Page 15 of Hollowed

Iwould not trade one death sentence for another.

Sheshook her head. “Idon’t know,Katrina.Theydidn’t speak of it again.”Herhead tilted. “Wecan assume, though, can’t we?Ifwe need to sacrifice to ensure protection, wouldn’t they need to as well?”

“Perhaps…”

Ifthere was even a chance they did not require sacrifice,Ineeded to take it.

Itdid not surprise me they had ignored her presence and spoken so freely, but now my mind was spinning.HowcouldIget there?Thejourney would be long and arduous, andIwould need many supplies.Adelaide’swords came back to me with a vengeance.Wouldmy magic be stable enough for me to travel?Wasit tied to theHollow?CouldIsuppress it, asIhad my whole life, long enough to get to safety?

“Thatis a very long journey.”

“Ican get you supplies,”Ciaraoffered in a whisper.

Icouldn’t catch the words. “What?”

“Supplies,” she said with the slight raise of her voice. “Ican help you.Ifyou truly are planning to leave.”

“Youwould do that?”Itpained my heart thatIwould leave her behind to face whatever consequences awaited.Ireached out to take her hand once more. “Wouldyou come with me,Ciara?”

Tearswelled up in her eyes.Shesqueezed my hand and smiled, but as someone who had faked smiles her entire life,Icould see right through it. “YouknowIcannot,Katrina.Mymother is not well enough to travel that far, andIwill not leave her behind.PerhapsifTorinwas still here, but not now.Iam all she has left.”

“Ido not wish to leave you here,”Isaid, my throat growing thick with unshed tears. “Areyou certain you want to risk helping me?”

“I’mnot certain about anything,” she admitted.Iopened my mouth to tell herIcould find another way; a way to not involve her, but she held up a hand to stop me. “Iwill help you.Ijust need you to consider something,Katrina.”

Inodded, still holding her other hand.Shebrought the hand she had raised down to hold mine between hers.

“Ifyou leave—”Shetook a deep breath, andIsaw the slight quiver of her bottom lip. “Ifyou leave, who do you think your parents will choose in your place?Youhave no family to take your place, but you have me.YouhaveHenry.Whatwill stop them from simply choosing one of us?Andwhat happens ifAdelaideis right?”

Mystomach curled.Iknew the requirements; they had been my reason behind forcing myself to accept my fate.Iwouldn’t putHenryin that position.Butif my mother found out thatCiarahad helped me…Icould certainly see my mother choosingCiaraas punishment. “Ihad not—”

“Iknow,” she whispered. “Andas much asIlove you,Icannot die for you.”

Mystomach heaved, and bile rose, burning my throat.Ihad to get out of here.Irose from the table, my vision blurry with tears. “Thankyou,Ciara.”

“Comeby tomorrow and we will discuss the supplies you need.”

Icouldn’t bring myself to return the smile, butIsqueezed her hands before walking over to raise the blinds and unlock the door.Hereyes were heavy on my back asIleft, but she said nothing else.

Openingthe door,Istepped back out into the crisp air, inhaling deeply.Thelight was fading into the early evening, a purplish gray creeping in along the horizon.Needingto get home before darkness fully took hold,Iturned down the path leading into the town square.Therows of small buildings rose into the night, greeting me as candles flickered in each of their windows.Passingthrough the main thoroughfare,Ifelt the stares on my back as the townspeople stopped to look at me; to gawk at the one marked for death.Mysteps quickened, wanting nothing more than to be out of the center of attention.Gettingback to the manor was my only focus.

Howironic that the manorIhad so desperately wanted to be free of would now be my solace.

Eight

“Youare late.Again,”Henrysaid asIentered the shop the next morning.Hewas sitting at the counter, his fingers steepled beneath his chin as he struggled to keep a smile from his serious expression. “Youknow, a death sentence does not entitle you to slack off, girl.”

Iscoffed at him, grateful for the humor.Heknew me better thanIknew myself, andIappreciated his attempt to distract me.Ishook my head. “Yourarely come to work on time, old man.”

Hetried to keep the grave look on his face, but the smile broke through quickly as he chuckled and stood from his stool. “Yes, yes.Iknow.”

“Andtea was a terrible suggestion.”Iwalked around the counter and pulled my apron on, tying it behind my back.Thesharp pinching against my waist was a welcome distraction from the ache in my heart.

AllIcould hear was the echo ofCiara’sfinal words, that either she orHenrywould have to take my place.

Heraised a bushy eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Allit got me was a lecture, and then a strike across the face this morning when my mother discovered it.”

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