AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Several hours later, Knox stopped the car, everyone else awake again. I don’t know what I expected, but a grouping of trees sure as shit wasn’t it. There were no buildings, no signs of civilization for miles. And yet, Knox assured the group that the library was somewhere nearby.
Getting out of the car, we all grouped together, everyone’s face a mirror of confusion. We knew going into this that Knox didn’t have a specific location, but at this rate, it seemed we could be searching for hours without finding anything. And we didn’t have the time. Knox confirmed my thoughts when he spoke.
“Isawthe Council and members of the Guard this morning tracking us. I lost them a while back, meaning Jay must be blocking me. I don’t know how long we have before they’re here, but we need to hurry.”
The undertone of urgency spurred us all on, the seven of us moving together towards the woods, ready to search every inch.
“We should split up, cover more ground.” Wilder added and all of us eyed each other hesitantly. We knew we didn’t have much time, but if the Council caught up to us, we’d be at a disadvantage split up. Both sides of the coin were a risk and I didn’t know which was better to land on.
“We should only split into two groups. We can’t risk two people going off on their own, knowing that the Council is right behind us.” Halley spoke, making the decision. I didn’t like the idea of not knowing if everyone was safe, but there wasn’t much choice.
Knox took the lead once more, splitting our group up. Knox, Madden, Maeve, and Kalani would go one way, while Halley, Wilder, and I would go the other. If the Council caught up to either group, Knox wouldseethem coming or Wilder would hear them. As for the split, if worst came to worst, Madden would shift, and Halley could reach out to his creature form. The situation wasn’t ideal, but hell, none of this was.
With one last lingering look at each other, none of us wanting to admit that this could be the last time we saw each other, our groups took off in opposite directions, not even sure what we were looking for. After one discussion when we had first learned of Sanctum Library, we had decided that it would have been protected like the communities. It couldn’t just be sitting out in the woods, where any human could find it, but behind a barrier that an Enchanter had erected. Clearly, that made this situation more difficult, but not impossible.
The three of us walked in silence, Wilder ahead and using his enhanced hearing and sight to keep watch, while Halley and I trailed behind, keeping an eye out for any open spaces or unusual areas. Looking over at Halley to check how she was doing, I was surprised to see her eyebrows scrunched and lips pursed, confusion decorating her features instead of focus.
“What’s going on, Halls?” I murmured, trying to keep my voice low.
Turning towards me, her brows furrowed further, before she responded. “I think I’ve been here before.”
Although spoken quietly, Wilder heard her words, flashing back to us in an instant.
“What exactly does that mean princess?” He questioned, tension pouring off him.
“Mom and I moved around a lot, and I mean a lot, so I never remembered every place. Especially after her death, I blocked out most of the memories that weren’t important. But I swear, I know this place,” Halley’s words trailed off before a horrified look passed over her face.
“Oh my god, I know where we are. And I think I know where to go.”
Without waiting for us, Halley took off in a sprint, following the memory that obviously just resurfaced. Wilder looked at me with wide eyes before flashing after her, me right on their heels. Halley didn’t pause to look behind her, focusing intently on her steps as she chased after a destination only she knew.
Stopping suddenly, Wilder and I halted behind her, looking around. Nothing seemed out of place, the area compacted with trees and no clearing in sight.
Grabbing her hand, I asked, “What’s here Halls? Why do you know this place?”
Halley opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, another voice spoke behind us.
“I always knew you’d find yourself back here. Seems fitting you’ll die exactly where she did.”
Chapter Forty-One
Halley
The voice sent a shiver up my spine and I slowly turned around, fear in my movements. I had only heard the voice a few times, but I knew we had just run out of time. Jay stood before us, dozens of Council and Guard members behind him, forming an apprehensive defense against the measly three of us. As Jay stepped towards us, Eli and Wilder both shifted in unison, blocking my path towards the man who was desperately trying to ruin my life and the rest of the Divines. Jay paid no attention to the two men protecting me, his eyes only on me. And as I returned his stare, all I saw was rage and a hunger for a power he didn’t deserve. And yet, there was something else in those eyes. Something I couldn’t understand, or something I didn’t want to understand. Pushing those thoughts away, I spoke.
“You killed my mother.” My voice was strong, no hint of the heartbreak I had dealt with over the past decade filtering through my words.
Jay chuckled, continuing to step forward. “I wasn’t the one that pulled the trigger, but yes, it was my intention for her to be killed. It should have happened much earlier, but Lenora ran away before she could join the rest of the Enchanters. Put quite the damper on my plans.”
His voice was so nonchalant as he admitted to the massacre of an entire Sector, as if he would do it all again in a heartbeat. As if he had no remorse for the cruel things he had done. The pain he had put so many Divines through for the sake of his own position.
“Why would you kill all of them? You could have allowed everyone to return to Agrum Di Vinum, lead us there.”
Jay ignored my questions, continuing his monologue while inching closer. “Lenora had fantastical ideas. She got them from that crazy father of hers. They would find the prophecy, bring everyone home, and live in prosperity. But what she didn’t understand is that once there, there would be no choice who was in charge. The five heirs would take their throne, ruling over Agrum Di Vinum. And I knew, that wasn’t me.” Pausing, as if to make sure we were all listening, he continued. “You see, when the prophecy was first found, I was as excited as the rest of them. Until I found out the heirs were not born yet. And I knew that all my struggling to get a seat on the Council would mean nothing. I was meant to rule the Divines, I was the best, and that would all be for nothing.”
“So, you would rather allow the Hunters to kill your own people? The people you claim to want to protect?” I demanded, his words sounding more estranged as he went. How could he have willingly allowed his own people to be murdered?
“You’re a naïve girl, not understanding the world of the Divines. A few deaths here and there allowed me complete control. Why would anyone leave their communities whenIwas there to protect them? Why would they question their leader who did everything to protect them?”
