Page 31 of Tree of Ash (The Runic Saga #2)

“Right.” Halla followed several steps behind Saessae as they walked away from the temple. Though she tried, Halla couldn’t resist looking back at the temple that loomed in the distance where Gorthr stood on the steps, watching her walk away.

Saessae had the spirit and ingenuity of a second-born, Halla decided as she shadowed the girl through the darkened hallways on bare feet only hours later.

Just as Halla had fallen into bed, Saessae had appeared, whispering for her to take off her shoes and follow if she wanted to see Kai.

Reassured by the other maids’ soft snores in their shared space, Halla didn’t hesitate.

Kai had cared for her when no one else did; she just needed to see that he was alright. She was honor-bound. It had nothing to do with the fact that she missed him. Nothing at all.

Though she did her best to keep track of Saessae’s chosen path, Halla was hopelessly lost when Saessae sneaked past the door that Halla had thought led to the back of the property. “Isn’t that the way?”

Saessae shook her head and whispered, “All the doors have wires that trigger an alarm after dark. We have to get out unnoticed.”

They entered the kitchens, which were quiet and cold without its normal occupants.

Halla couldn’t help but turn in a wide circle as she took in the granite countertops and the porcelain sink that hadn’t cracked like the one at home.

A large island sat in the middle, large enough that Halla could live there comfortably with more than enough room to spare.

There was even a small, sleek television that looked nothing like her family’s dusty, broken box tucked away in the corner of a counter.

Saessae tugged on her hand, pulling her to the cabinets that lined the far wall.

In the farthest corner of the room, she pulled open the cabinet door and removed the towels stacked neatly inside. She emptied the cabinet, which seemed shallower than it should have been, revealing another door behind the first. Saessae giggled. “ This is how we get out.”

Halla grinned. Saessae definitely had the spirit of a second-born. On hands and knees, Halla squeezed through the narrow pathway after Saessae.

“Why is this here?” she whispered.

“All of the mansions have a secret tunnel,” Saessae explained. “Some even have two.”

Though smaller than the other girl, Halla’s hips grazed each side of the passage.

Once outside, they scurried across the smooth stone porch.

The cold night breeze raised goosebumps on Halla’s skin but soothed the constant irritation hovering at the back of her neck.

They kept to the shadows of the well-groomed bushes as they made their way to a large barn.

Though in Halla’s opinion, the word barn was incorrect.

The building in front of her was big enough to encompass her farmhouse, barn, and personal garden.

It housed the animals, but also the male slaves.

Upon reaching the building, Saessae pressed her back against the wood, her eyes reflecting the brilliance of the moon.

Above them, a window was cracked, no doubt allowing air to ventilate the barn.

She knelt on one knee and placed her hands together, clearly offering Halla a boost up.

“He’ll be on the second floor. Good luck. ”

“You’re not coming?”

“Someone has to keep watch. You have five minutes; make them count.” Saessae’s tone was uncharacteristically serious. “I wouldn’t want to lose my companion before I get to know her.”

Five minutes. Halla placed one foot in Saessae’s hands and lunged for the windowsill.

With Saessae’s extra boost, Halla was halfway through the window.

Another shove, and she had to stop herself from tumbling inside.

Her descent was less graceful than she would have liked, but at least the hay broke her fall.

Raising her head, she came face-to-face with the mournful eyes of a cow that questioned her intrusion.

Halla stroked its neck, murmuring excuses as she inched around the enormous creature.

Though guided by snores, it took Halla longer than she wanted to find the ladder that led to the loft.

She ascended into pitch blackness and stood frozen at the top of the ladder, unsure how to proceed, how to find Kai, knowing that her minutes were quickly ticking by.

Not knowing what else to do, she whispered. “Kai?”

Someone very near her feet stirred. “Halla? Please tell me that’s not you.”

Halla crouched, feeling Kai’s legs near her feet.

It made sense that as the newest slave, he would be placed at the edge of the loft, farther from the warmth of the other bodies.

She moved closer to his face so that her whisper was hardly an exhale.

“You could at least pretend you’re happy to see me. ”

“I can’t see anything,” he hissed, his words blowing air into her face. “What in Hel’s name were you thinking? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Even in the dark, Halla felt Kai stiffen. “You risked another punishment just to make sure I was okay ?”

Halla fought the urge to cross her arms. “Yes, but I can see that was a mistake.”

Kai’s hand grabbed the crook of Halla’s arm before she could leave. “That was . . . kind of you. No one’s done anything like that for me before. Stupid, but kind.”

Halla ignored the insult, choosing instead to accept the compliment.

“How did you get out of the house?”

“There’s a secret exit in the kitchen. Saessae showed me.”

“Another slave?”

“Not technically . . .”

“Then who?”

Halla bit her cheek, knowing Kai wouldn’t like the answer.

He sighed, loud enough that Halla nearly jumped. “She’s the master’s daughter, isn’t she? What is it with you and who you choose for friends?”

“I chose you, didn’t I?”

“That just proves my point.”

At a sudden snore, Halla’s comeback died on her lips. They both stilled, waiting as the man farther off readjusted, and his breathing fell back into a steady rhythm.

“So, are you okay?” she asked.

“I’m okay. Are you?”

The phantom touch of Gorthr’s hand on her arm sent a shiver across her skin.

Kai’s hand rubbed the goosebumps on her arm. “Are you cold?”

“Saessae took me by the temple today.” Kai’s hand stopped moving at Halla’s words. “There was a man there, named Gorthr. It was the same man who brought us here.”

“Avoid that temple and all of the Hoorg.”

No duh , she thought, but only said, “I should go. Saessae said not to take longer than five minutes.”

“Then go. Only, Halla . . .”

Halla paused, one foot on the ladder. “Yes?”

“Thank you. For checking on me.”

Halla was grateful for the darkness that hid the way her nose and cheeks burned. “You’re welcome.”

“Just don’t do it again, okay? I’m not worth it.”

He turned away before Halla could respond.

She dropped down the ladder and darted back across the barn until she found the cow’s stall.

The Norn must have been smiling, for Halla found a stool used for milking and positioned it directly under the windowsill.

Though the effort took more than before, she was just able to push herself through the window where Saessae waited on the other side to pull her through.

“Your boy okay?”

Halla flushed. “He’s not mine, but yes.”

“Good, let’s go.”

The mansion loomed in front of them. Halla felt more trepidation in returning to the house than fleeing from it.

Swallowing against the fear, she followed Saessae across the porch, through the cabinet passage, and into the kitchen.

With silent hands, they stuffed the towels back in the cabinet and turned to leave.

But approaching footsteps froze them where they stood.

Saessae recovered first, shoving Halla in the pantry and closing the door after squishing herself inside as well.

The door had just clicked when the kitchen lights flickered on.

Warped from either age or time, the seam between the pantry door and frame was almost an inch in width, allowing Halla a thin layer of sight into the kitchen to watch as the master of the house drew a bottle from the counter and gulped down half its contents while turning on the small TV that sat on the counter.

The sudden noise grated against Halla’s nerves.

Shaking with fear, she was grateful when Saessae clasped her hand.

Light poured from the screen, nothing like the static that Pappa had at times been able to coax from their old TV before it had passed into a peaceful death.

The colors were stark and vibrant. Halla felt as though the images on the screen might actually step through the glass and appear in real life, yet Saessae was completely unimpressed.

It was only another reminder of the differences between those within the Second Wall and those beyond.

Halla pressed her face against the door, mesmerized by the woman who stared through the screen almost as if she could see Halla watching from the other side of the glass.

The woman was beautiful, but there was something terrible in her expression.

Her coloring, not unlike Kai's, was so different from what Halla was used to in the south.

Her stark black hair was pulled into a clean bun, and a crown of diamonds dripped around her head.

A deep blush spread across her fair skin.

“. . . we must protect what we have created. I, your Empress, challenge each of you to be mindful of those around you.”

Hel’s icy fingers trailed down Halla’s spine. This was the Empress?

Halla’s entire body pushed against the door, desperate to see more than the crack allowed.

The woman on the small screen was older, yes, but by no means old.

She looked even younger than Mamma had. Of course, Halla remembered, that must have been due to the Empress’ use of galdr that preserved her body and slowed her aging.

The woman’s tone compelled Halla to listen.

There was authentic concern for her people in her voice, ringing true above a steel foundation.

The woman never blinked her angular eyes that peered through the screen like a predator stalking its prey. “Even now, your neighbors, your slaves might plot against you. It is your duty to protect our shining nation or else let it plunge into darkness and bring upon us another Ragnarok .”

With her final warning, the Empress vanished, replaced by a man with graying streaks in his dark hair.

Though the gray spoke to advanced years, the man’s face was hard and attentive.

Stripes of ranking decorated the right shoulder of his well-pressed suit.

Halla could recognize her own ignorance in many ways, but in this one, her Pappa’s reminders served her well.

The black stripe embossed in the Isa rune was enough to represent his position as Regent of Perle.

His voice was deep, and an undercurrent of anger coursed through it.

“Your Empress has protected you tirelessly for the past five decades, but it is our job, your job, to repay her kindness in turn, lest you find yourself on the wrong side of history. Our illustrious commonwealth is only tolerated by the Empress’ good graces.

Those who would dare defile our Empress have a place reserved for them in my gallows, but those loyal enough to report will be rewarded—”

The master of the house harrumphed, drowning more of the bottle as he watched the screen in mild disinterest. With a final click, he turned it off and set down the empty bottle.

Halla could only see parts of him as he walked back and forth, perhaps searching for another bottle. His hand reached for the pantry.

Saessae pulled Halla away from the door, as if she could shield Halla with her own body. But Halla knew no manner of sweet talking would get her out of this one. She would be punished. Severely. Her lips formed the prayers of memory and repetition. The back of her neck burned.

The master stopped. Through the crack, Halla could see the master’s palm shaking.

He noticed it as well and frowned at the offending appendage in disgust. Seeming to reconsider, he lifted the empty bottle in his other hand.

So slowly that it seemed the master might be toying with Halla, he withdrew his hand, turned off the light, left the bottle on the counter, and shuffled out of the room.

Saessae’s hot exhale settled on the back of Halla’s neck. It itched in discomfort, but Halla remained unmoved. What if it was some kind of trap? She waited, but seconds dragged into indefinite minutes.

Finally, Saessae nudged her from behind. “Let’s go.”

Blissful uneventfulness greeted them in the hallways as Saessae returned Halla to her quarters before sneaking away with the promise to see her in the morning.

Halla climbed into her bed, weary to her bones despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Though she swore she’d never be able to sleep, it came swiftly.

The Empress’ face and voice followed Halla into her nightmares, accompanied by Brother Gorthr watching from the shadows.