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Chapter 44

Kaiya

Darkness surrounded me as I crept through the shadows, winding my way through alleys towards the barracks.

Rien was helping Liam and Serali get through a set of tunnels Liam said he'd used to get out of the prison camp, so they should be safe. But there were no tunnels between the laundry building and the barracks. So, I was stuck, alone with my thoughts as I made my way back.

My chest ached at the memory of Liam's tears pouring over my hands, Rien pulling us up into the vents and away from his family.

Fuck!I couldn't blame him for wanting to go back. They'd looked so frail laying in those beds … in the same room as that monster …Baerloe.

The thought of the creature made my skin crawl, but some part of me was curious.

That mind mage dick had mentioned my missingmemories, too. Is that what the monster was getting at saying we needed to remember something?

I shook off the ridiculous idea.

Baerloewas mad — fed by the bondsI'dput into place, and full of corruption.

Nausea burned in my chest at the thought of all those people in the bonded ward — wasting away more with every passing day.

Consumed by that monster.

Mirrim. Gram. And so many others —

Hells, how many would die before I could finish my mission for Frexin and get them to safety?My eyes burned, chest aching at the thought.

Don't think. Don't feel. Just obey.

I repeated the mantra over and over, drowning all other thoughts — until the sound of gravel crunching behind me pulled me out. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

Glancing back, I could just barely make out the silhouette of a figure entering the alley after me.

Fuck!I'd been so caught up in my thoughts I hadn't even noticed! Had they seen us emerging from that tunnel?

I quickly debated my options — run, hide, or fight.

But my dagger hadn't been returned to me yet, the alleys were too empty to hide anything, and running away would just confirm whatever they thought I did.

Hells, none of those were good options!

Fear bit at me — I'd have to just pretend everythingwas fine until I got to the barracks. There was a chance my pursuer didn't know who I was, so once I got inside, I could perhaps hide and lose them.

I could do that. It was easy …

Forcing a deep breath, I ignored my pounding heart, made my shoulders relax, and my footsteps slow.

I was just a simple Agent, out on a late-night stroll after a few drinks at the bar.

Nothing exciting to see here …

I was a mess of nerves as I finally stepped through a side entrance into the barracks what felt like hours later.

My pursuer was still following me, making no attempt to hide their presence.

Why hadn't they announced themselves or called out to me to stop?

My room was across the building, so I wouldn't be able to get there before they made it in. And on the off chance they didn't know who I was, I didn't want to lead them to my room.