Page 40 of Fated to the Damned

The trees are alive today, brushing me encouraging me. They will be on my side tonight, of that I am sure.

By the time the sun sets into a fading twilight, nerves and anticipation are churning sickly in my stomach. But as the sliver of the moons rise high overhead, fiery purpose burns brighter than my doubts.

It’s only when full dark blankets the base does the scout come and find me. He takes one look at me and grunts, “Let’s go, human.”

I hurry after him, hoping it’s the last time I’ll be called that…

And not because I’m dead after tonight.

22

NIKOLAI

“Have you seen Jessa?” My hands are clasped by my back, my wings pinned back, and my face expressionless as I wait for Lev to turn around. My forced apathy doesn’t change the anger roiling through me that I have resorted to asking him where she is.

It gets under my skin that another male would know her more than me.

He turns around me with eyebrows raised. Besides the one time I told him to teach her, I’ve never acknowledged her existence. “Not since yesterday.”

I nod and turn on my heel, no longer interested in talking as panic seizes my gut. The sun is setting, and I haven’t caught a glimpse of her all day.

It didn’t surprise me when she didn’t come to morning sermon. Though that didn’t stop me from unleashing so much pent up frustration on another two vrakken in the training ring.

And she seemed to avoid the courtyard all day, too, which wasn’t shocking either. Though I didn’t see her in the dining hall or around the plants, I assumed she was in her room.

But now that she has missed the evening sermon, too, and no one has seen her, I’m growing paranoid. Last night’s events may have me on edge, especially since she’s never locked herself away just because she’s mad at me.

I stride the halls, growing unease gnawing at me with every room I find empty. Jessa's continued absence after our fight shouldn't drive her into such seclusion.

By the time I reach her vacant room, dread is creeping down my spine like icy tendrils. I'm turning to leave when her roommate Alina enters, stopping short at the sight of me.

"Oh! Hello, Nikolai," she says in surprise. "Are you looking for Jessa too?"

I freeze, pulse spiking at her words. "Too? You can’t find her either?" I demand sharply.

Alina frowns, taken aback by my tone. "No, but it’s not that abnormal. She’s usually in the temple or checking on the crops before I’m even up or after I’m in bed…” Her expression creases. “Though if you’re here, I’m assuming that’s not the case.”

I shake my head sharply. “It’s not.”

Rocking back on her heels, Alina says, “You know, Jade was just telling me that she thinks she saw her this morning. That’s why I wasn’t worried.”

I saw her this morning, too, though I’m not about to tell Alina that. “Where?”

“Around the northside of the base. She said it looked like she was leaving, though. I thought she was just getting water for the plants or something. But if you haven’t seen her…”

My jaw tightens, mind racing wildly. Leaving the base alone? What was she thinking? Fear and frustration wars within me. I shouldn't care what the reckless girl does, and yet...

“When was this?”

"About midmorning, I think." Her voice rises in concern, eyes searching my face. "Nikolai, is everything okay?"

"I'm going to find out," I grit out. I'm already striding for the door, pulse thundering in my ears. I should have known Jessa would do something foolish and dangerous. But if she still hasn’t come back and it’s already dark – especially with the kind of creatures in the wildspont…

I shove down the clawing anxiety as I stalk across the grounds, headed for the shadowy tree line. She couldn't have gone far, I reason. I just need to track her down before trouble does.

Because if anything happens to that stubborn, reckless girl, I'll never forgive myself.

I hurry to the scouts' post, barely restraining myself from a full on sprint through the woods. As soon as they are in earshot, I pin the nearest scout with a piercing glare.

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