Page 16 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“Thea, thanks for coming in.” My father’s booming voice startled me. “I know you’ve been gone for quite some time, so if you would like a few days to rest, I understand. However, Crimson is planning on declaring war in the coming days, and I would like you to lead the army so that you can break your curse.”

Seriously? I’ve been back for less than a day. I stared at my father, who looked like he was trying to keep his composure. Something dark lurked deep in me. I could feel it coiling tightly inside of me at the sight of him. It was angry and disgusted. I tried to shake the feeling, but I couldn’t.

"You need to go." That deep voice said from somewhere to my left. "I know it's odd that theyare sending you away already, but you have to go. You can feel it, can't you? That you do not belong here."

The man stepped forward enough that I could see him in my periphery. I nodded slightly as I watched my father closely.

The more I looked at my father and the throne room, the more I wanted to run away.Leave. Leave. Leave.A feminine voice purred into my mind. It was not my own voice or anyone I had heard before. I glanced around the room to see if someone else was there, but I couldn’t see anyone. The man had disappeared again. Why the hell was my father thinking of sending me away after a few days? With the thought, his voice seeped into my mind as I stared at him.

Just take this mission and leave. She better not make this difficult this time. I need her gone before she starts asking questions.

“Actually, I would prefer to do something with my time. Should I head to the training field?” I agreed because something told me I shouldn’t be here.

Thank the fucking stars.

“No, I have a task for you. You were always the greatest warrior I had—smart, tactical, and clever. We need to know how armed Crimson’s territory is. You and a handful of guards will go to Crimson and see how far you canpenetrate. I want to know anything about their army you can gather. This mission is to stay under the radar, no killing unless necessary. Do not get seen by anyone.”

And stay the fuck away from Cassius.

“Alright.” I nodded. Cassius, that name made my chest tight with longing again. “Are you sure I’m ready? Shouldn’t I train first?”

“I think your skills will come to you effortlessly. If you're not up to it, I can appoint Palo as captain of my guard until you feel prepared.”

Just agree to this and go.

“No. I’ll do it.” I was desperate to leave and try to figure things out on my own. They hadn’t even sat and had a conversation with me about everything that happened. It was almost as if they didn’t care. The darkness lingering inside of me hissed at the thought. Did they not miss me in the slightest? They had no questions or curiosities about where I had been or who I was with. It was almost like they knew it already. Sybil had said I would break my curse this time. Did that mean I had tried before? Now I’m pretty sure I wasn’t losing my damn mind when I heard their thoughts.

“Good, now go.”

Alright, prick. I turned on my heel and headed for the doors, where I was greeted by four guards. They bowed,but I ignored them and headed for the stables outside. My father had yet to mention my fire magic, and I wondered if he even knew I possessed it. Was the ability to hear thoughts another form of elite magic? What was this darkness that lived inside of me?

My mind was constantly filled with questions about my family’s odd and unwelcoming behaviors as we rode toward Crimson. None of the guards spoke to me, but I noticed how each of them watched me too closely. What were they looking to see?

?????

We made it to Crimson by nightfall the next day. We waited on the territory line that night to see what patrols would show up, but none did. My men sat away from me and did not engage me in conversation, but I didn’t mind. I stayed up all night because I was restless, and I didn’t trust these men with me.

At first light, I woke the men and led them into Crimson territory. We were met with no resistance. Either this was a trap, or Crimson did not think Cerithia would be stupid enough to cross their borders. We watched for guards all day, but none made an appearance. It wasn’t until we got closer to the city below the black castle that we saw our first soldier.

His crimson-red uniform left no mistake as to who he was. We watched as he seemed to be watching the city border, but not intently. He did not expect anything to lurk in the shadows. He was big and burly; he looked like he would be mean, but something about his face made me... happy.

“Zade!” someone yelled. I watched the man who had been patrolling. Something about his name stuck with me. His face broke out into a comforting smile when he saw the other guard coming toward him.

“Haden, I thought you were off patrol for a few days," Zade said. Haden’s dark blonde hair was chaotic, and his eyes looked directly to where I was hiding. I held my breath, but he looked away without noticing me in the shadows. I watched them both as they laughed with each other. Something about the two of them mesmerized me. Their faces seemed familiar, and that only made me more concerned because they were our enemies. Why did they seem more familiar than my family?

“Cassius is going to be a real dick at training tomorrow.” Haden frowned.

Cassius, my darkness hummed.

“This has never happened. Hopefully, we don’t have to cancel the trials.” Zade looked worried. Trials. Sybil had mentioned them, but what had she said about them?There had been too much going on to remember exactly. My men were standing with me, listening intently.

“Why do you think Cassius is losing his shit every day that passes?” Haden looked directly at where I was again and looked confused. “I think there’s someone over there.” He cocked his head to the side like it would help him see me. “I can sense something.”

Shit.

I didn’t actually feel in danger, but my men were insistent that we leave immediately. I headed toward them but stopped when the man appeared in front of me.

"Wait, you need to see him," he said softly. "He is almost here."

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