Page 11 of A Kiss of Embers
Bastien unhooked his spear from his back and set it on an empty table still attached to the living tree, followed by his chupacabra mask residing on his back, two daggers, five knives, and he finished with his bow and quiver of arrows. It may be a lot of weapons, but as a member of Attleglade’s patrol guard, he was the first defense for his people should the enemy attack.
He snorted quietly to himself. He protected his people. He served them. Yet, he was still “that half-breed.” It only served to prove that whatever he did would never be good enough.
When the guard returned to his seat, Bastien slowly approached the cells, his eyes quickly adjusting to the dim light.
His throat constricted.
The girl crouched in the corner, her entire body shivering from her shoulders to her legs to her tattered wings. Black hair draped over her face as if to hide her when she could otherwise not hide at all. She appeared small and frail.A child. This time, his people had gone too far.
He crouched on the opposite side of the cell. The way she slightly turned her body toward him indicated she was aware of his presence.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
No answer.
His gaze traveled from her black hair to the magical brand on her wrist shaped like a cluster of leaves. As long as the brand marred her skin, she could not use her magic. It was pointless now. There was nothing left of his tree home to catch fire anyway.
“Why were you in the Glades?” he tried again quietly. “Was there anyone else with you?”
Will anyone try to save your life?
Although the fae girl didn’t answer, she lifted her head enough for her hair to part to reveal the terror in her eyes. For several long moments, she stared back at him as if capable of sifting through his soul.
Her gaze darted to his feet and back up to his eyes. He followed her gaze to find red dust sprinkled at his feet. The texture felt coarse between his fingers, and he held his hand up to his face to get a better look. The substance felt like sand yet glinted like jewels.
“Her stone necklace exploded before we managed to snatch it,” the guard explained across the room without looking his way. “I’ll get around to cleaning it up after the execution.”
Autumn winds,he swore in his head.A child, you bastard! Do you not care?
The Ember Fae met his eye again, her gaze intense.Don’t react.
Her voice echoed in his mind, and he almost gasped. Almost. But he swore his pounding heart nearly gave him away to the guard across the room. How could the girl speak to his mind?
As if hearing his thoughts, she said,Where I come from, a single Ember stone can be cut multiple times to allow each person in possession of a piece to communicate telepathically.
In the hand she marginally opened, she revealed a scattering of red stone dust on her palm.
Not wanting the guard to become suspicious of their telepathic conversation, he asked, “Why did you come on our land alone without a weapon?”
No answer, of course.
You tried to let me go, the girl said.I can’t trust you, but you’re the only one I have. Please. Tell me of a way I can escape. I don’t want to die.
It’s impossible to escape,he answered with regret, hoping the girl could hear his thoughts.If the guard doesn’t catch you, someone from the settlement will. Iftheydon’t catch you, the patrol guard will.
Her broken wings fluttered slightly before she winced.Please. Out of the goodness of your heart, don’t let them kill me.
“Answer me!” he added gruffly before saying silently,It’s my life on the line. They will execute me if I’m found out, which, I promise you, they will catch me.
Please,she simply begged again, her voice inside his head much quieter than before and filled with hesitancy and doubt.
He stood and turned his back to her to avoid looking into her eyes, but not before placing more stone dust in his pocket.What’s your name?
Pri.
Only just barely holding back a sigh, he replied,Give me two days. I’ll try to find a way to break you out.Oh, his father was going to kill him. But his conscience would not allow this death to transpire.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
