Page 39 of Crowned A Traitor
“Abadan will blame it on the rogue Demons that wish you dead. Those who wish for Lucifer to remain on the throne for all eternity,” Lilith said unwrapping Klara’s axe from a piece of cloth. Lilith couldn’t touch the handle because of the silver it contained. Klara had never been so happy to see it.
“The Demons that escorted you down here hold no loyalty to the King. Kill them if you get the chance because they won’t hesitate. They don’t care who you are.”
“You played straight into Abadan’s hands,” Lilith scolded opening the cell door with a wrenching screech. They travelled up the dungeon path when Lilith paused to check the way was clear. Klara saw a flicker of a shadow and threw her axe catching an Ogre right in between the eyes, the baton still raised high, as the massive body crashed to the floor.
“Good arm,” Lilith said as Klara pulled the axe from the Ogre.
The Castle was alive with cheers bouncing through the corridors although she couldn’t hear clearly what they were saying.
“Abadan has raised her supporters, Eve called upon the covens and other loyalties she has in the Human World.” Klara knew where the conversation was headed, “with Frendall and Eve. They want to rule Hell and Malum.”
Klara felt her world crumble. “So that makes me...”
“that makes you worth more dead than alive.” Lilith finished her thought and pushed her back as a group of Demons passed at the end of the hall. Klara wanted out of Malum and away from her responsibilities to her Father, but they would never stop hunting her now because having an Heir out in the worlds or realms was a threat.
“Lucifer won’t allow such betrayal,” Klara said eyes darting around the empty kitchen searching for Arthur. “Hurry up,” Lilith growled, and she fought the urge to call for her friend. “Lucifer has been losing supporters for decades. His focus hasn’t been where it ought to be. Abadan will use his favour for a time and then turn on him.”
“Why are you helping me?” Klara stopped to ask Lilith as she led her down the path to the escape tunnel.
“I did what I could to make you tough, but this is where my part ends,” Lilith said, placing a bag on Klara’s back. “Everything you need to get clear is inside. You wanted out, here is your chance.”
“How can I trust you? you have always been loyal to Abadan.”
Lilith hugged Klara, and she tensed not used to affection from Lilith or anyone for that matter. “Eve has Mila, Abadan has Frendall. You are my charge to protect, and I won’t let them take what is rightfully yours.”
“I don’t want the throne,” Klara protested, and Lilith shook her head, leading her deeper into the tunnel.
“It doesn’t matter what you want. The throne needs a leader like you. You might not be ready for Hell, but Malum would thrive, but you haven’t learnt yet.”
“Haven’t learnt what?” Klara asked as they stood in the darkness of the tunnel.
“Now go,” Lilith shouted as a stream of light began to fill the tunnel. “They are coming through the other passages. You need to run.”
“What about you?” Klara asked, suddenly terrified to leave her side.
“Get to Kalos. Bargain with the Fae Queen if you have to but gain your strength.”
“You knew?”
“A mother always knows,” Lilith placed her forehead against Klara’s, “you might not be my blood, but I trained you, and I know what you are capable of.”
Voices grew closer and angrier, and she could hear Abadan leading a pack of Hounds. They ran to the edge of the tunnel.
“Leave!” Lilith shouted as Klara noticed Lilith stopped moving with her. Lilith pushed her out onto the Forest path.
“They’ll kill you,” Klara stammered, and Lilith winked.
“I still have some tricks up my sleeve.” Lilith walked back up the path to the dangers that followed them. She wanted to follow Lilith, help her fight back. As she went to enter the tunnel, the protection seal wouldn’t let her enter. Klara banged her fist against the invisible wall and Lilith looked over her shoulder for a brief moment before running towards the pack of Hounds.
Klara ran as fast as her legs would carry her, as far away from the piercing screams echoing through the tunnel and into the crisp night.
Klara leapt over fallen trees, travelling deeper into Malum until she could no longer hear the violent cries. With her feet swollen and hammering new heart, she chopped through walls of thorns as she went, each one determined to catch her. This was Eve’s attempt at stopping her escape. Vines of ivy came to life and fought against the iron of Klara’s axe.
Klara let out an exhausted breath as she saw a clearing in the Forest up ahead. Her scraped skin was already healing with the aid of her new heart. The last branch of thorns fell, and she rested her hands on her knees. Sweat dripped from her brow as she tucked her axe into the harness over her bag. She listened for the Hounds but heard nothing but silence and the pounding of her heart. Not even the ravens sang, they were probably too busy carrying messages to the Demons and Creatures of Malum informing those loyal to the King that Klara had fled.
Klara used the sap on the trees to camouflage her scent. It would mask her from the Hounds and to those loitering in the shadows. Crouching in the mud for a moments rest, her heartbeat steadied and the last of the slashes from Eve’s wall of thorns healed.
Klara unclasped the bag from her back to see a map laying on top of a few coloured vials and a spare change of clothes. She would study the potions later, but right now she needed to figure out the path Lilith intended her to take.
