Page 67 of Hollowed

“WhereisLiath?”Iasked, my voice strained from the exertion of bearing most of his weight.

“Trees,” he replied, his eyes trained on the woman who’d created him. “Getto the trees.Shewill find us.”

“Canyou run?”Iasked, urging my fire into my left hand and forming another sphere of flames.

Henodded, closing his eyes briefly. “I’llmanage.”

“Beready to run, then.”

Anotherball of flames left my hand, crackling againstDeathonce more and pushing her back into the headstone.Theflames dissipated, leaving soot and ash along her neck and face.

“Now,”Ibreathed out, tugging onAlexanderas we ran into the tree line.

Thesound of laughter followed us into the night.Turningover my shoulder,Deathsat at the headstone, wiping at her smeared lipstick with her thumb.Shesmiled widely. “Run, little phoenix, as fast as you can.”

Herwords sent chills down my spine, like fingernails scraping against my skin.Keepingmy eyes on her form, we finally made it to the trees, disappearing into the forest.OnlywhenIcould no longer see the light of the fire in the cemetery and the glow ofDeath’shair in the moonlight didIturn around, pullingAlexanderwith me as we ran.

Branchestangled in my hair and caught at my dress as we moved through the brush.

“WhereisLiath?”Iasked, panting for breath asIcontinued to lead us in whatIcould only hope was the right direction.

Asif she’d heard us, hooves sounded nearby, and we both turned to seeLiath, her flaming eyes alight as she stopped beside us.

“Alexander, can you get on the horse?”Iasked.Heswayed slightly, his eyes drooping.Reachingup my free hand,Ipatted his cheek roughly, causing his eyes to open once more. “Alexander, you need to get onLiath.Now.”

Bysome miracle,Iwas able to get him astrideLiath.Grittingmy teeth,Islid my foot in the stirrup and pulled myself up, settling in front ofAlexanderand wrapping his arms around my waist as he slumped forward, his weight heavy and warm on my back.

“Liath,”Iwhispered, taking hold of her reins. “Ihope you know the way home.”

Shewhinnied, and then we were off, her eyes lighting the way as she sped into a gallop, winding us through the trees and branches.Myhands tightened around the leather of the reins, butIwas careful not to put any tension to make her thinkIwas trying to direct her.

Ihad a vague idea of where we were, but my heart thundering in my ears and the oily fear swirling in my stomach made it impossible for me to think straight.

Withthe moon high overhead, we burst out of the trees,Liathslowing to a trot and then a careful walk as we entered the clearing aroundAlexander’shouse.Mybreath left in a rush, the overwhelming urge to cry as safety greeted us.

Butwe weren’t safe.

Notyet.

Myluck withLiathhad apparently run out, asIattempted to dismount.Myfoot tangled in my dress, andIfell to the ground, landing on my shoulder with a sharp pop.Grittingmy teeth,Istood, reaching for the reins.Suddenpain flooded through my shoulder and neck, turning my stomach and pulling a shuddering gasp from me.Ibit down on my lower lip to fight the noise escaping, and gingerly,Icradled that arm to my chest.

“Alexander,”Icalled out, patting my good hand against his thigh.He’dsomehow stayed upright during my less than graceful departure, but his eyes had slid shut again and the sway to his body was concerning.

Hiseyes fluttered, and his jaw tightened as he opened them fully. “Where’rewe?”

“Home,”Ireplied, takingLiath’sreins in my good hand and leading her to the stables.

“’Snot safe here,” he said, somehow dismounting fromLiathwhile she was still moving and landing on his feet gracefully. “Needto cast wards.”

“Wards?”Iasked, droppingLiath’sleads.Shetook off on her own into the stables, going into an open stall, where she began happily munching on whatever was in her feed bag.Lettingout a breath,Iturned back toAlexander, just in time to catch him before he fell, tucking my good arm beneath his armpit to keep his face from meeting the earth. “You’retoo weak to use any more magic.Tellme how to do the wards andI’lltry to cast them.”

Themovement jostled my injured left arm, andIbit down on the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming, a burst of copper flooding my tongue.Pantingas the pain dulled,Ispat out the glob of blood onto the ground.

“Hasto be me.Orshe’ll find us,” he muttered.Heraised his hand, and waves of purple smoke left his palm, spreading out and surrounding the clearing on all sides in a hazy dome.Hislips moved as he mouthed words, but they were so quiet and slurred thatIcould not hear him with my deaf ear.

Thedome shimmered before disappearing, the air the same as it had been.

“Done,” he said proudly, smiling at me.Andthen his eyes rolled back and despite me holding him, he fell to the grass.Iwinced as he landed with a thud.Bendingdown quickly,Iplaced my knees beneath his head, barely making it before it lolled against the ground.

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