Page 4 of Lich's Mate

“But you’ve got so much life in you, and you’re so brave,” I whisper, tilting his chin up so he’s looking at me. “So please be the brave boy I know you are, okay?”

He struggles, not sure what to say.

“Now, go!”

I all but shove my little brother back towards the fields. If he continues southeast, he might be able to find the other human villages nearby.

The screams around me are overwhelming.

They’re killing the men, but plucking the women from their dwellings. There are a few dead bodies littering the dirt paths that connect our homes to one another.

I try to rush forward through the wreckage, stepping over flaming debris.

I need to get home and find my parents.

Just as I see my home in the distance, I see two xaphans standing near my front door. They’re talking to one another, gesturing towards my home.

And I realize why they’re there. Smoke billows from out of the building.

If my parents were there, I’m too late.

One of them catches my eye, giving me a wicked grin.

Not today.

The adrenaline makes my legs start moving before my mind has a chance to catch up.

My mind is screaming at me, telling me to go back and fight.

I curse myself as I run away, not sure if they’re following me.

I start running for the outskirts of the village, towards the heavy trees and foliage that encapsulate the forest nearby.

Maybe if I’m fast enough, I’ll be able to lose them in the bushes. The xaphans are huge and imposing, but I’m small enough to mask myself.

But they’re fast. I can hear their wingbeats causing gusts.

My legs ache and burn.

My lungs work tirelessly to provide me with enough air.

Still, one of the xaphans lunges into my back, launching me into the ground.

I can’t see anything except the dirt in my face.

“Stupid little bitch,” the xaphan spits, pinning his knee against my back. “Did you really think you could outrun us? Huh?”

“Don’t damage the property, Yarne.”

“What? She tried to escape!”

I squirm but feel the pain in my back intensify.

“Yeah, and we caught her. She’ll make a nice profit when she’s sold in the auction house.”

“Let go of me!” I yell, thrashing against their hold.

I feel searing pain and a dull muscle ache as one of them binds my wrists together.

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