Chapter 648
The dangerous plan had been drawn, everything was set in motion ahead of its commencing.
Hildegard and Otto moved through the castle separately for the rest of the afternoon, careful not to look at each other too long, careful not to draw unwanted attention.
Every servant who passed them seemed louder, every guard more watchful, every footstep heavier with threat.
It seemed as though for a split second they could read their minds but successfully, they went past the day without any confrontations.
Finally the sun bled into the horizon and disappeared bringing darkness.
Soon the palace torches flickered to life.
It was time.
Nine O’clock.
The hour the palace grew quiet, but not asleep.
The hour where conversation dimmed to whispers and shadows stretched long across the walls.
The hour when the guards would be too busy with their meals to make much notice of anytime.
The perfect time.
Hildegard slipped into her room first and shut the door with a soft click.
She changed into darker clothing, something less noticeable, and tightened her hair back. Her heart raced with every movement, but her hands stayed steady.
Across the castle, Otto did the same.
He stood over his table, lit only by a single candle, and laid out the items they would need.
The enchanted cape.
A small blade.
A folded map of the forest path leading to the sea.
The journals and books he needed for the journals ahead.
He put them all in a satchel, his wolf pacing restlessly under his skin.
He already had taken two horse to the forest where he was expected to wait for Jasmine.
There he had kept more supplies for their journey.
Tonight was going to be risky as hell.
They met in the hidden corridor.
Hildegard was already there, waiting, hood pulled low, breath steady.
Otto joined her silently.
“Any guards?” he whispered.
“Two at the main stairs,” she said. “None near the back corridor.”
“Good.” Otto pulled out the cape and pressed it into her hands. “Once you put this on, no one will see you unless they’re looking directly for magic. Which fortunately, no one here is smart enough to do.”
Hildegard managed a tight snort. “Let’s hope so.”
He took out the stardust, letting it shimmer between his fingers. “I’ll use this when I reach the outer gate. It’ll mask Jasmine long enough to pass under the torches.”
“And if someone stops you?” she asked.
Otto smiled, sharp, feral. “They won’t.”
She nodded, though her stomach twisted.
Then her eyes softened. “Otto… are you sure you can get her to the sea?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “I’ll get her there. Even if I have to tear through the forest myself.”
Hildegard swallowed and pulled the cape around her shoulders.
For a moment, the world shimmered and then her body blurred and faded into the shadows of the cape
“Can you see me?” she whispered.
Otto narrowed his eyes. “At all. Perfect.”
She exhaled shakily.
“All right,” she whispered. “Let’s begin.”
They moved as shadows.
Otto headed toward the dungeon staircase, keeping to the less lit routes, avoiding the main hall.
Every time a guard passed, he melted into the darkness. His wolf helped the instincts, the silence, the predatory patience.
Hildegard followed behind him unseen, her footsteps slowed by the effect of the enchanted cape. Her heart raced each time she passed a guard, her breath held tight.
But none of them saw her.
None of them even sensed her.
The magic worked.
When they reached the stairs to the cells, Otto paused.
Two guards stood at the bottom one yawning, one bored.
His friend wasn’t here again. Must have changed shifts.
Otto was delighted in case something went wrong.
He didn’t want to hurt his friend.
He didn’t dare confront them now. He couldn’t risk alerting anyone.
He turned slightly.
“Hildegard,” he whispered. “Go. Straight through. They won’t see you.”
She inhaled deeply.
Then she stepped forward.
The guards didn’t blink.
Didn’t shift.
Didn’t sense a thing.
She passed between them like mist and disappeared into the hallway beyond.
Otto watched, his heart racing in tension until she had disappeared into the darkness.
Then he stepped away from the stairs and took the side passage to the lower exit.
He would wait for Jasmine there, hidden in the shadows, ready to take her the moment she emerged.
He hoped nothing went wrong.
Jasmine sat curled against the wall, her arms around her knees, her breath thin.
The night was colder.
Her head hurt from crying. Her chest ached. She couldn’t stop shaking.
She saw a massive rat come by her.
She yelled and jumped away.
But the rat who seemed to be the size of a grass cutter was used to people and was unfazed.
So Jasmine wisely went to the farthest corner of the cell.
Then she heard the faintest whisper of cloth behind her, she jumped.
The damn rat again!
“Hush,” came a soft voice. “It’s me.”
Jasmine blinked through the darkness.
She knew that voice.
“Hildegard?”
A shimmer moved forward. And then Hildegard emerged from the shadows as though materializing from the air.
Jasmine stared, stunned. “How How did you…
“No time to explain,” Hildegard said, pushing her hood back. “Stand up, Jasmine. We’re getting you out.”
Jasmine’s breath hitched in her throat.
“Out?” she whispered. “Hildegard… I don’t… the prison… the guards
Hildegard reached forward and gently touched her cheek.
“Otto is waiting,” she whispered.
Jasmine’s eyes filled with tears. “Otto? He’s here?”
“Yes,” Hildegard said. “And you’re leaving with him tonight.”
Jasmine rose weakly, her legs trembling.
“What? What’s going on?” Jasmine asked lost. “This is… I can’t just-
“Do you want to live?” Hildegard hissed at her, making her jump.
Jasmine paused and took a beat.
Hildegard’s eyes were fierce and no nonsense.
She nodded.
“Good.” Hildegard said as she took off the cloak and handed it to her. “Then put this on and don’t ask me any more questions.
Hildegard helped her switch clothes quickly, pulling the prison rags over her own body.
As Jasmine slid the enchanted cloak around her shoulders, the air shimmered again.
And she vanished.
Now it was Hildegard who looked like the prisoner, sitting on the cold stone floor, wrapped in rags.
She took Jasmine’s hands one last time.
“Go. No one would be able to see you. Just go as carefully as you can. Don’t breathe until you’ve past the guards okay?” Hildegard informed.
Jasmine nodded still not sure what was even going on.
“Now go Before someone comes.” Hildegard nudged her.
Jasmine threw her hands around her and said. “Hildegard… thank you.”
Hildegard smiled sadly. “Go, sweetheart. Live.”
And then she let her hands fall away.
Jasmine turned and didn’t look back.