Page 3 of Shadowlands Omega

She lowers her gaze in a way I don’t like. I frown. “I…I want more for you than this humble life,” she says, and I don’t fully understand.

“I like our humble life.”

She shakes her head ever so slightly, then offers me a smile I’ve never seen her wear before. It’s a smile that speaks of uncertainty, which is bizarre coming from a strong Orias woman whose belief in the ancestors having her back means she’s only ever been sure. “I know you do, Kandia. Now go on, and tell no one of this.”

I do as I’m told, moving back to the kitchens as if caught in a dream. I don’t notice that I’ve passed the threshold until Justine’s voice snaps me back to the present. “So? Where are they?”

I blink and see Justine standing directly in front of me, the kitchens a strange chaos they normally aren’t because only those of us who cook are left while everyone responsible for deliveries is downstairs tending to dead bodies. Farro and Audet flank her, looking stressed.

I glance around and quickly make decisions because I’m the only one left who can. “Audet, you and Cyprus will make the delivery.”

“We can’t do it alone,” Audet squeals, her loose curls springing around her cheeks. She’s the pretty sister — whether it’s a title she’s earned or given herself, I’ve never been sure and never cared, really. Twelve years younger than I am, she’s always been the baby, doted upon and spoiled as rotten as a poor family of mostly girls can spoil one of its own. She believes one day on one of these deliveries Lord Yaron will see her and be so moved, he’ll take her for a wife instantly, even though the Shadow Lords wed only their city. They don’t take mates, no matter how young or how pretty.

The thought of her hassling Lord Yaron and embarrassing my entire family is the main reason I say what I do next because only my ancestors will truly know how little desire I have to be up close and personal with our Lord. I mean…I do…but I don’t…because I don’t want him to look at me like I know he will.

Like he doesn’t see me at all. A poor, not particularly attractive female Beta cook — how could he do anything but dismiss me? But for my family, I’ll have to put my pride aside.

I swallow hard, sweat already beading between my breasts, thoughts of dead bodies in basements already long forgotten. “I’ll…I’ll make the delivery with you and talk to Radmilla.” Hopefully Lord Yaron won’t even be present for any part of this exchange. “We’ll need Cyprus’s help unloading the wagon, though. Where is he? Because if Cyprus is busy, then Farro and Justine, you’ll have to come, too.”

“Farro is already loading the cart with Tor. But, umm…” Justine nods and looks down at her clothes. We’re all covered in dirty smocks and filthy aprons, except for Audet who’s wearing a dress without a smudge on it. “Okay?”

I pretend I’m not having the same internal panic at the thought of crossing Lord Yaron and say, “It’s fine. We won’t see any of the Crimson Riders or Lord Yaron himself. We’re just taking trays to Radmilla.”

“Out front!” Farro says, appearing around the side of the house. “Come on. The food is loaded! Cyprus is here!”

We follow him around the kitchens en masse to find Cyprus sitting on top of a horse cart laden with way too many things. Our fat horses are going to struggle under this weight. I’ll make sure to give them extra carrots and sugar cubes tonight, I think as I scramble up into the back of the wagon, leaving the place next to Cyprus for Audet. Then again, maybe too many sugar cubes is the problem.

The cart starts a slow, staggering climb away from the kitchens out to the road. Justine and Farro wave us off with stressed faces, like we’re green soldiers headed off to our first battle. Halfway up the hill, Cyprus says, “What’s going on?”

I’mso deep into my own thoughts and fears that I answer absently, “Ask Mama.”

“What? What would she know of this?”

“What?”

“Kia, are you even paying attention to me? I’m talking about the village. Orias is dead.”

The word makes me shiver as it tumbles from his lips, landing with a splat on the ground before the cart rolls over it. I glance up and down the Orias highway line and see that he’s right. People who were milling about only minutes ago are suddenly gone. The doors and windows of all the residences and shops are shut and shuttered. The lights inside are on, but the kerosine lanterns that run up and down the street hang unlit, even though the darkness is encroaching and nearly upon us now.

“We’re late,” I say.

Cyprus guffaws. “Late? How can you worry about being late at a time like this? Everyone is home, but they’re boarded up, like they’re expecting an attack.” He sits up straight and stares over his shoulder at me, his hazel eyes lancing into mine. I know what he’s saying without him having to speak.The undead. “Maybe we should return.”

“You think the undead would attack here?” I hiss.

“The undead? Don’t be daft. We probably just missed a notice. A red moon festival, maybe.” Audet makes a gruff, frustrated sound. “Mama and Papa never are in the know. We miss all the fun parties.”

“It’s not a party, Audie,” Cyprus says, sounding annoyed himself. My twin brother is never annoyed.

I point up at the thick clouds veiling the sky and say, “There is no red moon tonight, Audie.”

“You two are just trying to scare me…”

“We’re not…”

“Stop, both of you,” I say loudly. They hush instantly. I never raise my voice, but right now, over the sound of our fat horses breathing, I can just make out a distant rumble. “Do you hear that?”

I look up at Cyprus to see his head cocked at a funny angle. Then all at once, he gasps, “Run… Run!”

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