Page 18 of A Monarch's Fall

“Hi, Percy,” Idonea greeted before Dylan had even sat her down.

Percy grimaced as she was placed in the seat next to her. The lights were off in the bus, to avoid detection by any True North scouts, and it was dark, but I could hear the excitement from the seer’s voice.

I sat down beside Harris in the seat behind Percy.

“Where is everyone else?” Katrina asked from behind the wheel.

“Dead,” Percy answered, “like I thought you were. Didn’t you run away?” she continued, and it was disorientating to hear Percy speak with such malice.

It was clear the impact Selene had been having on her.

“The maze took them,” Dylan explained.

Percy laughed, “Did the maze kill Fredrick?” she asked, derisively, “No, he’d still be alive if it wasn’t for you, dragging us into gunfire and taking me here against my will!” she accused.

“This is war, Percy. You can’t avoid bullets in war,” Dylan replied defensively. “There was no other choice.”

“Is that what you’re going to tell their families?” she challenged.

“Every member of The New Foundation knows the risks when they join,” he replied.

Percy looked like she was about to reply when Idonea reached out and took hold of Percy’s leg.

Percy screamed and threw herself back against Dylan.

“What is wrong with you?” she cried out in pain.

“Your leg looks broken,” Idonea answered.

“And so, you grab me like that?” Percy yelled.

“If that’s everyone, let’s get a move on,” Katrina said, starting the engine.

“I just wanted to get a better look at your injuries,” Idonea defended.

The minibus began to move; the road was uneven and Percy immediately cried out, clutching at the thigh of her injured leg that rested across the seats.

“You should let me evaluate your injuries,” Idonea continued and reached out, taking hold of Percy’s injured leg by the ankle.

“Get off me! I don’t even know you!” Percy yelled.

“I don’t know anyone here!” she accused, turning to look at me between the seats.

Her words hurt.

“You know me,” I protested quietly.

“I thought I did,” she spat back angrily. “But a friend wouldn’t do what you’re doing. And you know fully what you’re doing,” she accused.

Dylan gave me a questioning look. I could see the distrust in his gaze. He thought I was too close to Heidi and, by extension, to Selene; it didn’t matter that I couldn’t stand either woman. I was a witch, and he clearly held some form of discrimination if he found it so difficult to believe that not all witches were allies.

“Percy, you must trust me. I’m here for you. I’m here to help you,” I pleaded with her.

She was injured, in pain, upset, disoriented, and taking it out on those around her. Was it a side effect of the soul match? Was this some type of defence mechanism of the bond? She wasn’t behaving much like my Percy.

“Trust you?” she repeated angrily before screaming in pain and turning back to confront Idonea, who had ripped the fabricof Percy’s leg trousers. The tearing of the material distracted all of us.

“What the actual fuck!” Percy roared. “Leave me the fuck alone.”