Page 35 of Blood On His Lips

My unease stirred. The Dark Fae had retreated to their mountains thousands of years ago, and besides, none of them had ever crossed realms.

I wouldn’t tell my guard that, though. “I don't know what it is, but chances are it bleeds. Nowgo.”

He nodded once, re-sheathed his blades and ran, doubling back to take a different route to the house. I didn't bother signaling to our posted rooftop scouts either, for the same reason. In fact, I’d just sent my guard on a goose chase, because even if he returned with backup, the same problem applied.

The enemy approached from a plane only I could see, the same plane where my and Renaud’s avatars walked.

Aerinne.Darkan’s voice in my head, harsh and urgent, concern beating at me.Retreatnow.

We were in agreement.Do you know anything about that?

Yes. Run.

Running was not beneath me.

I whirled and took off, sprinting fast on the balls of my feet, my steps light and the sudden heavy breeze buffeting my hair behind me. Running was the first defensive skill the commander had trained me in. All of us. Fae learned how to run at full pace for long distances before they learned how to pick up a blade.

I skidded around a corner, mapping the District in my mind as I decided where to hide. A defunct safe house would do. I didn't want to lead the armored giant to any of my people.

But as I sprinted down the next block, the armored shadow appeared in front of me. It was too close, and I was going too fast to stop. Using my own momentum, I leaped, twisting my body and pushing my feet off the stone of a townhouse, vaulting over the giant’s head.

Why didn’t it use its broadsword? With the length of its arms, its reach was enough to skewer me midair, but I landed lightly on my feet and pushed off again.

I ran, found tiny dark hiding spots to rest in, leading it further from my District and increasing my rest periods. Instinct told me my best chance was to stay on the move, try to stay hidden, and wait until dawn.

It intercepted me three more times before I realized that however it was manipulating time and space on the avatar’s plane, running was doing nothing but draining my energy. It was herding me, running me into the ground.

We faced each other in a small square park, one of the scattered half-block grassy lawns with benches and small fountains constructed within the District for the leisure of its citizens.

We were in Labornne, the border to Montague only blocks away. Once again wherever the giant walked, the lamps shuttered. The wind whipped, scorched flowers and smoke in the air, and the giant sheathed its sword. A length of black rope appeared, strung between its gloved hands, and it stepped forward. So its orders were to capture but not kill.

I retreated.“What do you want?”

It didn't respond, of course. We continued our little dance, the giant advancing, me retreating.

Donotlet it tether you,Darkan said, his voice an abrupt snarl of hatred.

I was too busy with my footwork to respond appropriately to that obvious statement. Besides, that was just Darkan sometimes, speaking to me like I was a girl and not a grown female. Whatever this giant was, it was no Everennesse. Was it even alive?

Who wanted me captured, and why?

Normally I enjoyed a good mystery like any other Fae, but I preferred a few degrees of separation between me and said conundrums.

Run,Darkan ordered again.

Running. Isn’t.Working.

Aid is coming. Buy yourself a few more minutes.

From what direction?

The palace. Get to the boulevard.

I didn't question. Not what aid was coming, or how he knew. Like any well-trained soldier, I was conditioned to obey.

I fled again, using as circuitous a route as possible. However the giant was tracking me, there did seem to be a few seconds of delay between when I paused and when it appeared.

When my feet touched the white stones of the boulevard, I heard a high-pitched whine in the wind, the hairs on the back of my neck rising in instinctual horror. I didn't stumble, didn't turn back, breaths harsh in my lungs and fatigue beginning to slow my muscles, but I had to stay moving.

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