Page 49 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

Chapter 18

Deadly Path

He abandoned me here. He used me as a distraction for the knights, while he found himself shelter.

The steps behind me grew terrifyingly close, shortening the distance between us.

I fought through the terror inside of my stomach, jerking the door open. The sound of banging metal occupied the cemetery.

Francis deftly dodged all of the blades that flew his way, cutting the throats of two knights that blocked our path in a single move. The smell of crimson reached my nostrils, my head spun in anticipation.

“Let's go!” He caught my arm, his face covered in blood. “Before we have to kill anyone else.”

The night was oddly quiet, but it did not last long.

My lungs were on fire, yet I refused myself the luxury of stopping.

Heavy steps pounded against the ground; my head flew in their direction.

Five—no, six—guards followed after us. They all wore their Royal attires: armed from head to toe.

“They are following us!” I yelled, facing Francis.

A whistle broke through the air when dozens of arrows flew past us, barely missing our flesh.

“Don’t look back!” Francis screamed at me. “Go!”

Our followers were blinded by the darkness and the distance. Only pure luck would allow our enemies to achieve their goal.

Adrenaline filled my veins, forcing my legs to move faster. The world had gone silent: only the sounds of my heavy breathing and my heartbeat broke through.

“Do not go to the cabin!” Francis yelled as he pushed me onto Annabelle before mounting his own horse.

“Why?” I screamed back, yet my voice got lost in the loud sea of galloping.

The arrows did not stop, flying past us, making my heart jump out of my rib cage with each blow.

“Fuck!” Francis howled.

I turned to look for the reason for his distress when my eyes fell onto his right leg. The arrow shone bright under the moonlight; drops of crimson fell down onto the road.

“Do not look back!” he caught my worried gaze.

“Your leg!” I bellowed.

More arrows flew towards us. The calm trees of the forest were laughing at the absurdity of our situation. It seemed even the winter had decided to injure us with its glory, letting the first snowflakes fall down on our faces.

Everything slowed. A loud neigh echoed through the forest. Francis’riderlessstallion passed me with mad speed, sending a powerful wave of air in our direction. My hands squeezed the reins tightly, keeping control over Annabelle when she tried to follow up with the terrified horse.

The arrow in Francis’ stallion shone bright from its ribs when it hid behind the tree line.

“Francis!” I shrieked, searching for him.

A faint groan came in reply about a hundred yards behind me.

Every cell in my body stilled, my mind became vacant when I turned Annabelle back towards Francis: back towards the guards.

Arrows flew in a powerful rain. The wind rushed Annabelle faster.