Four
MacIan entered and held an iron key in his hand.
“You should take part in the feast.”
My look gave away skepticism. “A feast?”
“Lughnasa.”
“Sorry. In no mood for celebrating.”
But he held the key to my freedom, and this might be my only chance, so I added quickly: “But I’m hungry.”
“Good!” MacIan exclaimed. “There will be plenty to eat!”
His spirits seemed lifted, and he was about to open the chain when he hesitated and lifted his head to face me: “That’s a polite invitation. So please, don’t threaten to kill people this time, all right? Nobody here will hesitate to do the same.”
I nodded. MacIan risked a lot by unchaining me, and I respected that. Still, escape was the only thing on my mind.
He opened the chain, and in my head, I ticked the box for the first hurdle. Now, th
