“How about something like this?” I picked an exquisitely made porcelain creamer that was sitting on Hanoch’s table.
“That’s part of my wedding set.” Hanoch sighed. “Sure, let's do it. Sol, Victor get to the kitchen and bring anything that could work.”
“On my way.” The latter responded.
“I’m going with you.” Frid went to follow him.
“Frid, can you make sure the women and children are safely guarded in the cellar?” Hanoch grabbed her elbow.
“I’ll do it,” Alina said. “We developed this plan together. I know where everything is.” She walked to the stand and picked up a sword.
I clenched my jaw, it was physically impossible to let herout of my sight, but the sooner we killed all the monsters, the sooner it would be over.
“Alright.” Hanoch nodded.
“I’ll be just one level below.” Alina gently touched my cheek, as if sensing what was on my mind.
“I can’t lose you.”
“You have to trust me.” She rose on her toes and kissed me softly.
“If anything happens to you, I’m not going to survive it,” I whispered. She traced the line of my jaw. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Too many promises.” She smiled.
“Promise.”
“I'll be careful.” She kissed my lips, before crossing the room.
I stood in a stupor, watching the door closed behind her.
Victor and Frid followed closely behind her. The last thing I saw was Victor's eyes following Frid with so many unexpressed emotions. He never had a chance to set things right, and I only hoped that all of us still had time.
CHAPTER FORTY
ALINA
The sword I picked was not the best fit for my height and build, but it would have to do. I needed something to defend myself, and it had to work. I hurried through the corridor and stood for a moment listening if anyone was in the hall. Everything, except for faint noises from the outside, remained quiet. Some parts of the room were filled with smoke, and I could only hope that the dragon Tynan fought was the only one who made it inside.
Swiftly, I ran down the stairs and came upon a set of double doors that lead to the spacious storage rooms that we planned to use as refuge.
I pushed the door, but as expected, it was locked on the inside. I banged on the door.
“Who is it?” a muffled voice sounded on the other side.
“It’s Aly. Open the door.”
Rustling on the other side was followed by a dull clank, and the next moment, one side of the door opened.
The room was packed to capacity. I could hardly fathom how cramped the vast space really was, yet it was still nowhere near as crowded as the halls during the meetings. I swallowed, trying not to think about all the families that might be stranded in the village.
“Miss Aly,” someone called and I tried my best to look confident.
These people needed a leader who would take charge and give them the reassurance that everything will turn out well.
“What’s happening outside?”
“Are they going to come after us?”
