Page 93 of Glass and Bone
“That wasn’t you?”
“What did you see?”
“I saw a dead version of myself. Every time she, I, opened my mouth water came out. She was covered in blood and started chasing me. She only stopped when I crossed the border.”
“The border where?”
“Rakushia. I made it pretty far in, but there were these men in cloaks who tried to take me. Tobias and Theo got there in time and rescued me. This was a while ago.”
“You were in Rakushia?”
“Yes.”
“Elaenor, you need to go back.”
“To Noterra?”
“No, to Rakushia.Iam in Rakushia.”
“How can I trust you?”
“I just need you to believe me. Come to Rakushia.”His voice is begging, pleading, but I don’t trust him.
“I can’t really go anywhere right now, Enzo. Even if I could, I don’t trust you. I don’t know who to believe or what to think. My father said someone is coming to collect me soon. Do you know who that is?”
“Yes, my men. They are coming. Help is coming, Elaenor, just be patient, please.”The dim buzzing in my ears dissipates before I can answer, letting me know he is gone.
“He said help is on the way.”
“Seriously?” His brows are furrowed, skeptical. I just shrug. I can barely believe that I can speak to Enzo, much less that my mother was a witch. I close my eyes again, exhaustion washing over me in waves.
“He said I need to go to Rakushia.”
“No, Nora! Are you crazy?”
“What?”
“We are in the middle of a war, and you want to march right into their lands? Do you not remember the men who tried to take you?”
“Of course I remember, Theo, but Enzo is in Rakushia.”
“You don’t even know who this guy is, Elaenor.”
“He’s never lied to me.”
“He may not even exist!” He snaps and I clench my teeth together. I open my mouth to speak when the door to the dungeon opens. To my surprise, Scarlett and Rhea run in. She’s holding keys and shakily tries to find the one that goes into the lock.
“Stay quiet.” She snaps. I ungracefully rise to my feet and run up to the door. Tears pool in my eyes as she finds the one that fits. The metal door groans as she pulls it open. I throw myself at her, my hands still cuffed behind my back. “Are you okay?” She whispers and I nod. I throw myself at Rhea next who is sobbing. She brushes the hair from my face when she pulls back.
“It has been too long.” She whispers.
“I missed you too.” I whisper back. Scarlett’s cold fingers clasp onto the cuffs and within seconds they fall off. I nearly moan with the release of pressure on my shoulders. She gets Theo’s off, and he brushes her cheek softly. She smiles before turning back to me.
“We need to go.” I nod as she grabs Rhea’s hand and Theo grabs mine. We quietly climb the stairs back to the ground level. She goes out first and reappears seconds later to let us know the coast is clear. Within minutes we are exiting out of the servant’s door and into the woods.
“Is everyone okay?” Theo asks. His fingers gently rub my wrists and I offer him a smile.
“I think so.”
