Page 3 of The Chains You Defy

And then I was gone.

But—

I should have killed him.

Eight hundred and ninety-five days before the end

I’d traveled to the other side of the world. So far, nothing bad had occurred as a result of my slip-up.

For the first time in my life, though, I was burdened with the need to rest.

Leaning against a fallen tree, I closed my eyes, managing the impossible—falling asleep.

Eight hundred and eighty-five days before the end

Today, I woke up uncomfortably hot.

Cleaned myself in a clear spring.

Felt watched.

Cut my bath short to resume traveling.

Eight hundred and seventy days before the end

It was as if something was draining me, and no matter how much I rested, the effect only worsened.

Not that I was able to catch many breaks anymore.

The sensation of being followed and monitored had become stronger with each passing day, and I didn’t dare sleep for more than an hour at a time.

Stringing all the evidence together, I faced reality, as painful as the insight was.

The male Tine had called Father must have done something to me. Or he’d simply triggered acurse implanted in me by Auntie. Both would explain the taste of magic I’d noticed but had forgotten until now.

Slipped today and cut open my skin. Lost precious minutes because I was staring at the blood that welled from my hand—nothing had ever penetrated my defenses before.

My body was weakening—on every level.

Would I be reunited with my siblings soon?

Eight hundred and sixty-two days before the end

My muscles twitched to the point of massive discomfort. Mouth dry, stomach cramping, but still I pushed on, never staying too long in one spot.

Sleep was a luxury I couldn’t afford anymore, because I was sure of one thing—I was being hunted.

From time to time, I’d spotted three figures in the distance, and as much as I tried, I couldn’t lose them. And they were coming closer.

Eight hundred and fifty days before the end

My heavy feet dragged across the uneven forest floor. Beads of sweat trickled off my forehead, and I couldn’t keep any food down.

Before I’d revealed myself to Tine and her father, I’d never been sick for a second of my existence. But after suffering for weeks and growing more uncomfortable each day, there was no denying that I’d caught a malady.

And I couldn’t get any rest, although my body, mind, and soul screamed for a break.

But whenever I’d found a hiding spot and had lain my head down, soon after, my persecutors had discovered me.