“They told me to fly back with you, with no delays,” Erin said.
“Aright.” I turned away, heading back to the stairs.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“I’ll be in touch,” I said over my shoulder.
“What? You can’t do that. This is serious.” Erin protested.
I was already halfway down the stairs when Erin shouted.
“You’ll get us all killed!”
“If anyone asks, you haven’t seen me,” I added without looking up.
“Damn you, Ty!”
A wave of fresh air hit my face as soon as I opened thefront door. The chilly air calmed my agitation, but also introduced the sense of urgency that I could not easily place.
My eyes landed on Riolle’s citizens who filled the narrow streets. People who had their lives figured out. Each and every one of them had their difficulties, small achievements, jobs, families, and friends. They had homes they could return to. We had nothing. Our clan would not accept us after what we did. There was no place we could go to escape the council.
I continued walking, watching my surroundings and making sure I was not followed. This way of living had become the norm for all of us long ago. In many regards, we had already been living like outlaws, things would not change much. But, the decision was not for me alone to make. I paused by the entrance to the old, derelict inn and looked around. Everything seemed quiet.
Later that night, all of us gathered around the table in the dining area. The long haired boy served us dinner and the smell of the meat cooked with vegetables gave a hint of a decent meal. I looked at my friends preparing to break the news. Sol sat with his arms crossed on his chest while Frid fidgeted with her belt, and Victor looked out of the window, bored. Alina picked the spot beside me and the smell oflemon and something sweet immediately filled my head. She had her hair up in a bun and I could not keep my eyes off the loose coils that gently touched her neck and cheeks. The contrast of her porcelain skin and the bright red hair was compelling. A vision of her lying under me with her hair spread over a white pillow, ready for me to take her, clouded my head and I had to force my mind to return back to reality.
I picked up my cup and took a sip of the strong kvass that the kid with long hair just placed in front of me.
“I saw Erin,” I started without further delay.
Everyone stayed quiet.
“They want Alina back in the capital. They were not expecting her to be alive,” I continued.
“Told you.” Victor smirked.
Alina fisted her hands, wrinkling the fabric of her pants.
“I’m not taking you there,” I said, and a heavy silence followed my words.
Alina’s lips parted. It took extra effort for me to look away.
“I can’t expect all of you to follow this path. I don’t want you to risk your future. If any of you want to part ways, now is the time,” I said.
“Fuck, Ty.” Victor raked his hand through his hair.
“I’m going with you,” Frid responded.
I looked at Sol, whose face remained a mask of calmness.
“You don’t have to do this,” Alina breathed.
“It’s about time. I’m sick of the council,” Sol stated.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said.
I returned my gaze back to Victor, who nodded, giving Frid a quick glance.
