Page 84 of Quarter Labyrinth

Astrid didn’t hesitate. Her eyes narrowed, and she pressed forward, her sword a blur of lethal intent. I staggered back, my injured hand trembling as I tried to block her next strike. Harald was groaning in pain, Tove screaming for help, and Clark fumbling for his weapon while shouting my name—but all I could focus on was the deadly dance between me and Astrid.

“I am the one who is meant to win,” Astrid said. Her eyes were red and her body shaking. “This was supposed to be my victory.”

Wolves and voices called in the distance.

Not right now.

“They were innocent.” I tried not to look at Gunnar and Aiden’s bodies. “They meant you no harm.”

“You’re right. I should have killed you first.”

As the wolf howls got closer, Astrid charged at me again.

She never got the chance. Clark’s blade met her in the middle, and he wrapped one hand around her wrists. He allowed her one final breath, one moment where her eyes got wide, before he shut them forever.

Clark pulled his sword from her body. She fell to the floor.

Blood turned the grass red.

“We can’t,” Harald was fighting for breath as Tove clutched him. “We can’t stay.”

I turned away from the death and dropped to his side. Blood had saturated his shirt in obscene amounts, staining the fabric deep crimson. Combined with the wounds he’d already taken, he looked wrecked—torn up from too many angles to count. “I am so sorry,” I said.

His wet hand found mine. “This isn’t your doing.”

I still felt as if I’d failed them. Clark dropped silently beside me. One look from Harald, and he nodded, reached for Harald’s bag, and passed it to him.

“It’s time, Tove,” Harald breathed.

The small child sniffled, but found her bag as well.

Together, they reached for their white stones. Before he could throw, he gave us a final look. “I meant to go to the end with you.”

“Where will you go now?” I ignored the howl of wolves as they got nearer, and the chatter of voices. We’d been too loud. Others were coming for us.

“Back to theCastello.Marcellus Jasper still owns us.”

It wasn’t a proper life to be returning to, not after we’d all dreamed of something so much grander. But it was a life, and he would get the chance to live it. He’d carry scars forever, but his heart would still beat.

He and Tove tossed their white rocks high, and left behind cold air and sticky blood.

For a beat, neither of us moved. We were seven strong an hour ago. Now only Clark and I remained. It felt very much like losing our armor.

No,I realized.Not armor. Like losing our family.

“Ren, we need to move.” Clark stood, holding a hand for me.

I blinked my eyes dry, if only for a moment. I afforded Aiden and Gunnar another look, wishing we had time to bury them, before I collected my axe and sword and strung my pack over my shoulder.

Ironic how I’d meant to leave them this morning. Instead, most left me.

“Ren?”

“I’m ready. Let’s finish this labyrinth.”

And we ran.

THIRTY-NINE

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