Page 63 of Pieces of Halves

Something doesn’t feel right. There’s a sensation at the back of my mind telling me to be vigilant. I close my eyes to calm my racing mind. It doesn’t help because all I see is white mixed with red.

An explosion forces me to snap my eyes open. Everyone is on their feet, staring at the door. Shouting follows the clanking of swords. My heart jumps to my throat, and I lock my eyes on Jacob’s.

“Alright.” Yanuk runs to a mahogany bookshelf and slides it open, revealing a secret hiding spot. “We talked about this.” He points at the room while looking at me and then at Anna.

The original plan was that in case of an attack, Anna and I would hide while they fight. I agreed to appease them.

“Anna, go,” I tell her without any intention of going with her.

I will not run and hide anymore. I am not the scared little girl that I used to be. Anna’s eyes widen, and then her brows come together.

“I can fight too,” she says, determination in her shimmering brown eyes.

“Fuck,” Yanuk growls aggressively. “Your Majesty,” he turns to me, “get in there.” He points to the small space, his jaw clenched.

“Izzy, you are the queen. It is important that you stay alive.” Jacob tries to reason with me.

“It’s important that I fight,” I counter. What was the point of spending hours and days training if I can’t fight when it is most needed? “Anna, hide.” I turn my attention to her.

Her eyes round, she shakes her head, and does not move.

“I am powerful, Your Majesty,” she says, her voice shaky.

“Anna…” Yanuk grits out in warning.

“Drude…” She looks up at Yanuk and places her palm on his chest, forcing a frustrated exhale from him.

Why did she call him Drude? That is a name from the German countries—

“We have to go.” Jacob interrupts my thoughts and heads for the door.

Arguing whether we are going or not is a waste of time, and that is something we don’t have. Staying in this room will only make us sitting targets. We need to go to the fight, instead of it coming to us.

I feel guilty that Anna is joining the battle. When she saw my determination to fight, her demeanor changed to a stubborn one. I’m not sure if she doesn’t want to be the only one tucked away or if she is as powerful as she says she is. Hopefully, it’s the latter.

I will certainly hear about how irresponsible my behavior is from both – Yanuk and Jacob – after this battle. That’s if we make it out alive.

The door opens, and the sounds of metal against metal get louder. Men yell incoherently with rage. I have this gnawing sensation at the pit of my stomach to make it all stop as soon as possible, at any cost.

Sofia and Victor have ruined our lives enough. It is time we pave a new road for ourselves –one that doesn’t have our parents’ mistakes following us.

Balling my sweaty fists, I shed away any fear that crawls on my skin. I will not run anymore. As we walk along the wide, dark hallway, Jacob and Yanuk march in front of me and Anna,their steps quick. Because I feel guilty that Anna is with us – and fear Yanuk will not forgive me if something happens to her – I keep her close to me. She said she is powerful, but I know nothing about her abilities.

We take a turn into the open space of the ballroom to be met by at least one hundred or more men in black, fighting fifty of my soldiers. It is not an even fight. Air lodges in my throat from the gruesome sight. Watching the clashing men before me, my mind spins, and my chest feels numb. If we were unaware of how many of them planned an attack on the castle, how misled were we about the safehouses?

Have I led my soldiers to death?

“Izzy,” Jacobs says as he looks at the battlefield, snapping me out, “don’t forget a single thing you learned and stay alive.” There is worry in his eyes.

I nod with a silent promise to do everything I can to stay safe as long as everyone else is as well. His motion is reluctant, but he turns around and jogs to help the vampire men. Yanuk eyes me and then steals a displeased glance at Anna, forcing my guilt to resurface.

“I will keep her alive,” I vow to Yanuk, hoping he forgives me.

His lips set tight, he glares at me and storms away. I do not regret my choice. I am not a coward, but I hate knowing Yanuk is upset with me. He has become a good and loyal friend; I don’t want to ruin that. Tugging at Anna, I hide behind a wall and scan the area. If we can make it across, I can get outside, fly up, and scout the castle for more of the followers. Maybe even see if Jorgan is on his way back from the safehouses.

“We are sticking together.” I lace my fingers through Anna’s. “I need to get across the room.” I turn to her. She nods, her eyes steady on the fighting men.

“Your Majesty, if I may?” Anna places her pointer finger on my chest before I have a chance to say anything, and a small light ignites at the touch. It tingles a little, traveling delicately through my body. “Now, your power is mine as well.” She sighs.

---