Page 148 of Bound By Darkness

“Head that way,” I said as I pointed them in the direction of the underground passage.

“Thank you. Blessed be the Mother,” an elderly woman said before her and her husband hobbled off in the direction I’d pointed.

Standing in the empty street, my eyes swiveled upward as I watched the sporadic colors appear. The ward was still holding, but how much longer could Iyanna keep it intact?

Heading back to the spot we’d parted, I double checked the tents. The last thing I needed on my conscience was another death.

“There you are!” a voice cried. Large arms swept me into a hug.

Shoving my face back a few stones, I opened my mouth to yell, but stopped as Fin’s wide grin popped into view.

“I was looking for you everywhere,” he exclaimed, his hands gripping my shoulders tightly. “You alright?”

“I’m fine,” I squeaked against him as I pried my frame from his grasp. “I thought you were someone else!”

Fin glanced to the sky. “Sorry.”

The ward flickered again.

“Besides, I thought you were with Kaydn and Naexi. Did she not find you?”

He shook his head. “Naexi did, but she’s searching for him right—Wait did you say Kaydn?” His head swiveled to mine.

“Yeah. He told me,” I answered flatly.

Fin’s eyes softened. “I should have told you?—”

“It’s okay. I know he said something to keep you quiet. I’m not mad at you.”

Fin let out a breath. “Oh gods, good. I don’t think I could handle your wrath.”

A chuckle bubbled from my chest. “I don’t think you could either, but we can talk about it later.” I pointed up the main street. “We need to make sure everyone is gone from the camp before the ward completely falls. I haven’t checked this side yet.”

“Already did,” he answered. “The rest of the tents are empty down this road. Everyone should be at the passage, including us.”

“I’m not going. Iyanna needs me in her tent.”

Fin paused. “Don’t be stupid. Going to her tent would put you at risk if the rebels storm in.”

“If I leave, she’ll call on the blood oath,” I said. “And… and I refuse to put all those people in that passage at a disadvantage. I don’t want them to die like the citizens of Laias if they hide me.”

Fin stared at me for a few seconds before shaking his head. “Okay, fine, but do you need?—”

By the time he’d agreed, I’d already pulled the dagger from my side, the hilt comforting in my hand as I jerked my head toward the outskirts of town. “Let’s go.”

Fin grinned, his hand reaching at his thigh as he revealed a slightly larger dagger than mine, the tip of the blade slightly curled to rip and cause damage internally.

It was a nasty blade and the first time I’d seen the previous warrior in action.

“First thing we need to do is find Kaydn. Without him we won’t win.”

Despite my hatred for him right now, Fin was right. Without him, the Hideaway wouldn’t have a chance.

“Do you have any ideas where he could be?” I asked Fin as I searched up and down the empty streets, the tents eerie without a single soul nearby.

“No. I checked the training grounds, our tent, and Iyanna’s, but there is no sign of him anywhere.”

“He couldn’t have vanished.” It wasn’t like him to cower from a fight, especially for these people. “Maybe he?—”

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