Page 37 of Blood and War
Jace looked like a fish out of water, opening his mouth and closing it as he tried to find the right words to say. Finally settling, he replied. “What do you mean?”
“She ran to ensure no harm came to your home.” Kellan took a step forward toward the Guardians who retreated a foot back at his advance. Jace held his ground, his fingers clutched tight around the sword in his hand. “Let me out.”
“What, so you can hunt her down and kill her?” Aside from the girl, he may have been the only human to ever outright challenge him. Most had stared at him as if they’d intended to, but only this one had held his stance, refusing to back down. Kellan knew he cared for her. Probably a lot more than he was letting on.
“I don’t plan on killing her!” Kellan’s temper was flaring, voice coming out louder than he’d intended as he advanced another step. “Not anymore.”
“She knew you were going to kill her, and she still saved you.” Kellan watched the realization spread across his face as the man’s eyes widened, his mouth hung slightly ajar before schooling his features into something harder. Could see the hatred in Jace’s eyes at the thought of it.
“Yes. Now move aside so I can leave.” He could get by them all if he’d really wanted to. Even the lot of them couldn’t hold him back. But he had given his word that he wouldn’t harm them, and throughout his life had always made damn sure to never go back on it. Even if he so desperately wanted to. “Let me out before someone else does the job that I was supposed to.”
Jace barked orders without a second thought. The redheaded Guardian scrambled toward the large sturdy gate, motioning toward another to help push it open, and within moments, it was groaning open just enough for Kellan to squeeze through.
“Bring her home.” Jace said.
Kellan couldn’t do that, and he was sure the man already knew that.
“Just… promise me you’ll keep her safe. Please.”
His mount stood just outside of the gate, pawing the ground as he neared. He didn’t turn back toward Jace as he left.
That was a promise he couldn’t make either.
Twenty-Two
DEMITRIA
Four days.
Demitria had been on her own for four days with no idea if she was heading in the right direction. She just rode. She wanted answers no matter what, but was quickly reaching a point that the only thing she cared about was putting distance between her and Solis.
Glancing up at the bright blue skyline above, she guessed it must have been near noon. The sun was high in the afternoon sky as it beat down on her and Atlas. The day had grown hot, muggy, and she could feel as Atlas began to slow beneath her. They’d been pushing so hard with little to no water. She knew he’d need to rest soon if they were to continue the journey to the angels.
“Whoa boy, let’s rest for a little while.” His hooves dragged along the dirt before slowing to a stop, letting out a huff as he did so. Demitria swung her legs from the stirrups as she dismounted, loosening the girth around his stomach to give him a bit more room to breathe. Gathering the reins in her hands, she led him on foot for some time. Despite the current heat, they’d been rained on the night before. There had to be a source of water somewhere, a puddle from the rain that hadn’t evaporatedyet. Demitria shook the flask at her hip, letting out a sigh as it rattled. Already half empty. She’d blown through the water faster than she’d liked. They would need to find a spot to refill if they were to continue any further.
They walked for another ten minutes across the barren land with watchful eyes, scanning for anything before spotting the shimmer along the surface of the shallow puddle several feet away. Demitria quickened her pace, Atlas trotting alongside her. Closing the remaining distance, the water was murky with dirt and gods knew what else. Perfect for Atlas, but her flask would have to wait. He gratefully lowered his head and drank, the cool water soothing his overheated body. He stayed head down for minutes, drinking his fill as if he knew they probably wouldn’t find more for some time. Once he was done, they resumed their journey. Continuing on foot for the next little while, pace slower than before. The break had been nice for them both, and it felt good to stretch out the aching muscles in her legs.
Alone. She was completely alone.
The thought hit her, weighing heavy on her chest. She had struggled most days back at the community. They may have had more food than most, but you were never properly fed. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d truly had a proper meal, and it had grown harder and harder to stay hydrated. Living was hard enough, but they’d always had each other to help weather whatever storm came their way. Now? Demitria didn’t know what the hell she had been thinking. Finding food was a near impossible task. She couldn’t grow anything. Didn’t have the time, as staying in one place long enough to grow something wasn’t an option. She could try to hunt like she had with Kellan, but it was clearly obvious she was no good at it. Out there, beyond the wall alone, was a death sentence. She couldn’t protect herself from all the creatures that lurked, not at the ratethey’d been attacking the other communities. Not that many at once.
She should have left with Kellan.
Demitria ran a hand down her face as she groaned. What had she been thinking, leaving like she had. She wasn’t prepared to be out like this. Sure, she’d survived beyond a community before, but never alone. Jace had always been beside her every step of the way. Now? She didn’t know the first thing about survival on her own.
Her destination was unknown. Where had she truly planned to go? They had never been able to find the angels exact location, only the areas they tended to frequent. What if she couldn’t even find it? So far, she’d really only managed to get as far away from Solis as she could. She could see the canyon in the distance and could probably make it by nightfall if she pushed, but it would more than likely be later than that. To preserve whatever strength she could, and let Atlas recover from their grueling pace of the last four days.
She should have just gone with the Horseman and reunited with his siblings. They probably would have killed her upon first glimpse.Maybe that would have been for the best. Maybe then she wouldn’t have had to worry about her home every waking minute of every gods damned day.
Leaving alone had been stupid.
“I’m an idiot.” She whispered, head hung in defeat. Atlas nudged her back softly, but it did nothing to lift her souring mood.
Demitria lost track of how long they’d been walking, but her feet drug along more and more with each step. They were completely and utterly exhausted. She knew they would need to sleep at some point. Having been on the move since leaving, never stopping for more than a few hours each time, neither she nor Atlas had gotten much rest. She weighed her options. Shewould need to risk sleep no matter what, but the timeline was another story. She could wait it out, sleep when it was dark. Or they could find a nice, hidden spot and nap while the sun was still high, and move again after dark. It was an easy choice. Easier than she’d anticipated.
A sea of rocks was some twenty feet off in the distance. They could rest there for the next several hours. The tall outcropping was semi shaded, and it would be nice for both of them to get out of the heat. She left the saddle on Atlas in case they needed to make a quick getaway, but kept it loosened slightly for his comfort. Hoping she would be able to take the two seconds to tighten should it come down to it.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Demitria’s body lowered to the ground. It was hard and uncomfortable beneath her, but her body welcomed the rest. Stretching her legs out in front of her, she glanced at Atlas who was already dozing a few feet away. Unbuckling the sword at her hip, she sat it down beside her. Within minutes, she followed into a much-needed sleep.
