“The king’s powers cannot be underestimated. He has ways of finding people and making them pay.”
He shudders, a haunted look passing through his eyes. What has he seen that has instilled him with such fear?
“I know he’s dangerous.” I saw the king’s magic and what he did to Kadyn. Heard the rage in his voice. He wants to kill me; there’s no doubt in my mind. My Mark pulses at the thought, and I squeeze my fists, trying to shake the unsettled feeling that has taken over me.
“No, you don’t, Wren. You might think you do, but until you see what he can do, until you witness the depths of his magic...” A vein pulses in Gabriel’s jaw, and a look of absolute agony crosses his face before it hardens into stone. “King Andreasisdeath, little bird.”
A statement like that would sound like a joke coming from anyone else, but there’s no mistaking the seriousness in Gabriel’s voice. He truly believes what he’s saying.
And I . . .
Suns save me, but I can see where he is coming from.
The king has never been portrayed as kind. Even as a child, sheltered from most things thanks to my status as a Given, I knew he was to be feared. But the man I met last night was filled with a darkness that permeated every part of his being.
His voice, his eyes, even his movements.
King Andreas Bloodthorn is the nightmare used to keep children in their beds, the villain in stories told in dark corners of taverns late at night.
Because of coursethat’sthe man who is coming after me.
One would think my bad luck has to run out at some point, right? It feels like I should be due for a stroke of good fortune, but it doesn’t seem to be coming any time soon. My life hassteadily gone downhill ever since I snuck into Amelia’s Giving Ceremony.
Today’s mybirthday, for suns’ sakes. Twenty-one feels like it should be a monumental year. When my older brothers turned twenty-one, they had parties. I remember watching as everyone else drank too much, laughed, and talked too loudly and generally enjoyed life.
There won’t be a party for me today. No gifts. No celebrations.
All I have to show for myself is a feverish Mark, two dead friends, a cramping stomach, and a thirst that’s getting worse by the hour.
And, on top of all that—as if it isn’t enough—an evil king with a penchant for cruelty and bloodshed is using every tool at his disposal to search for me.
Delightful. Absolutely fucking wonderful. Happy gods-damned birthday to me, I suppose.
Twisting my hands together, I sigh. “Okay. Well, that’s... terrible.”
What else is there to say?
“Yes, it is.” Gabriel stands, extending his hand towards me. “Come on. We have to leave right away.”
His tone is firm, one of a man unused to hearing the wordno.
Moments like these make me wonder how I ever thought that Gabriel was anything but a soldier. Everything about him screams that he’s a trained warrior. He is powerful, strong, and clearly knows his way around weapons.
Suns, dealing with my problems would be so much easier if I had some of his training. If I knew how to wield a sword, or if I were an expert huntress, skilled with a bow and arrow, I’d have a chance of defending myself.
Instead, I’m just . . . me.
A few days ago—suns, even twenty-four hours ago—I would’ve argued with the Hunter. Following his orders doesn’t come naturally to me, and it isn’t easy. But difficult as it may be, I’m able to recognize that he’s trying to help us. Besides, we have bigger problems at hand.
I slip my hand into Gabriel’s, forcing myself to ignore the warmth emanating from him, and rise to my feet. As soon as I’m standing, he pulls his hand from mine and crouches, studying the ember once more.
Keeping my distance from the crimson particle, I go to my sisters. Touching Violet’s shoulder, then Marie’s, I whisper, “Wake up, girls. It’s time to go.”
Their eyes blink open at the same time, and they clamber to their feet, yawning. They are identical replicas of each other, down to their violet hair. They even reach their arms upwards at the same time, stretching like the stray cats I used to bring home.
It’s a suns-damned miracle that they slept for as long as they did in this cold, uncomfortable space. I’m not surprised, though. Mother always said the twins could probably sleep through an earthquake, and it seems she was right.
The girls cast furtive glances at Gabriel, but neither of them speaks to him. That’s probably for the best.
