Page 24 of The Bones of the Cursed
Alanis perks up at that information. “Did you see them with soldiers of the crown?”
Sarya looks at Novus, who nods and says, “The beginning of the week, I believe. There was a group of ghouls heading towards us, so we hid in the trees. There were four ghouls, and each had a soldier chained with iron shackles.”
Four, when there should have been six.
Alanis pales. “Are you sure there were only four?”
The female nods. “They were headed in the direction of Bone Valley, so there could have been others we didn’t cross paths with, but we only saw four.”
I find it odd they were chained in iron, seeing as the soldiers who went missing were human. I whisper to Siveral, “Are any of the missing soldiers Fae?”
Siveral shakes his head. “Not that I’m aware of. The Fae on that patrol group all came home.”
“If it’s all connected like you assume, what did they find onthat scroll?”
He looks at me with an unspoken question in his eyes. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”
“I’m not sure either honestly. Something just seems off. Elion and his scroll going missing at the same time…”
Alanis whips her head to me with a questioning stare.
That nagging sensation is back. My mind races. This began escalating a year ago, right when the refugees began to arrive. What if this is all tied to the refugees, someone angry at the crown for taking in outsiders? Or worse, what if it’s somehow tied to Alanis and whatever sensation she had to make her stay here?
I look to Alanis. “What made you depart when the ship docked in the Primal Realm? Why didn’t you stay on and keep going to another land?”
11
- ALANIS -
THE FATES
Istare at the group in bewilderment. Why does this matter?
“I’m not really sure. We had been to two other realms before we came upon this one. One was an absolute no. It was desolate and gave us both a really bad feeling. The other one was nice, though. Elion wanted to depart there.”
My chest grows tight, as if a heavy weight sits on it. Maybe if I had listened, he wouldn’t be missing right now.
I scrunch my nose before continuing. “It didn’t feel right. I walked towards the gangplank at one point and felt this…tug. My mind was begging me not to get off the ship. It caused a sharp headache until I backed away. When we got to the Primal Realm, the tether felt as if it moved off the ship. I thought it was a sign that we had finally found where we were supposed to be.”
Looking up, I meet Kailu’s stare. He is looking at me so intently that I can’t help but blush and avert my gaze.
It’s Novus who breaks the tension. “That sounds like fate intervened to me.”
Sarya gives me a small smile. “Yes, it does sound as if the Fates wanted you here, Alanis.”
“The Fates? Like the triplets who are even more powerfulthan the Gods? I thought they were merely a legend.”
Novus shakes his head. “I suppose it depends on your beliefs. In this realm, we all pretty much believe in them. If the Fates did want you here, I suppose you’ll have to figure out why.” When he meets my eyes, it sends a shiver up my spine. “The Fates don’t always intervene with good intentions. I think it’s important that you all be wary and diligent. Any signs or weird occurrences may be tied to why she felt inclined to stay here.”
Kailu pales, as if that was his worst fear confirmed.
“What did you mean when you said Elion might have stumbled upon knowledge?” I stare down Kailu and refuse to give an inch until I get some damn answers.
“Your brother was doing research about why you felt a pull towards this realm and what it might mean. He found a scroll that had information, from what Siveral says, but it went missing when he did.”
My eyes widen in shock. I didn’t realize Elion was so concerned about what brought us here. He never talked about it, nor did he tell me he was looking into it. I work in a library; I could have helped. Why didn’t he tell me? Or Levi? Why did they choose to hide this when it involved me?
Kailu’s deep voice breaks through my thoughts. “I think there’s a possibility that your fate was long ago intertwined with something in this realm.”
