"I could turn you loose. Grant you your freedom and send you on your way. A pretty little thing like you wouldn't have any trouble finding a troupe to travel with. I'll let you scamper back to Evangeline and tell her exactly how much you've learned about me," he offered, hand lifting toward my chin.

At first, I thought he might be summoning more vines, but none of the plants in the room reacted. He reached toward me but hesitated, and I wasn't sure why that frustrated ...