“Did the clan approve of it?”
“No. We go on our own. There’s no time. I can’t take any chances.”
"I don’t want you to leave," she whispered.
"I know." I lowered my head, pressing my forehead to hers.
"Promise me you’ll come back."
"I promise."
The sun was warming the chilled morning air when we finally soared up and swiftly left the territory of the clan. I could not make the heavy feeling in my chest go away. I should have never left her alone. Momentarily, dark, unbearable thoughts filled my mind.
What if something happens while we’re gone? What if I never see her again?
The air in my lungs turned into lead. I could not take a breath.
“She’ll be alright.” Sol spoke directly to my mind.
I clenched my jaw and turned my head back to the horizon.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ALINA
My chest burned with every breath I took. I kept placing one foot in front of the other, though my body had already reached its limit. But instead of giving up, I pushed on. The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly on my black leather suit, but I refused to quit. Tynan, Sol, and Victor were already speeding through no-man’s-land and should be nearing the first temples of the sacred city.
What if they get ambushed by the undead beasts? What if they get trapped in the temple?
My heart was ready to jump out of my chest.
I looked up at Frid when she kicked a stone out of the way and swore. From what I could put together, early in themorning Victor had knocked on her door to tell her the news.
"I can’t believe it. First, I’m forced to wear dresses, then I’m excluded from training with the big, scary men, and now they just left me behind on a mission," she muttered.
"I... I’m sorry. It’s my fault." I panted, leaning forward.
Frid gave me a not so friendly look.
Suddenly, we could hear a sharp metallic clanging coming from the castle.
“What’s that?” I straightened, looking up.
“Come on!” Frid grabbed my hand and we sprinted back.
When we finally reached the top of the stairs, a huge crowd had gathered by the entrance. The main doors stood wide open. Peasants from the settlement, wide eyed women and crying children waited in the square.
“What’s happening?” Frid raised her voice.
“Hanoch wants to break the news to the people.” Denis leaned against the wall with his arms crossed on his chest.
I looked away, realizing that both me and Frid were in our flying suits. In the moment of panic, none of us thought about our cloaks.
“Brothers and sisters,” Hanoch stepped into the circle and raised both of his hands. “I asked all of you to come because a new danger is upon us. A new type of the undead was discovered close to our borders.”
The public gasped, somewhere a young child screamed.
"Luckily, we have ways to defend ourselves, and many of you already know what to do. But for the rest of us, someadjustments will need to be made. Specifically, women, children, and others who cannot fight must be safely evacuated. Every warrior has loved ones we want to protect, and no one can fight while worrying if our families are in danger. That’s why I’ve chosen the most capable person to oversee the evacuation plan for the civilians." Hanoch took a long pause making sure that everyone paid attention. “I appoint Frid Ducastel as the person in charge. Any questions?”
