Page 53 of Crowned A Traitor
Klara leapt over the boulder that was separating her from Wolfgang and lifted the edge of his shirt. The red veins had spread further with one vein running dangerously close to his heart.
“I don’t think I can stand,” he winced, holding his side blocking Klara’s view of the wound.
“You want to leave your sister with the Heir to Hell?” Klara half-laughed, feeling the heat of his fevered body emanating around her.
“Least I know you won’t eat her.”His body isn’t pushing out the bullet fast enough.
“If you’re strong enough to joke, you are strong enough to move!” Klara pulled him to a seated position against a rock.
“Woofgang!”
The cry from Lottie opened Wolfgang’s eyes. Klara heard her Father’s voice telling her to leave him.
“Remember this, the next time you’re tempted to mock a half-breed,” Klara grumbled as she wrapped his arm around her shoulder and Wolfgang groaned in protest. “Move, or I will leave you,” Klara threatened, and he pulled himself onto the rock and used her body to support himself. They followed the Rivers rocky bank, and Klara thought she would cry tears of joy as she saw the small dock.
“We are almost there,” she grunted, and Wolfgang growled in response as they both saw the longboat sat rocking at the end of the dock.
“Klara,” Arthur called with Lottie in his arms at the end of the dock. “What?” She panted following his line of sight. Behind them in the tree line, Abadan stood with her Hounds. They were so close she could smell the hint of Abadan’s perfume on the wind.
“Kharon better not desert us,” Klara cursed, helping Wolfgang as he struggled over a boulder.
“Abadan?” Wolfgang whispered, his eyes red with fever. “Kharon won’t leave until the sun is at its highest,” Wolfgang coughed as they stumbled up the dock.
The longboat was empty, no sign of Kharon and no oars. This is impossible, Klara stared at the bare longboat. Lottie stared over Arthur’s shoulder, and Klara saw the panic in her young eyes.
The sky darkened with storm clouds blocking out what little sun there was. Klara went to step onto the longboat, hoping to provoke Kharon’s appearance.
“No passage without payment,” Kharon appeared in front of them with a skeletal hand outstretched awaiting payment.
Klara admired the tailored black suit. Gone was the long grey robes that were customary for the role. “We need to leave now,” Klara demanded her eyes flashing black, exposing who she was to force his hand, but the Ferrier of Souls shook his head.
“You hold no power over me, Traitor,” Kharon laughed at her pathetic show of strength. Klara released Wolfgang, and he slipped from her shoulder to the dock.
The howl of the Hounds travelled in the air as she looked at the tree line. The Hounds waited impatiently for the signal to attack. Abadan was playing with her.
Klara reached into her bag to find a large gold coin. She tossed the coin into the longboat already full of glimmering gems and coins. The thick gold coin was enough to pay for an army’s passage. Kharon moved aside, allowing Arthur and Lottie access.
“The Underworld? Hell?” Kharon raised an eyebrow. “As far south of the Neutral Lands you can get us,” Klara corrected, and Kharon eyed the payment considering the risks.
“I look forward to collecting your precious soul once the Fae cut you down.” Kharon leaned forward exposing his skull face and hollow eye sockets.
“Your support is encouraging,” Klara glared trying to help Wolfgang up from the dock as he slipped in and out of consciousness. The Ferrier raised a hand stopping them from boarding once again as the Hounds descended.
“He has silver,” Kharon licked his lips looking at Wolfgang’s abdomen, and she saw the fear in Wolfgang’s eyes.
“Selfish monster,” Klara snapped, and Kharon shrugged. “Every bit helps.”
There was no time to argue as the howl of the Hounds grew closer.
Klara pushed Wolfgang down on the dock, and shock filled his pale features. Klara ripped off her belt in haste. “Bite down on this!” She ordered, and Wolfgang shook his head. Klara stuffed the belt, in-between his teeth and lifted his shirt.
“I’m sorry,” Klara said coldly, and she looked to Arthur, “Lottie, you need to turn around.” When Lottie didn’t listen, Arthur faced her in the opposite direction.
Digging her fingers into Wolfgang’s side, his eyes flashed amber, and Klara could feel his pain. She prayed he would pass out as she felt the silver bullet.
“Got it!’ Klara said, gripping the bullet as sweat poured down his features. His eyes rolled back, and Klara let out a sigh of relief.Least he will find some peace in sleep.
Klara placed the silver bullet in Kharon’s hand as the Hounds reached the end of the dock.
