Page 59 of Bound In Inked Flame (Of Crows and Thorns Saga #1)

59

Graysen

H oly hellsgate, Elyse was an other? A fire-torch?

After being stolen by the Horned God, her parents’ remains, if you could even call it that, were globs of bloody bone and gunk that smeared the stone walls and floor and coated Sia and her husband Alesk too. So much blood covered Sia and Alesk, their wide-eyed shock stood out on faces slick with red. They remained stock-still, stunned, as if they’d barely survived a bloodbath. And in some fucked-up way, they had.

“ Gray… ”

And, gods , my friend…

Mela had collapsed to the temple floor sobbing, inconsolable and desolate, her sisters gathered defensively around her in a tight knot. The youngest brother had palmed a dagger.

“ GRAY?! ” someone whisper-hissed. My body swayed. I blinked, realizing Caidan had me by the shoulders rocking me. “Get her out of here.”

I glanced down and my heart slammed into my godsdamned throat. My little bird shook violently. Silver shot through her beautiful eyes, and her pale cheeks gleamed with tears. She panted wet, rasping breaths, unable to speak. Her fisted fingers tugged on my jacket.

The power radiating from Nelle bombarded my own senses and had that instinct roaring in my ears to protect her, almost swamping every other thought. Whatever she was hungered for release. I had to get her out of here now, before she revealed herself.

Stepping backward, I pulled her with me. Caidan slid into my vacant position. Our extended family opened a slender gap within their tight ranks to allow us through, and I moved Nelle toward the arched exit. Turning around, I spun her with me and pushed us both out of the temple.

The blustery storm wind lashed my skin as we stumbled outside. Lightning shot through the churning sky. Thunder exploded a second later.

Other members of Houses had spilled outside, but they were all too focused on what was transpiring inside to notice us.

Nelle gasped for breath, a hand to her chest, hunched over as if she might hurl everything from her stomach.

I crouched before her so we were at eye level, cupping either side of her face, my thumbs brushing the salty tears from the sharp lines of her cheekbones. Her hands snapped around my wrists, holding tight. Her whole body trembled as she tried to speak—unable to.

I had a feeling I knew exactly where she needed to go. The woods.

Unfolding myself, I gathered her small body in my arms and shoved forward—a blur of black speed racing through the woodland.

I carried her deep into the forest, faster than the storm winds raking through the trees. Deep enough to hide her from the temple and the Horned Gods. Letting her slide to her feet, I held her elbows until she steadied herself, before slamming to my knees to bow before her. I took the godsdamn heels her mother had shoved her into off, one at a time, tossed them in the undergrowth, and rose. Pressing a kiss to her clammy forehead and another to her trembling lips, I said, “Go. I’ll stay, keep watch. Do whatever you need to do.”