Page 11 of Broken Lands

When James went missing and none of them would help me, I was even more inclined to distance myself from them. Probably a stupid move given I was now on my way to integrate into their community, told that I was possibly one of them, but it was too late for would haves and regrets. I’d wing it.

It’d be fine. Right?

We arrived at the carriage as I was mulling over that thought. The coachmen checked the horses were harnessed in correctly, as two of the guards circled around the back to take their exterior seats. Glancing around the clearing, I saw it was littered with bodies. A shudder ran down my spine at the sight; I’d never seen so much death. It was unsettling. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on edge, like someone was watching us.

Instinctively, I whipped my head around, trailing my eyes along the tree line. Almost in slow motion, a shadowy figure emerged, an arrow notched in his bow. The figure stood tall and steady, taking aim. I shouted a warning at the same time as Stefan did, though not before the figure released his arrow, turning and disappearing into the woods as it sailed through the air.

General Brand leapt into action immediately, his long legs crossing the clearing at great speed, and he too disappeared into the trees. In the same moment, Stefan pulled me to the ground, covering my body with his.

Only a yell for help allowed me to wiggle out from under him as we both rose to the call.

I was not prepared for what we found behind the carriage. Of everything I had seen tonight, the magic I had witnessed, I just could not wrap my mind around it.

One of the guards was on his knees, hands pressed flat to the dirt, kneeling before what could only be described as an explosion of life.

A patch of long grass had risen out of the dead forest floor. It was a vibrant, healthy green with wildflowers scattered here and there. Such a stark contrast to the lifeless forest around us that I thought I might be hallucinating. Shaking my head to clear it, I wondered if I was still injured. But it was still there.

What the fuck?

Sticking out of the middle of the tiny oasis, the arrow caught my eye. There was something attached to it. I reached over and pulled it out of the earth. It was a note, folded neatly in half. Opening it, I read aloud, instantly regretting it as the words fell from my lips.

We will not stop.

We will do what the Fae have not.

We will save the Earth.

Choose the winning side, Riley. Or we’ll choose for you.

The Resistance

A wave of panic tore through my body, my blood turning to ice in my veins as I sunk to my knees, dropping the note. It fluttered to the ground, and I watched as it landed in the center of the life before me. It took me a beat to realize Stefan was also on his knees, his head bent forward, the surviving guard falling into a similar pose. Stefan reached over, giving my shaking hand a reassuring squeeze.

“When we die, our body and energy return to the land we stand on. In a land as depleted as this, that energy causes a recognizable change, like you see before us. Let us show Henry our respects.” His silver eyes locked with mine, shadows and pain dancing in them before he let go of my hand and lowered his forehead to the ground.

Henry. It was harder, knowing his name. The shot he’d taken had caused instant death. From what Stefan just said, it was Henry’s energy that created this patch of life we were kneeling before.

I briefly notice the rest of our party gathering around, falling into the same pose. This must be how the Fae show their respect to the fallen. Copying, I lowered my palms to the ground and rested my forehead on the ground.

Only a few hours into my time with the Fae and already a life had been lost. I didn’t understand the depths of what was happening, and I had about a thousand questions that needed answering. But for now, I prayed that this was not how my new life would continue.

Chapter seven

Riley

Westayedlikethatfor what felt like hours but couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. Exhaustion was settling in my body, my limbs heavy and sluggish, but I forced myself to rise with the others as General Brand returned to the clearing.

The General’s shoulders were hunched forward, his gaze glassy and unfocused as he stared at the site of Henry’s demise. There was no other word for it. He looked defeated. Silent for a moment, he knelt down and began his own prayers for our fallen companion.

As he rose, he seemed to pull himself together, shoulders straightening as he stood to his full height, his eyes bright and alert, a serious expression firmly in place. He crossed his arms in front of him, and I watched as his shirt strained across his muscles, the buttons seemingly about to pop at any moment. Not that I’d complain. An image of him shirtless flashed through my mind, and I swallowed hard, shaking my head to clear my treacherous thoughts.

Not the time, Riley.

The General shook his head as he turned to address us. “The last attacker got away. He disappeared up into the canopy of the dead forest. We should go before they have time to regroup. We need to get the fuck out of this forest.” He spun and marched back to the carriage, the set of his broad shoulders all business and leaving no room for debate.

Stefan wrapped his arm around my waist again, and I leant into the warmth of him, letting it comfort me as we followed silently, climbing in after Professor Darmon. General Brand had taken the guards’ empty space on the exterior seating, leaving just the three of us inside the carriage. The silence was heavy, the weight of what had just happened settling over all of us.

I rested my head against Stefan’s shoulder with an easy familiarity as the carriage lurched forward. It shouldn’t be so easy to trust him, to find comfort in his presence, but it was.

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