Page 30 of Blood Red Woes

Rune is quiet for a moment. “No, there must be a way. The empresses would know, though I doubt any of them would help you, even if they were still alive and sane.” He references the state of Laconia, how they haven’t been seen outside their castles in years.

They locked him away in a crystal—soul gem—because he had power. Odds are if they’re still alive, they won’t like me one bit. I’d have to hide the fact that Rune is a part of me if I ever meet them. Here’s hoping I don’t have to. With any luck Frederick’s dad’s things will be at Catarin Tower so I won’t have to go on to Acadia castle.

“You must’ve done something pretty bad for them to lock you up,” I whisper as I roll to my side. The pillow I’m using smells dusty, but I ignore it and focus on the glittery tattoo.

“I told you before. I dared to question them, and I had my power to back me up. They took affront and locked me in that soul gem for what they hoped would be an eternity. I don’t know how I got to your world, and I don’t know how long it took for you to find me, but it sounds as though the empresses who did this to me are either dead or mad. In the end, they surely got what they deserved.”

“And if they’re dead, what does that mean for you?” I might be able to go back to my world, but Rune… Rune might be stuck like this.

The yellowish white color on the tattoo glows as he tells me, “I suppose that means you and I are going to be bonded for a long time.” He doesn’t sound thrilled, but neither am I, if I’m honest.

Sure, it’s nice not to be alone, but it’s sort of like I’m talking to myself here.

“I know it sucks for you, but I’m kind of happy you’re bonded to me right now,” I say. “If you weren’t, I would’ve been dead a long time ago. Call me selfish, but I’m glad you’re stuck with me.”

It’s a while before he mutters, “Perhaps you are not as insufferable as I initially thought.” A compliment, but a mean one. If that isn’t descriptive of Rune in general, I don’t know what is.

“Awe,” I deadpan, “you’re so sweet. Say it again.”

“I take it back,” he growls, his haughty, proper accent giving way to something else.

“Too late. You can’t take it back. I’m not as insufferable as you thought. That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me. I’m going to remember that compliment until the day I die—which might be sooner rather than later, but still. You’re so sweet, Rune.”

He groans. “I truly do loathe you.”

I laugh, because he’s ridiculous. “Oh, don’t be like that. You and I make a great team. Rey and Rune. Rune and Rey. Might not be your real name, but they fit so well together, don’t they? It just sounds right.”

“It sounds like you’re talking simply to hear yourself speak,” he mocks me.

“You enjoy our conversations. Don’t deny it.”

“I will. I will deny it wholeheartedly.” He shoots back, “I believe you simply take far too much enjoyment out of antagonizing me.” When I feign a gasp, he goes on, “You are aware I am bonded to you, therefore I am a slave to any conversation you might wish to have, whether I want to join in or not.”

Under my breath, I mutter, “You are so mean. I can totally see why the empresses wanted to lock you away. Maybe I should shake their hands and thank them if I ever meet them—”

“You are hopeless.”

“No, I’m not. I’m the opposite, and sadly for you, you’re along for the ride.” I close my eyes and sigh, content where I am even though it’s dusty. Nothing like bickering with Rune to get me ready for bed. “Goodnight, Rune. Don’t daydream too much while I’m asleep.”

The sigh he sighs is the sigh-iest of sighs I’ve ever heard. Is that a thing? If not, it should be. “If only,” he murmurs. “Sleep well, Rey.”

I dream of blackness. A black void, so thick and choking that I’m actually grateful to wake up the next morning. I yawn and stretch before getting up, and then I swing my legs off the bed and stand.

“You certainly love your sleep, don’t you?” Rune asks. “How you can sleep past the sunrise is beyond me.” He’s right; thick sunlight streams in through the open window, telling me sunrise was quite a few hours ago.

“That’s my secret,” I say with another yawn. “I’m always tired.”

“How can youalwaysbe tired?”

“If you lived in the same world I did, you’d understand. Unless you’re like five years old, with no responsibilities or worries, you’re constantly exhausted.”

I grab my bag off the floor and toss it onto the bed. I pull out some of the meat and eat it for breakfast. After finish, I relieve myself and am ready to go shortly, my next stop Catarin Tower. I might not have had any luck in Vermyr, but that doesn’t stop me from hoping the tower will contain the research I’m looking for.

As I leave Vermyr and head back to the river—I’m going to surf my way there and hopefully reach it before nightfall, saving me days’ worth of walking—I ask Rune, “Do you know anything about Catarin Tower? Frederick said—”

“Yes, I’m well aware of whatFredericksaid.” The way Rune says the man’s name, it’s clear he still holds some resentment toward him. A sore thumb of his, so to speak. “The towers were originally built in the first era, when strangers from a foreign land made contact with Laconian soldiers. They won the war due to their empresses and their magics. They now call it the First Contact War. Until that point in history, Laconians thought they were alone in the world, that there were no other kingdoms across the seas.”

“And they never tried sailing?”

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