Page 16 of Hollowed

“Yourmother is a—”

“Donot say it,”Imuttered, reaching around him to pull out the stack of orders. “Shehas ears everywhere.”

Hesighed. “Fine,Iwill not say it.ButIam thinking it.Loudly.”

Ismiled at him, grateful for his support. “Thankyou,Henry.”

“Donot thank me, girl.Isimply do not wish to train a new apprentice again,” he said as he stood from his stool. “Dowe need to discuss getting you out of theHollow?”

Rubbingmy temples,Iexhaled, and a hysterical laugh bubbled out.Hisquestion had broken through the damI’dplaced on my emotions to block out all that had happened yesterday afternoon.

Henrypaused at my outburst. “Whatis it, girl?”

“Mymother specifically chose me as theRoghnaithethis year,”Itold him, the words stabbing my heart and ripping into my soul.Acknowledgingit aloud made it even more real.Ithad been my mother’s choice, and not a random choice given to theCiallmharby the spirits. “AndI…Ican’t…”

Heshook his head and pulled me into his arms.Themoment my face pressed into his chest, the tears began to flow.Iballed my hands into fists, tucking them behind my back asIsobbed in the arms of my mentor.Mymother truly did not love me, and though on some levelI’dknown that was my reality, seeing it result in my death was overwhelming.

“Tellme what happened,Katrina,” he whispered, rubbing my back.

Sniffing,Iclenched my throat and swallowed back the sobs, wiping at my eyes with my smoking hands. “Thereis a prophecy.Itsays unless my mother sacrifices me,Iwill bring death toSleepyHollow.”

“Thatis utter nonsense.”Hisanswer was immediate and firm. “Howconvenient for that to come out now, just as you were getting the confidence to escape from under her thumb.”

Ishrugged, unable to voice any other words.

“Youmust leave,Katrina.Icannot bear to watch you stay and be killed.”Hisvoice cracked, and the sound made my tears begin anew. “Please, you must leave.”

“Icannot,”Iwhispered. “Icannot risk your life,Henry.Youcannot ask that of me.Ihave no family to take my place, and everyone knows who you are to me.Icannot risk them choosing you instead.”

Hecupped my face in his hands. “Andyou cannot ask me to watch you die and knowIcould have prevented it.”

Welooked at each other for a long moment, both of us teary-eyed.

“WhatshouldIdo?”

“DidCiarahave any insight?” he asked, reaching up to wipe away the tear that fell to his cheek.

Isniffed and leaned back, wiping my face with the sleeve of my dress. “Yes, she said she’d heard theCiallmharspeak about another haven in the south, nearSaintAugustine.Sheoffered to get me supplies.”

“Thenthat’s what we shall do,” he said, reaching over the counter and pulling a piece of parchment toward us. “Wewill make a list of what you need, andIwill take it to her.”

Nodding,Iwatched as he scrawled the list.Eachline he wrote caused a new fissure to form in my heart at the thought of leaving him behind, of him possibly facing theHorseman.Forme.JustlikeCiara,Iknew he’d never join me.ButIhad to ask.

“Henry,”Iwhispered, my voice cracking.Icleared my throat as he lifted his head and paused his writing. “Wouldyou come with me?WhenIleave?”

Tearswelled in his eyes, and he shook his head. “No, darling girl.Thisis my home.”

“Why?”Iwiped the tears away again, my throat burning. “Thereis nothing for you here, and no one to help you.Whywon’t you come with me?”

Hegrasped my hand. “Katrina,Iwill be fine.IfIwent with you,Iwould only slow you down.Icannot move as well asIonce could, and this is too important to risk.Youwill go without me.Youwill be fine, andIwill be fine.”

Icouldn’t form the words to reply.Mybody froze as the tingling traveled down my limbs and my head spun.Iwanted to beg him, even if it meant getting on my knees, but ifIlearned one thing about the old mage, it was that no one could easily persuade him to do anything.He’dtaught me to stand my ground, butIcouldn’t ignore his request.Iforced myself to nod.

Henodded back, patting my hand. “Allright then, it’s all settled.Youwill go, andIwill stay here.”

“Youwill write to me?”Ihated the meek sound of my voice, butIhad to know.Icouldn’t lose him.Hewas my only connection to kindness and love.

“Youcould not stop me if you tried,” he said with a smile. “Now, let me finish this list.”

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