Page 44 of Where Darkness Falls

I’m bound by oath, but I swear to you that I would reveal everything to you if I could. You are special, Maeva,replies the voice.

I DON’T WANT TO BE SPECIAL! I just want my family back,I wail.

I curl over as nausea consumes me. I wretch until all that is left is stomach acid. Even then, I continue to dry heave.

Everything hurts.

Everything is broken.

I lie down amongst the bodies of my family, as our home is little more than ashes and embers. A cold numbness overtakes my body. There is nothing left for me.

Release me! I’ll make them pay for what they’ve done,says the voice.Let me take this burden from you.

Them.

The captain and the soldiers have destroyed everything precious that I hold dear. Burning anger flares to life in my chest. I shouldn’t have shown mercy by letting Antony escape.

Stupid, foolish me.

I should’ve known he’d come back. Anyone cruel enough to hold down two innocent women for his brother’s own sick fantasies deserves to die. He is responsible for this.

He will pay for this.

They all will pay for my suffering.

No,I say, feeling the warmth overtake my body. It comforts me like an old friend. I allow it to flow and swirl around me as I release a bellow that would cause even the dark creatures of the wood to quiver in fear.They wanted a weapon, so a weapon I shall be.

My starlight erupts across the clearing, destroying everything in its wake. The bodies of my family, the house, and the few trees are no more than ash. I allow my anger to fester within me, as I march up the now-ashen hill toward Aurelius. Once at the top, I turn back to look at the place that was once my home, grieving those that made life worth living.

I blow a kiss to the clearing, curling my hand against my chest as I whisper my final good-bye, “Until Eternity.”

One Week Later…

“For the good of Celestae,stop singing,” whines Laisren. “You’re going to awaken every beast from beyond Eternity at this point.”

“Nonsense, Laisy. There is no need to fear. Surely as the mist settles, I’ll protect you from the vicious creatures,” Riordan chuckles.

Seven days.

We have been traveling from the palace to Aurelius on horseback for seven days too long.

A small band of soldiers follow a few paces behind us. Tiernan’s report mentions that Aurelius needs some new enforcers, and because the king enjoys that we arrive overly prepared, he assigned a group of fifteen to accompany us. By Siorai’s blessing, they’re afraid of us, so there’s little to no conversation, other than about where we’ll set up campeach evening. I prefer to keep anyone Tiernan assigns at arm’s length. They’re usually similar to serpents slithering through the grass, waiting to strike.

“I don’t need your protection, you dimwit. I’m the Cadre’s Second Commander. What I need you to do is stop that screeching,” replies Laisren.

Riordan clutches his chest in mock offense. “Pulling rank now, are we, Laisy? We aren’t on a battlefield at this moment. We’re mere travelers, enjoying a merry tune,” says Riordan.

Laisren rubs a hand down his face, glancing over to me and Virgil—our silent fourth.

The Cadre are my brothers in every way other than blood relation. We were trained to be weapons as teenagers, climbing the ranks together. They’re loyal to me and trust my command, even when I told them we must leave for Aurelius immediately. Despite their exhaustion, they didn’t question it as we set off on another mission. I know without a doubt that they’ll stand by my side to the very end. I know each of them as well as I know myself.

So, this is how I also know that when we’re sent on an assignment, Riordan is going to sing some out-of-tune ballad, which will drive Laisren to the point of insanity. Eventually, Laisren will rake a hand over his face and look at me like I should put him out of his misery. Meanwhile, Virgil will remain silent until a brawl between the two ensues, to which he’ll gladly join.

Children.

I’m in an elite warrior group… with children.

Then, once the tiff is over, I remind them of their duties and our mission, which encourages them to remember why we’re here. However, I can’t allow this to escalate to a brawl today as we’re merely hours outside of Aurelius. Not to mention, I don’t need a band of soldiers witnessing anything that they could mistake for weakness within our group. We need to appear as the lethal killers that we were trained to be. It wouldn’t be the first time some lowly soldier challenged us and losttheir life. No, I need my Cadre and soldiers to be on high alert, ready for whatever dangers we face.