96

Just then, the door burst open and Lino stormed in, head snapping left and right and his nostrils flaring.

"Cass? Cass where are--"

"Where have you been?" Cassy said, running for him and throwing her arms around his neck. He nuzzled her neck and his fingers gripped her side hard.

"What happened?" Lino asked, drawing back to inspect her face. "You're bleeding. Where--"He sniffed her hair and her neck.

"Eleanor?" he asked, surprise widening his eyes.

Cassy covered the injury on her neck with her palm and pointed across the room to the ajar window. "She went through there. I think she got in through there as well--though I have absolutely no idea how--where are you going now?"

She stared wide-eyed as Lino leapt out the window, no doubt in search of Eleanor.

Cassy throat stung and she massaged the sore flesh with her thumb. How exactly did the sentries miss Eleanor? And she couldn't believe she'd attacked her in her sleep.

Rather than be mad, Cassy was