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I’ve not slept more than an hour at a time since I escaped that ship, and I’ve no doubt that lack of sleep will continue long after I’ve driven a sword into each and every giant. I wish I could hope for death, but doing so would mean everyone who has lost their lives for me died in vain.
So even as it will kill me to do so, I will rebuild Navalis alone. And when I’ve completed that task, I will kill Patrick and everyone who is loyal to him. They will pay for the lives they’ve stolen with their own blood.
I finish washing then climb out of the tub and dry myself. As soon as I’m dressed, I lie down on the bed and stare up at the ceiling, my new sword in my grip. It’s far lighter than the Tenebris one I stole, and I was more than happy to trade it when that was the Blacksmith’s price.
Sounds from the pub downstairs drift up to me. Laughter that might as well be daggers to my soul. I’ve honestly forgotten what happiness feels like, driven only by my rage.
Someone screams just outside the window, and I leap out of bed, sneaking to the window and looking out as I remain hidden by the wall. People race through the streets, panic evident in their expressions. It takes less than a heartbeat later for me to see the source of their fear.
A man steps from the shadows wearing all black, his blonde hair like a beacon amidst the darkness. Behind him, soldiers wearing crimson armor burn the village, lighting homes on fire and killing occupants.
“I know you’re here, my queen!” Patrick bellows. “Come out, or I will decimate this village in your name!”
Where I once would feel fear, I have none. Only anger. Because I know that the only way to stop him is to end his life. And while I’ve no doubt I could hold my own if it were just him and me, I know that I cannot take on his army.
They will capture me before I can get close enough. And then, they will use me to awaken the giants.
Try to save one village.
Lose the realm.
“Dammit.” I turn and check the room, making sure I have everything I came with. As soon as I’m sure, I head for the door. The halls are quiet, eerily so, with everyone downstairs likely hiding or out trying to fight for their homes.
I slip down the hall toward the room at the end. Leaving through the front door is not an option, and going out a window on the street side is not either. So I test the doors, looking for one that is open. Heart pounding in my chest, I finally find one and shove it open.
Inside, the bed is a mess, a fire still crackling in the heart, but it’s empty. I yank the window open and am greeted with the heaty scent of smoke. The screams take me back to the night Navalis fell. Only this time, there’s no powerful warrior to save me,
I have to save myself.
Which is precisely what I intend to do.
I swing my leg out, stepping down on a thin ledge that is barely large enough for me to stand on. Then, I bring my other out and sit on the ledge. The ground feels miles away, but I take a deep breath and crouch down, gripping the ledge with both fingers before climbing down until I’m dangling from my hands.
I let go. My boots hit the ground with a heavy thud, hard enough to have pain radiating up both of my legs, but I don’t take time to wait for it to pass. I move quietly between buildings, sneaking through the shadows like a thief.
Soldiers step into the alley, so I duck back behind a discarded barrel. Tucking down as low as I can, I do my best to steady my breathing and keep myself calm. The Tenebris can sense things others cannot, and while they’re not as strong as Fort, given that he was injected twice, I imagine they could find me if only they focused.
Thankfully, they do not.
They leave down the opposite direction, so I slip back out, slowly unsheathing my sword as I do. I turn a corner and come face to face with the main person I was trying to avoid. Patrick grins at me, his smile full of madness.
“Carleah. There you are.”
“Stay away from me.” I hold my sword up between us, gaze darting to the left and right as I watch for Tenebris soldiers. So far, it’s just me and him.
“You know I can’t do that.”
“Yes. You can. It’s simple.”
“I’m merely grateful you survived. I wasn’t sure if you were immune to the siren’s call as well.” He keeps moving closer, and I keep stepping back. “Stop this foolishness,” he says. “It’s time to come home.”
His use of the word home sets my blood on fire. I stiffen. “You stole my home. Therefore, I have none.” I lunge forward, spinning and swinging my blade. It slides right through his forearm, cutting part of his arm clean off.
He screams, a twisted, horrific sound that is followed by the thundering of footsteps. I start toward him, prepared to finish the job, but the Tenebris are coming, and I won’t get away in time to slay the giants if I stay.
So, with one final look at Patrick, who kneels, cradling his arm, his gaze murderous, I turn and flee.
“Get her!” he roars.
