Excerpt: Whisper Witch

Seren opened her eyes. The room was dark, but she could still make out the outlines of four sleeping bodies around her. She waited a moment to check that none were stirring, and then lowered her bed sheets and climbed out of the makeshift bed they had made her. Sofya was curled up next to her, still trying to be the protective big sister, even while unconscious. She tip toed as carefully as she could and made it safely to the door. This was slightly trickier. She had to ease the latch up, but it was tight against its metal level, and she was certain that at any moment it would let out a creak or screech. It came off slowly and quietly though, and soon she was on the other side of the door, hugging the wall of the corridor. It was even darker out here where there were no windows to let in any light from the moon or street lamps. She could hear some voices downstairs though, not the drunken ramblings from earlier, but there sounds of family, of people tidying and gossiping. She followed those sounds until she found the light of at the top of the stairs, and made her way down, conscious of the fact her night dress was too thin for such a cold night.

At the bar was the innkeeper himself, tidying away clean glasses. He didn't see her at first, and she quickly rushed over to him, her finger on her lips ready to quieten his questions. He noticed, and spoke in a forced, softer voice.
"Evening love. It's very late for you to be up. Any trouble?"
She nodded, and searched for a piece of paper to use, but there was none available. She gestured to him to come closer, and brought her lips to his ears. He smelt of ale and smoke and it almost overpowered her. He had patience though, or was at least enjoying being in such close proximity to a beautiful young woman and let her find her words. What he did not realise was that these were the first words she had said, at least outside of those practised whispers she spoke only to herself late at night.
"Please." she managed. "I belong to Lord Aldric. They have kidnapped me. Please. Fetch the guards."
She drew her head back and looked at him to check that he understood exactly what she had said. His eyes were wide but he nodded and led her around the back of the bar to a seat.
"Here love. Wait here and I'll send word to the main gate a little way up there. There'll be no waking any of the guards staying here tonight. Don't you worry yourself? Help will be on its way soon enough." He grabbed a blanket from a nearby cupboard and wrapped it around her shoulders. "One of Aldric’s you say. I think I'll be rewarded nicely for helping you out won't I?" A wide grin swamped his rosy face, and he headed out to wake a messenger.

"What was that?" Sofya sat up suddenly and reached out into the darkness until she found someone, "Wake up. Something is happening outside."
She grabbed at Bram's arm and he took her hand and they both snuck to the window, to look out. About forty men in the uniform of the guard were filing in through the front entrance, heavily armed and stony faced.
"Damn it." He cursed, and threw something, a small ornament from the window sill towards where Eloise and Grayson lay sleeping still. "Guys get up quickly and quietly, we are going to need to leave right now."
Almost as soon as he said it, there were sounds of many heavy feet coming up the stairs. Grayson grabbed his shoes and helped Eloise into her overcoat.
"Wait, where is Seren?" Sofya realised, and they all felt around for a second in the dark, but by now their eyes had adjusted enough to realise that she was not there. She clung still to Bram, "We can't leave her behind. I need to go and find her."