Page 26 of Twisted Souls (Twisted Souls #1)

Zara

After receiving that letter, it was decided that Theo and Julian would stay behind. Xavier, Dedra, and Jaxon were my only companions on the journey, and the thought of being stuck on the road without Julian’s or Theo’s comic relief felt daunting.

The towering, dark stone castle loomed behind us as we emerged from the large iron gates at the edge of the grounds. The air was warm, and the dirt path stretched out ahead of us, winding and narrow.

Guards in black and emerald uniforms patrolled the edges of the castle. They lined the perimeter walls, stationed at intervals like sentinels, their sharp eyes sweeping the area. Some carried spears that gleamed under the low sunlight; others had swords strapped to their sides, or axes strung across their backs.

I realized, with a faint sense of unease, that I hadn’t noticed this many guards before. Then again, my time outside the castle had been limited to brief walks. Inside the castle, their numbers seemed sparse—just a few stationed at key points—but outside, they were everywhere.

We passed through the outskirts of their village, Blackrock, and I wished Julian had taken me there on one of our walks. The place looked enchanting, like something from a book. Stone and wooden structures stood clustered together, connected by dark wooden bridges spanned over rocky terrain and cobbled streets. Vibrant moss in hues of green and gold crept across nearly every building while pine needles from the surrounding trees blanketed the rooftops. The markets bustled with life, though we stayed too far away for me to get a proper look at the wares or the people.

Guards patrolled the perimeter here as well. They were like shadowed statues, their outlines stark against the weathered, moss-covered stone.

With our horses laden with supplies, we rode on for the first several hours. The castle gradually vanishing into the distant horizon. No one really spoke, only stopping when necessary.

I had tried to talk to Jaxon, but every time I slowed my horse to get near him, he kept being further and further away. I had glared at him but ultimately stopped trying. Xavier had ridden next to me most of the journey so far, not saying anything, but that wasn’t much of a surprise. He wasn’t exactly talkative.

We had been traveling under canopied trees, a mixture of oaks and maples arching over our heads, shading us from the heat of the sun. Wildlife, rabbits and squirrels made them self-known and insects—a lot of insects flew over our heads. It didn’t seem different from our forests back home. Not that I wanted some unknown creature to make an appearance or anything, but it felt all too normal, too similar.

We hadn’t come across any other travelers either, and it had made me uneasy. Back home, you couldn’t travel without running into at least twenty or so other travelers. The others didn’t seem bothered, so I chose to ignore my rising anxiety about it.

Jaxon still maintained a noticeable distance from me, his presence trailing behind like a shadow. I saw the way he looked at me when I hugged Xavier. It had surprised me too that I had, but the way he looked at us.

You and him , he had said. Did he mean Xavier and me? His expression at breakfast confirmed as much, but we would sooner kill or annoy each other to death before anything remotely romantic would happen between us.

Jaxon was punishing himself for some reason. I know he regrets hurting his brother and feels the weight of the responsibility for opening the realm, but in doing so, he will hopefully end up protecting mine. Who knows what could have happened if he hadn’t taken that risk? I’d probably be dead.

Something darted past my head, yanking me abruptly from my thoughts. I let out a startled shriek as a rapid buzzing filled my ears, accompanied by a sharp tug on my hair. I felt a fluttering against my scalp and saw a blur of movement. My heart raced as I gripped the reins tightly with one hand, my other hand flailing in the air, trying to fend off whatever was attacking me.

Something lifted me into the air, and I swatted again as something sharp bit into my hand. I cried out again and was abruptly dropped back onto my horse. Xavier was now at my side, and I turned my panicked gaze up at him. He was suppressing a laugh, and his face looked amused. Amused?!

“What the hell was that?!” I shouted, scanning the sky for what had attacked me.

Dedra was laughing uncontrollably, her hand pressed over her mouth in a vain attempt to stifle her amusement.

“This isn’t funny! I was attacked!” Despite my shouting, Xavier and Dedra just laughed even harder. I glanced at Jaxon, who was also shaking, a smile on his lips, and I looked around again, frantically searching, but I saw nothing.

“Those were pixies,” Xavier said through barely suppressed laughter. “They like to play tricks on travelers, and—” He cleared his throat to cover another laugh, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Anyway, I’ve sent them away.”

“Pixies?” I asked, incredulous.

Xavier just nodded, and Dedra erupted again, turning away and covering her mouth. “You should have seen your face!” Dedra managed between giggles. She mimicked me flailing and swatting around on her horse, and everyone, including Jaxon, joined in.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny,” I said flatly, looking at the small bite marks that now marked my skin. The marks were red, but thankfully, they hadn't broken the skin.

“Oh, lighten up,” Dedra replied, still grinning. “At least they didn’t carry you off and dump you into a lake like they did to Jaxon that one time.” Her grin widened; it was the first time she’d spoken to me without a hint of hostility.

I smiled at that and turned to Jaxon, raising an eyebrow. “Is that right?”

Jaxon still avoided eye contact, but I saw him roll his eyes at Dedra. “At least they didn’t throw mud at me and make me fall off my horse,” Jaxon shot back, flashing his teeth at Dedra.

Xavier grinned and added, “That’s nothing. At least you two didn’t have honey dumped on your head. I had to shave most of my hair off, and I was nearly bald for months.”

I snorted at that, and Xavier turned to me. “They are mischievous little things.” He added with a chuckle, “You are lucky they didn’t do worse, but this is definitely going on my top five,” Xavier said, winking at me, and I swatted at him playfully.

He dodged my advance toward him, guiding his horse away from mine. I rolled my eyes and looked at Jaxon. Our gaze locked, and the intensity in his stare made me recoil slightly. He was already looking away, and the moment was gone.

“We should continue before they decide to come back for more,” Xavier said awkwardly, and Jaxon didn’t hesitate before riding past us and down the path.

We all started to follow when a thunderous crash echoed through the clearing. A massive Daka erupted from the surrounding woods, charging straight toward Jaxon. The sheer force of its presence sent tremors rippling through the ground, causing Jaxon’s horse to stumble. The sudden jolt sent them both crashing to the earth.

Green liquid poured down upon Jaxon from the cavernous maw, its teeth glistening with menace. The beast’s massive claw bore down on him, pinning him to the ground, while his horse, sensing the imminent danger, reared up and bolted into the trees, galloping away desperately to escape the beast.

My horse responded to the sudden surge of fear, bucking and rearing as its powerful legs kicked frantically at the air. I gripped the reins tightly, my knuckles white, as I fought to remain in the saddle. My heart raced as I watched Jaxon struggle to escape from beneath the beast's claws, his movements desperate and frantic.

Xavier appeared on top of the Daka, a long sword slicing through the air into its massive skull. It let out a roaring whimpering as it thrashed its head, trying to throw Xavier.

Dedra knelt beside Jaxon on the ground, using Xavier's distraction to pull him from beneath the beast's claw. She pulled him free as its paw came crashing downward again toward them. They dove out of the way, but before the Daka could lunge forward, Xavier shadowed, appearing mid-air near its throat. Another reflective slash of his hands had blood spraying out across the ground, and the Daka stumbled backward, thrashing wildly. Xavier crashed to the ground, his tall, dark figure covered in blood. He watched as the beast fell to the ground, its sickly green-scaled body no longer moving.

I dismounted my horse, my eyes wide, and ran toward Jaxon and Dedra, who were both wiping green sludge from their clothing.

“Are you okay!?” My panicked voice filled the air as Jaxon’s golden eyes fell onto mine. His face was tight, and I hadn’t realized how tall he was without his human disguise. He looked the same, yet so different. His face was more chiseled, his eyes larger, and his hair cut short. His muscles were much larger, though he had definitely lost weight.

“I'm fine,” he breathed, turning his back to me as he walked into the trees. A shadow fell over me as I stared after him. Turning, I saw Xavier staring over my head in the direction Jaxon had disappeared into the woods.

“He is probably just going to find his horse,” Xavier said tightly, his jaw ticking as his emerald gaze dipped down toward me. He was drenched in blood, his black riding leathers covered in a green-red sheen. The smell was putrid, and I couldn’t help but clasp my hand over my nose.

Xavier let out a humorless laugh. “There is a river not far from here. We will set up camp there.” He turned, striding to Dedra, who scrunched her nose at the sight of him, but otherwise leaned in to listen to whatever he was now whispering into her ear.

Dedra’s almond-brown eyes snapped to mine, and she started walking toward me.

“Come on, Princess.” She swung her leg over her horse, her braided bun now unraveled and hanging over her shoulder. She looked at me, then pointedly at my horse, and I rolled my eyes as I remounted and followed her down the path.

“What about—”

“They will be right behind us,” Dedra said, cutting my questions off.

“Why didn’t Jaxon just shadow away from the Daka?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Dedra looked at me, hesitation in her eyes. “That green liquid from the Daka is poison,” Dedra explained. “Too much contact with our skin can weaken our magic and slow us down. If ingested or if it seeps into a wound, it can be deadly.” She paused, her gaze drifting toward the trees. “Thankfully, we have an antidote. But to answer your question, it dumped a mouthful of sludge onto him when it first pounced. His magic probably stalled from that.”

I nodded, letting that information sink in, and shivered. I wondered how often attacks like that had happened that she wasn’t as shaken as I was. “Are you okay?” I asked, and Dedra snorted in response.

“I’m fine. They are fine as well. These kinds of attacks are normal here. Have been for a long time.”

I frowned. “Because of Morgana.”

Dedra only nodded.

“I'm sorry.”

Dedra snorted again. “It's not like you unleashed them on our realm. What do you have to be sorry for?” She turned her head toward me, arching a brow.

“Just sorry,” I whispered, and we continued to ride in silence.

We came to a clearing, and Dedra swung down from her horse, her boots thudding softly against the earth. Her horse trotted off and began to graze nearby, its nostrils flaring in what seemed to be irritation. I dismounted and began to unpack our supplies, but Dedra’s hand landed on mine.

“We should bathe first,” she said, glancing at the grime on my hands. Leaving our packs behind, we made our way through the swaying trees toward the nearby river.

As we stepped out onto the bank, a shared sigh escaped our lips upon seeing the water's glassy surface.

Dedra unfurled her long, strawberry-blonde hair, allowing it to cascade down her back. I hadn’t realized how long her hair was, and I watched in surprise as Dedra began to unfasten an extensive array of weapons strapped to her body. Each piece fell to the floor in a clamor and soft clinks, revealing more than I had imagined hidden beneath her travel-worn clothing. She glanced over at me with a knowing smirk, clearly amused. She pulled the last of her daggers from her boots before kicking them off and started to undress.

I followed suit, kicking off my boots and peeling off my clothes before stepping into the water's cool embrace. As I glanced down into the shimmering surface, I was struck by my reflection. My gaze went to Dedra again, and a pang of self-conscious irritation tore through me as I watched the distorted image of myself ripple in the water. Compared to her, I looked like a troll.

Dedra’s smooth, perfect hair gleamed in the sunlight while mine hung in knotted, unkempt strands from the long journey. Her skin had a warm, sun-kissed glow, and every muscle was defined with strength. Meanwhile, my pale skin seemed almost ghostly by comparison, weak and frail.

I slapped at my reflection and dunked my head under water, scrubbing my scalp in irritation.

“He doesn’t hate you, you know.” Dedra’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I looked up to find her studying me. Her almond eyes seemed softer than her usual harsh glare.

“What?” I asked, my brow furrowing as I tried to piece together her meaning.

“Jaxon,” Dedra replied softly, her gaze steady on me. I looked away quickly, heat rising to my cheeks as I tried to hide my reaction to his name.

“He doesn’t hate you,” she said again, her voice firmer this time. I let out a sharp sigh, dipping my hand in and out of the water.

“I’m not too sure about that,” I muttered, watching the ripples move on the water's surface.

Dedra’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she crossed her arms. “He doesn’t,” she insisted, her tone matter-of-fact.

My head turned toward her, curiosity getting the better of me. “Do you?” I asked abruptly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “Hate me?”

Her brows shot up, and a startled laugh escaped her lips. She tilted her head, studying me. The pause made me shift uncomfortably, my shoulders hunching as I waited for her answer.

“I don’t necessarily trust you,” she said after a moment, her tone sharp. “But no, I don’t hate you.” She huffed, amusement lining her tone.

The tension in my shoulder lessened, and her lips quirked up in a small smile.

“I don’t know you well enough to hate you,” she added, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

I let out a breathy laugh. “I guess that’s fair,” I said, returning her smile.

We continued to bathe in comfortable silence as birds chirped and insects flew overhead as the sun continued to set in the sky.

“Green,” I said into the silence, and Dedra raised her brows in confusion.

“My favorite color,” I said, getting out of the water and putting on my clothes. “Now you know a little more about me.” I grinned at her, and she let out a choked laugh, shaking her head at me. She got out of the water and started to dress.

“Red,” Dedra said after a few moments, glancing at me side-long, a smirk playing on her lips as we made our way back to the camp.

We stepped into the clearing and found a fire burning at its center. Jaxon tended to it while Xavier lay sprawled on a bedroll beside it, his head propped on his arms…shirtless.

“Does he ever wear a goddamn shirt?” I grumbled, and Dedra’s lips twitched. They both appeared to have bathed and had set up most of the camp while we were gone.

“Not as long as I’ve known him.” She chuckled.

“And how long is that?” I asked curiously.

“Almost my entire life,” she replied flatly, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Unfortunately,” she added with biting sarcasm.

A large twig crashed into Dedra’s hair, and she glared over at Xavier, who whistled to himself with his eyes closed. He was still sprawled on his bedroll, and I chuckled.

“How did you guys meet?” I pushed, and Dedra’s eyes softened.

“Flynn, their uncle, took Theo and me in as kids. We were orphaned when a group of witches attacked our village, and their uncle found us trapped in a cellar. We didn’t have our magic yet and probably wouldn’t have made it if it weren't for him. He took us in, and we were raised in the castle,” she admitted, and my eyes widened at the information.

“I’m sorry about your parents,” I said softly.

“It was a long time ago now,” she said with a shrug, and we both took a seat around the fire.

“So, you all grew up together? Like siblings?”

Jaxon let out a choked laugh, and Dedra shot him a small smile, but answered. “Yes, and no.” She turned back toward me. “We grew up in the same castle, but we definitely had different upbringings. As kids, we played, but as we grew older, we were all separated. Flynn had to focus on raising the future royals over here, and my brother and I were raised mostly by the staff and villagers. It wasn’t until we were all in battle training that we became close again.” Dedra smiled and glanced at the two men, who grinned wickedly back at her. “But those are stories for another time,” she said, flashing her teeth at me.

Jaxon met my eye, and his smile faltered. He stood abruptly, turning and stalking off toward the trees. My blood boiled, and I watched him disappear into the shadows, my frustration simmering, before returning my gaze to the flames.

“Just give him time.” Xavier's silky voice rang out across the fire.

“Time for what? I don’t even know what happened,” I snapped, and I looked behind me at the tree line again.

I stood and took off after him. Dedra protested, but no one got up to stop me. I had enough of him ignoring me like I did something wrong. I didn’t do anything! His brother trapped me, and the woman who raised me turned out to be an evil witch, and he was mad at me ?

I emerged through the trees back at the river’s edge, and my eyes scanned the bank, but Jaxon was nowhere to be found. Frustration gnawed at me as I continued to look for him. He had to be here somewhere. I saw him come this way.

Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth with a hand to muffle my scream.

“Still not very observant, are we, Princess?” Jaxon’s voice rang out behind me, tinged with amusement and frustration. I sagged with relief at the sound of it.

As he released me, I whirled around to face him. “What is your problem?” I demanded. My voice trembling with emotion. “I thought there was something between us. Why are you pushing me away?”

“You don't know what you're feeling,” Jaxon retorted sharply, his tone laced with bitterness. He strode toward the water's edge as he continued, “There can be nothing between us, Zara. It's just the way it is.”

“Something is already between us,” I shot back defiantly, stepping into his path. “What changed?”

“Drop it, Zara,” Jaxon snapped, pushing past me and stalking further down the bank. I followed after him.

“I will not drop it,” I persisted. “Tell me what has changed.”

“Everything has changed!” Jaxon barked, spinning to face me, his voice full of raw emotion.

“Is this because of Aria?” I pressed, desperation creeping into my voice. My insecurities were coming back to the surface. “I know you two dated, and I saw her storm from the castle the other night.”

Jaxon's face twisted into anger and confusion. “What? No, it’s not that. It's just… what it is.”

“I don't accept that,” I cried, pushing against his chest with both arms. He seized my wrists, pulling me tightly against his chest. He barred his teeth at me, and his eyes flashed with a sadness I didn’t understand.

“I am a criminal, Zara, and you are…you just… can't be mine,” he declared, his voice bitter. “Stop making this harder than it has to be.”

His golden eyes bore into mine, and our mouths were now only inches apart. My lips parted, andmy breath came out ragged as his eyes darted down to them.

For a moment, I thought he had moved closerand was going to close the remaining distance, but instead, he released my wrists and took a step backward.

A sharp pain pierced my heart as he did, and tears formed in my eyes as I stared at him. “You were supposed to be my friend,” I whispered, my voice trembling with betrayal.

“I am your friend,” Jaxon insisted, his tone softening. He tried to take a step closer, but I could no longer bear to look at him. I shook my head, turning away from him as I started to run back toward the camp.

“Zara,” Jaxon called out after me, and I could hear him following after me.

“No.” I choked, turning to face him again. “Don’t follow me,” I said, my voice cracking as tears ran down my cheeks. “Just don’t.”

Before he could reply, I turned and started to run away again.

I was almost halfway back to the camp, my eyes blurry, when I stumbled forward. I crashed into a broad, sturdy chest—the scent of citrus and cedar enveloping me.

“It’s just me.” Xavier's low, soothing, gruff voice sounded, sending a shiver down my spine.

Stark relief washed over me at his presence, and his muscular arms encircled me, drawing me close to his chest as I clung onto his shirt, which he thankfully had back on. My tears soaked into the fabric, and with gentle strength, he lifted me off the ground.

I didn’t resist, letting him carry me in his arms.

I could hear the faint sounds of twigs snapping and leaves rustling as Xavier carried me through the wooded path.

Tears spilled freely down my cheeks, hot and unyielding, as if every emotion I’d bottled up demanded release all at once. My fingers clung to Xavier’s shirt, gripping it like a lifeline, the fabric bunched tightly in my trembling hands. My body shook with the force of my emotions, each sob tearing through me like a storm I couldn’t control as I buried my face against his chest.

Xavier said nothing, his movements steady and unwavering as he carried me deeper into the woods. Eventually, he stopped, and I lifted my head, realizing he hadn’t taken me back to the camp.

I took in our new surroundings through blurry eyes and wiped at my face to get a better view. We were now on a plateau of a cliff, its edges jagged against the now-night sky. The sun was no longer setting on the horizon and was instead replaced by a shimmering full moon.

How long had we been walking for?

Its light illuminated the clearing he had brought me to, and moss-covered rocks spread out underneath us. Below the cliff, the darkness seemed to stretch on endlessly. The depths of the ravine were hidden, leaving only the distant murmur of the wind as it whispered through the trees far below.

Stars glittered like diamonds against the velvety blackness, and I found myself speechless as I took it all in. Xavier smiled softly at my reaction, and a cool breeze swept through the clearing. He lowered us onto a large boulder, releasing me from his embrace but keeping me close by his side. His arm remained wrapped around me while my legs draped over his. The touch of his hand on my knee felt intimate, and my skin prickled in response.

“My brother isn’t the best at words.” Xavier's voice was barely above a whisper. “He was only three when our parents died, and he didn’t quite understand.” Looking down at me, his white strand fell over his eyes. Xavier continued, looking back up at the night sky, “He felt abandoned, so he learned to push everyone away, even me.” His words hung heavy in the air. “He still pushes people away,” Xavier whispered. “Don't give up on him just yet, Zara. My brother is a good man, even if he acts like a jerk sometimes.”

“I just want to understand,” I whispered back.

“You will,” Xavier soothed, pulling me closer to him.

We sat watching the moon rise on the cliff, neither of us moving as the cool breeze washed over us.

“Do you believe in fate, Zara?” Xavier asked, his tone soft and quiet.

“Like destiny?” My brows scrunched in thought.

“Kind of.” Xavier chuckled softly, and I waited for him to continue. He seemed to sense I was waiting and sighed. “I'm not sure what god your people worship, but in our realm, we worship the Gods of Fate. They are believed to have created us, this realm, and all others. He paused. “That our lives are already written, predetermined before we are even born. Everything planned out, already known.”

I couldn’t stop the snort that escaped, and he glanced down at me, one eyebrow raised. “Sorry,” I muttered, shrugging. “It’s just… I don’t like the idea that everything is set in stone. I prefer to believe that we have a say in how things turn out.

“I want to believe that,” he said, looking back out over the cliff, his eyes clouded in thought.

I paused thoughtfully, trying to form my next thought. “I think our life is like a labyrinth.”

“A maze?” He gave a short, amused chuckle, his lips twitching.

I smiled. “Exactly. Every choice we make—left or right—is ours. We decide.”

“Would it matter if, in the end, it all leads to the same place?” he asked, his voice quieter now, thoughtful.

“Maybe,” I said slowly, letting the idea settle between us. “But maybe not. Maybe every choice changes the destination. Fate might lie out the possibilities for us, but who says we have to stick to its path?” I paused, glancing at him. “Maybe you’re meant to walk into the hedge and create your own way out.”

Xavier smiled broadly down at me, chuckling. “I think I found my new religion,” he joked, nudging me. “Maze.”

I snorted, “Well, I think we can find a better name for it than that.”

“Nope. Maze.”

We both chuckled, letting our laughter die, and we sat in silence together under the moonlight. Staying in that moment just a little longer.