Page 42 of Beast

I hesitated, then looked at Labyrinth.He didn’t wait for further instruction, falling in with us as we prepared to leave.

“Bye-bye, little butterfly,” Cosway said sadly, watching Marinah hand off the kittens.Her tone was wistful, and for a moment, I caught a glimpse of something almost fairylike about her.

Then we took off, running toward danger.

Chapter Twenty

Marinah

King was still angry, and I didn’t know how to open the door to let this go.I hated the tension between us, and it made me feel insecure in ways I couldn’t fully explain.It bothered him that I didn’t obey his orders, and I promised myself I’d do better.The last thing I wanted was for someone to die because of me.

But deep down, I also knew I’d struggle if someone needed saving, and it was deemed “too dangerous” for the little Shadow Warrior.

I groaned silently.I didn’t like any of this.

We ran at a much faster pace than we’d taken the past day.Even so, it would still take us three days to reach the outpost.No airplane to speed things up this time.We slept for just two hours the first night before starting off again.

The last thing I’d do was complain.

None of us talked much.I couldn’t stop thinking about Ruth and Missy, and I knew Beck was just as worried as I was.

Three days felt like a lifetime when the people you loved were in danger.

∞∞∞

We reached the northern outpost at midnight.The eerie quiet set my nerves on edge.It was too quiet.

“Marinah!”Ruth’s voice cut through the silence, and before I could react, her spindly little arms and legs wrapped tightly around me.

“Ruth!”Missy ran after her, grabbing her daughter and pulling her back.“I told you no!It’s too dangerous.Get back inside, now!”

Missy shook Ruth like I’d never seen her do before.From the look on Missy’s face, I thought better of mentioning how Ruth’s brains were probably rattling in her skull and wisely kept my mouth shut.

Before I had a chance to greet Missy, Beck swept both her and Ruth into his arms, lifting them several feet off the ground.Missy buried her face in his chest while Ruth squirmed free, dropping to the ground.She looked at me with a shrug and an expression that screamed, totally gross.

Missy leaned back slightly from Beck, her voice tense.“We think the attack will come in a few hours.They sent us their conditions three days ago, saying we had a week to comply.They want all able-bodied men and women sent to the Federation.”She paused, her expression tightening.“But they’re not giving us the week.”

She tucked her head back into Beck’s chest, her voice muffled.I barely caught her next words.“We have the Shadow Warriors hidden outside the walls along the upper ridge.We figure if the Federation sends hellhounds first, like they did at the other outpost, it’s safer.”She rested her head against him for a moment, her exhaustion evident.“We didn’t think you’d make it here in time.”

“Inside,” King said curtly, herding us toward the house Missy had been using.

As soon as we were inside, Ruth piped up.“Can we train tomorrow?”

“Ruth!”Missy snapped, obviously at her wit’s end.It was clear Ruth had been a handful since we left.Normally calm and composed, Missy was now visibly disheveled, her nerves stretched thin.Part of it was the stress from the Federation’s looming attack, but the rest?I had no doubt it was due to the pint-sized hellspawn standing beside her.

I gave Ruth a slight smile.“How about we take a few minutes and train right now?You never know what tomorrow will bring.”

Missy’s panic was immediate, her wide eyes darting to mine.I softened my tone.“I’ll just improve her grip on her sword and teach her to strike properly.It’ll take five minutes, and she can practice while the rest of us get ready.No one’s sleeping tonight anyway.”

Missy hesitated, clearly torn, but she knew Ruth needed something to occupy her, or she’d be a hindrance.

“Does it need to be a sharp sword?”she asked, her tone full of the usual “mom” skepticism.

Ruth whooped with excitement.“The sharper, the better!”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Missy mumbled before giving me a reluctant nod.

“Can I use your sword?”Ruth asked, her voice filled with rapt fascination as her wide eyes stayed glued to the shiny silver blade I’d removed from its sheath.

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