Torn (Trylle Trilogy, Book 2) by Amanda Hocking Read Free Book Online Page B

one on the doors had been painted across on it, and a black and red ball gown hung from the edge. Sara went behind the screen, taking the dress off it, to change in privacy.
    “Do you know where Finn is?” I asked with a painful lump in my chest.
    “That’s your tracker?” Sara asked, draping the robe over the screen. I could only see the top of her head above it.
    “Yes.” I swallowed hard, fearing the worst.
    “I’m not sure where he is. We don’t have him, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    “Then why hasn’t he come for me? How did he let you take me away?” I demanded.
    “I assumed they detained him until they got away with you.” She slipped the dress over her head, so her words muffled for a moment. “I’m not certain of the specifics, but they had orders not to hurt anyone if they didn’t need to.”
    “Yeah, and Kyra’s orders were not to hurt me, right?” I asked wryly, and Sara didn’t say anything. “Can you just tell me if he’s okay?”
    “Loki didn’t report any fatalities,” Sara said.
    “He was in charge of bringing me here?” I looked at the closed doors behind us, realizing too late that I should’ve been asking him these questions. I thought about going after him, but then Sara came out from behind the screen.
    “Yes. And other than Kyra’s… outburst, Loki recounted that everything went well.” She ran her hands along her skirt, then pointed to the dress on the bed. “Please. Get dressed. We’re going to see the King.”
    “And he’ll answer my questions?” I raised my eyebrow.
    “Yes. I’m certain he’ll tell you everything,” Sara nodded, keeping her eyes locked on the floor.
    I decided to go along with it. If he tried to give me the run around, I would bolt. I didn’t have time to waste on vague answers and evasive language. Matt and Rhys were captive, and Rhys couldn’t even sit down.
    But I also needed them to like me, so maybe I could talk them into letting Matt and Rhys go. If that meant I had to be put on a silly little dress, so be it.
    I went behind the screen and changed while Sara continued getting ready. She put one of the necklaces that the hobgoblin had left on the table for her and let down her hair. It was black and straight, shining like silk down her back. It reminded me of Elora’s.
    I wondered what Elora would make of all this. Would she send out a rescue mission to get me? Did she even know I was gone?
    After I put on the dress, Sara tried to tie a loose ribbon on the back, but I wouldn’t let her. She had reached out to touch it, and when I snapped at her to leave it alone, her expression fell into something tragic. Her hands hung in the air for a moment, as if she couldn’t believe what happened. Then she let them fall to her side and nodded.
    Without saying anything, she led me down the hall. At the end, we came to another set of doors that mirrored the ones on her chamber. She knocked, and while we waited for a response, she smoothed down her skirt again. Crimson and black lace adorned it, and it lay perfectly flat, so I suspected this was some kind of nervous habit.
    “ Come   in ,” a strong, gravelly voice boomed from the other side of the door.
    Sara nodded, as if he could see her, then pushed open the door.
    The room was windowless, as had been every room I’d seen, and the walls were a dark mahogany wood. Despite its massive size, the room had a cave-like effect to it. One wall was covered floor to ceiling with bookcases, and a heavy wooden desk sat nearby. The only other furniture was several elegant red chairs.
    The largest one, with intricate designs on the wooden feet, sat directly across from us, and a man sat in it. His dark brown hair ran long, past his shoulders. He wore all black – pressed pants, a dress shirt, and a long jacket that more resembled a robe. He was handsome, in a battled kind of way, and he appeared to be in his forties.
    Loki had been sitting in a chair, but he stood up when we came in. Froud