Page 110 of The Bond That Burns

He nodded tightly. “There are still some carriages left.”

We didn’t ask first. Just strode towards a free one, Florence, Jia, and Aenia alongside us. Blake instructed the terrified-looking driver while I helped Florence and her mother inside.

“Is there room for us?”

I looked over to see Visha and Theo.

“Of course.” It was Blake who answered before I could even form the words. “I tethered my horse nearby. I’ll ride back with Aenia.” He looked at me. “I’ll follow alongside.”

I nodded, suddenly too exhausted to do anything else.

The inside of the carriage smelled like leather and lavender. The lavender was probably Florence. Her mother had no doubt drenched them both in calming herbs and scents. It was sweet, but also incredibly sad. I stared at my friend as she sat down beside Jia, across from Theo, Visha, and I. Her eyes closed as she rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.

The carriage was bumpy as we traveled the uneven road back towards the bridge leading to Bloodwing, the only sounds the creak of the wheels and the occasional soft sniffle from Florence.

Theo was quiet, staring out the window. Visha’s hands strummed on her lap as if she couldn’t sit still.

Outside, I glimpsed Blake riding alongside the carriage on a black steed. Aenia sat in front of him, her small frame nestled in his arms.

I was just beginning to relax and think about closing my eyes, when a sharp crack split the air, followed by the terrified whinny of horses.

The carriage lurched violently as horses screamed. Florence and her mother cried out as the carriage skidded to a sudden halt, then rocked back and forth, nearly tipping over.

“What’s happening?” Florence exclaimed, clutching her mother tightly.

Jia Shen’s hands trembled as she clasped her daughter. “Stay calm,” she whispered, but her eyes were on me.

I was already leaning over Theo but before I could open the door, it swung open, and Blake’s face appeared. “Theo! Get Aenia inside the carriage. Now!”

Theo didn’t have to be asked twice. He grabbed the little girl and pulled her onto his lap.

Visha was scrambling over us. She shoved past Blake without a word, her hand already on the sheath of the rapier she wore on her hip.

“Stay put,” Blake growled at me, seeing the direction I was looking. “Stay inside the carriage.”

I ignored him. “I’m armed and I’m coming. Don’t try to stop me,” I said, barreling over Aenia and Theo and moving to follow Visha.

I pulled my dagger from my boot as I stepped out.

“Medra,” Theo called from behind me, sounding anxious and frightened. “Maybe you’d better do what he says.”

I turned back towards him. “Stay here and keep them safe.”

Then I slammed the carriage door in his face and looked around.

The horses that had been pulling the carriage lay crumpled in the road, arrows protruding from their bodies.

The driver was hunched in his seat. Dead as well.

A group of figures on horseback surrounded us, their faces obscured by black masks. I spotted at least two of them holding crossbows, while the others brandished swords.

“I told you to stay in the carriage,” Blake hissed furiously as I moved to stand beside him.

“No chance. We’re outnumbered. You really think you and Visha can take them? Especially if they’re highbloods?”

“Theyarefucking highbloods. Which is exactly why you should have stayed in the carriage,” he snapped, his voice low but furious. “We don’t need you out here.”

I tightened my grip on my dagger, feeling my mother’s power reach out to me, ground me. She was alert and ready for blood. “Two against five? I think you need me.”

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