Page 76 of Seized to Sacrifice
‘They always were your favorite,’ Nyx said, taking one himself and grinning.
‘You're not to go anywhere without at least one of us with you,’ Rye said. ‘Not here.’
Remembering some of the looks she’d received on her way through, she nodded her assent.
‘But I'm your Fourth, aren’t?’ she asked, still not sure what that really meant.
She hadn't had a chance to ask them the questions that she’d had from the other night.
‘You may be our Fourth,’ Rye answered, ‘but the Army is still in upheaval from the changes the Commander has wrought. There are dangers here that aren't readily apparent and sometimes the pleasantest face is the one that's the most dangerous.’
She nodded.
‘What did you mean when you said that I was your Fourth before the Army existed? How long has the Army endured for? How old am I?’
‘It’s just an expression,’ Nyx said quickly, giving Rye a meaningful look that she didn’t understand. ‘He just meant that it’s been a long time.’
‘Come,’ Rye said, ‘let's show you around the Camp. The fighting rings will be dead at the moment, but they'll be getting started soon. We can watch tonight if you like.’
Elle nodded, pretending she had no idea that he was trying to divert her attention from further questions. What were they hiding from her? She would find out.
‘I'd love to see the Camp,’ she said, linking his arm with hers.
She took Nyx’s as well and grinned at his amusement as she pulled them along with her out of the tent.
‘Come,’ she said, ‘I promise not to keep you too long.’
They took her to the main thoroughfare of the Camp that was like the main street in a small town but instead of buildings, there were tents. There were signs for the apothecary, the cobbler, and baker. A smithy was down the way. She could hear him pounding on his anvil.
‘The archives are just here,’ Rye said, pointing. ‘Shall we see how Thorne is getting on?’
They took her into a dim tent that smelled musty. There were books and scrolls everywhere, most encased in wooden cabinets with lockable doors.
A tall, blonde Brother carrying some books walked past her as they went in. He caught her eye and his brow furrowed. He looked away and then she saw his gaze snap back to her. There was recognition in his eyes.
‘Gaila?’ The books he carried fell to the floor.
She was forced to stop as he blocked their way.
‘It's me. Bastian.’ He looked relieved. ‘I've been trying to find you.’
He was suddenly embracing her. The men beside her were frozen in confusion.
‘Don’t you don't know me?’ he asked. ‘How are you here? You always said you couldn't set foot in this realm. I never thought I'd see you again. I’ve been researching everything I can, trying to understand what could have happened to you and how …’ He hugged her to him again. ‘What's wrong with you?’
‘I—’
She glanced at Rye and Nyx who were staring at where the man in front of them touched her.
‘I–They said my name is Elle.’
‘There were only three men who ever called you that.’ He grinned at her and then looked at the others more closely. ‘You're Gaila’s consorts. She rarely spoke of you, but there were rumors. What happened to you, my friend? Put me out of my misery.’
Elle opened and closed her mouth. ‘I woke up here in a forest without my memories. I don't know you, I'm sorry.’
‘Oh, Gaila.’ He looked upset. ‘What did they do to you?’
‘Who?’ Nyx and Rye growled together.
