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I came back to consciousness and stumbled into the clearing where I’d heard Kiara scream. It was no surprise that I was too late.
Charred bodies filled the field, the smell causing me to lift a hand to my nose, sputtering coughs escaping my parted fingers.
Everywhere I looked, lifeless heaps sizzled and burned, a few still snarling helplessly. Maybe the otherworldly entity that had helped me earlier had also aided Kiara.
As I thought of her, I spotted movement just ahead, a head of red hair shining in the moon’s light. But she wasn’t alone—my girl was currently being whisked away by a hooded man taller than any human I’d ever seen.
I might not have been able to see clearly, but that hardly mattered. I jumped into action, staggering across the field and after the hooded man carrying her in his arms. The ring around the moon shifted once more, the blue morphing to a pale yellow, but it provided enough light to see, and I shot through the bone-white trees after her.
All I could think about was that man taking her somewhere and hurting her. He wasn’t a recruit, and he certainly didn’t move like one of the masked creatures.
I faltered as I made my way through the prickly brush, my head pounding. I was certain there’d be a bump the size of a grapefruit, and judging by the stickiness coating my cheek, whoever had attacked me had broken skin.
Cursing the spineless prick who’d knocked me out, I sprinted, Kiara’s safety propelling my exhausted limbs. I could sleep later, once I knew she was safe. Safe withme.
The massive tree with only white and silver leaves was coming up fast. Any second now, I’d be at our meeting spot, and if she wasn’t there, I’d burn the world down and—
I jerked to a stop, not believing what was right before me.
Underneath the sanctuary of the tree lay Kiara, wrapped in clean blankets, her face impossibly free of cuts and bruises. Patrick and Jake hovered over her, the former lovingly tucking her hair back from her face. Her eyes were closed.
Panic swelled in my chest, and a fire raged. Every inch of me trembled, each step bringing me closer to learning if she lived or died. I didn’t think I so much as breathed.
“Kiara,” I finally called out, ignoring the startled faces of Patrick and Jake. I shoved them aside, scooping her small body into my arms. The boys already knew I didn’t treat Kiara like the rest of them; they understood that something had occurred between us. Which was why when I brought my brow to rest against hers, no one spoke a word. Jake even moved back, allowing me more room.
“What happened?” I ground out between my teeth once I felt her steady pulse. It was slow but strong.
“She… She told us to go,” Jake supplied from beside me. “I thought she was right on our heels, but when I turned back, I was alone.” He cursed and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m such a coward. I should’ve made sure she followed.”
“We left her.” Patrick’s voice carried the shame I hoped he felt deep in his bones.
Jake was right; they were cowards for abandoning her. If she had died, I feared what I would’ve done to them as a result.
A throat cleared, bringing me back from my murderous thoughts. “What, uh, what happened to you?” Jake asked.
I didn’t need to look at his face to know he referred to the warm blood slicking my brow, my cheek. My temples throbbed, an unbearable headache sending stabbing pain across my eyes, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.
“Someone attacked me,” I replied, my calloused fingers brushing against Kiara’s smooth cheeks. I drew back enough to stare at her perfection. She was everything I wasn’t, and I almost felt bad for holding her in my stained hands.
Patrick cursed. “One of the monsters?” he asked, his voice quaking. His entire body gave a violent shudder.
I shook my head, finally deigning to look their way. “I don’t think so,” I said. “I heard a voice right after, but I can’t remember what they said.” I scrunched my brow, trying to recall those few words, but they slipped out of reach. I probably had a concussion.
“I’m glad you’re all right.” Jake patted my arm, but when I shot him a glare, he quickly retracted his hand. “Fine, no touching,” he muttered under his breath.
“We all got lucky. And we’re lucky to have you,” Patrick added, dipping his chin to me in a sign of respect. I noted how stiff his movements were.
“No, you’re lucky she’s all right,” I snarled, and both boys flinched. Good. They seemed to have forgotten who stood before them.
“I failed another friend. I was so terrified that when she told me to run, I just…did,” Jake whispered, glancing to his muddied boots. After what had happened to Nic, he should have known better, but being angry at the lad wouldn’t change anything.
“Who brought her here?” I asked. My fingers dug into the blankets swathing Kiara.
“We didn’t see him,” Patrick said. “We were waiting here for you both, when there was a flash of blue light, and then, she just was…there. Not a cut or scrape in sight.” He motioned to the girl I held, and a soft whimper left her lips. She tossed her head to the side, but then she settled against my chest, as if seeking me out, even in her sleep. Something dangerous tugged at my heart.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Jake mused, saying what I, too, thought. “If it wasn’t one of us, then who saved her? I know the king sent out three different groups, so maybe…”
Maybe it had been another Knight? But that didn’t make sense either. They’d all entered the Mist in different locations.
