Page 57 of A Spell of Bones and Madness (Nostos #2)
Ander signaled them to crouch down, brow furrowing as he scanned what little they could see of their surroundings.
They were still hidden for now by the brush, but they would need to stay low, bide their time until whatever legion passed.
His eyes kept flaring deep silver, dark as the fog that wrapped itself around his fingers and wrists.
Katrin’s gaze stayed glued to him. She could not fire up her own power in fear that the light might break through the greenery that shielded them.
To Katrin’s left, her sister’s hand trembled, gripping the leather strap that held their father’s curious artifact to her back so hard that her knuckles were as white as snow.
Her face paled to match as she mouthed the words, “Breathe in, breathe out,” to herself over and over.
Ajax kept one palm on Ember’s thigh, the other equally as tight on the hilt of his short sword by his waist. It was comical to think they all were ready to fight if they were discovered when they were but four against a legion of gods know how many.
Fifteen. Katrin glanced over as Ander sent the number crashing into her mind.
How do you know? she fired back.
Ajax can scent fifteen distinct scents. He’s usually accurate .
Nose wrinkling, Katrin tried not to look surprised. He can scent people? Tell them apart?
He can tell more than just that, Starling. Ander winked at her.
This is a serious moment, Ander. You shouldn’t be making inappropriate remarks.
He shrugged. You asked.
Silence brought Katrin out of her head and back to the world around her. Silence—the marching had stopped. Ander brought his finger to his lips, shaking his head. The legion was still there. The patter of a single horse riding in filled the air.
“Your Highness, we have reports that fragments of a ship were found on the eastern shore near the cliffs. No one was sighted, but the compass detected magic not of this isle.” A man’s voice came from the other side of the thicket.
“Is that so?” another replied.
Katrin’s spine stiffened and all the air rushed out of her lungs.
She knew that voice. Had known it since she was a child.
Had listened as it whispered sweet nothings in her ears.
Ander’s jaw feathered, and Katrin wasn’t sure if it was his teeth or his fists that were clenched tighter.
So Kohl had survived his sister’s blow. If he was here now, directing the very men that threatened peace in the isles, she wished that flame to the heart had knocked him dead.
“I wouldn’t expect any less from that group of vagabonds. You might not have seen them, but they are here.” Kohl paused. “Good. No one is to stop them. I’d prefer they enjoy the show. He’d prefer it.”
“Of course, Your Highness. We will report back to camp immediately.” Then the marching began once more .
When they were certain the legion was well beyond sight or ear shot, Katrin finally breathed.
This would complicate things. Yes, she knew they would have to avoid Hades’ acolytes, and soldiers, even—but to have Kohl here, to have the very men they were here to destroy report to him was too much.
It also meant one thing—King Athanas and Edmund were here as well, or they weren’t far behind.
“That gods-damned traitor is here!” her sister seethed. The first words any of them spoke out loud since the men passed by. “I thought Farah killed him.”
“Was that a hint of defensiveness you had for the princess, Drakos?” Ajax arched his brow up.
“Hardly—I just meant, what is he doing here?”
“I’m still not entirely sure.” Katrin stood as she spoke, dusting the dirt from her trousers. “We knew he was in league with his father—or was indifferent to his plans—but if the men are reporting to him, then he is way more involved than we thought.”
“It doesn’t matter how involved he is—it’s not as if Kohl would help us, not after what we did to him.
We need to keep moving. Night is approaching quickly and we will have to find somewhere safe to rest, to determine how much longer we have before we reach the caves of the mountain.
” Ander began to cut through what remained of the brush and vines between them and a potential pathway or road.
He was right. Kohl would never help them. Not after what she had done.
After walking for several more hours, navigating through a thinner forest to the side of a winding, packed path, they finally came upon a lake, tucked quietly through the trees where it would be easy to spot soldiers hunting for them.
Katrin didn't believe what Kohl said—to let them come, to leave them be.
But for now they needed to stop moving, to regroup and rest, and quite honestly come to terms with what they were walking toward.
It was calming in a way she could not remember having ever experienced before—being so close to death and beauty at the same time.
Flickering stars illuminated the lake they lay beside, their destination just beyond.
Pine and lavender clung delicately to her clothes from the day's journey through the woods. What was ahead was unknown, but for now she still had hope—hope that they could defeat the Olympi hidden on this isle. Katrin nuzzled closer into Ander’s embrace.
“You should rest, Starling,” he whispered, stroking her hair.
“Yes,” Katrin breathed, her eyes glassy, “but if this is to be our last night…I don’t want it to be our last night.”
Ander tilted his head down, placing a light kiss between her brows.
“It will not be. There are many more nights to stargaze in our future, I promise you that.” His voice was low and shaky and Katrin could not help but believe Ander was wrong.
The wind circled around them and Katrin clung to him as her eyes became heavy and the stars twinkled out.