Page 7 of The Dark Rising
“Just tell me where Grandmother is,” Anna grinds out, not flinching at the sight of her sister’s magic.
“No way, turn around and go back to whatever cave you came from, we don’t want you here,” Janette spits out, and I resist the urge to growl at the tone she uses with Anna as I sense the guys stiffen at my back.
“Now girl, is that any way to talk to your sister?” a voice says from behind us, and we all spin, startled by the presence, having not sensed it. I waver on my feet and Josh pulls me closer, letting me rest against his side.
An older woman trails along the bridge, her steps unhurried. Her gray hair is long and hanging to the front of her chest, the tips taking on a burned, red hue. A leather strap hangs down from her neck, small bones and dried herbs adorning it. She has a wooden branch as tall as her in her hand. The sound of it hitting the wood of the bridge with her every step makes my temples pound with the same rhythm as my pulse. The same light around the swamp rests at the top of the stick, but it’s encased in a circular, clear ball with branches curving around it. The smell of lavender and something old hits me as she walks by, but it’s not an uncomfortable smell. She reaches Janette, turning to look over at Anna and her wrinkled face moves as she smiles before bringing her into a hug.
“Oh how I have missed you, granddaughter,” the woman murmurs, pulling away from Anna as Janette huffs and folds her arms, her magic nowhere to be seen.
“I’ve missed you too, Grandmother,” Anna chokes out, and the sound of sadness is clear in her voice as I watch them both.
“I see you have brought friends. Come, let us go to the family home. You can eat, wash, and rest, then we will discuss what brings you here. Though I am very glad you have arrived. I didn’t think you would all make it.” My gaze snaps to her and she looks my way, her light, violet eyes full of knowledge and power. I can sense it, feel it. “You are safe here, and we have much to talk about.”
That’s it? No interrogation or threats or boiling blood?
She turns and we follow Anna at her side, looking around at the other residents as they watch us. I peek at Josh, and he looks back at me, giving me a reassuring smile that I don’t feel. He draws me closer to him as I shiver, feeling cold more than ever. I sigh into his skin, feeling his warmth, but my body won’t stop shaking. My teeth chatter, my legs growing weak beneath me as my vision wavers. I taper forward.
Josh grabs me, his hands going to the back of my thighs as he lifts me. My legs go around his waist, my arms around his neck as I tuck my head under his chin, a muffled scream coming from me as pain rips up my body. “I’ve got you, Milal,” he murmurs. I close my eyes and relax in his hold, knowing he won’t let me fall. I breathe deeply, my body still shaking but not as much, and I let myself sink deeper into my exhaustion after holding on for so long.
I wake with a start, shooting upright into a sitting position. I cry out, my back burning as I gasp for breath. “Gods, Rhea!” Josh rushes to my side, propping pillows up behind me before gently easing my back so I can sit comfortably. “Careful.”
I squint at him, looking him over and noting how refreshed he looks. He’s wearing a light-colored tunic and dark linen pants. His face and arms are clear of blood and grime, and no longer littered with bruises.
“Where are we?” I ask, my voice hoarse as I look around the room nervously.
Dimly lit lanterns are scattered around the room. A fireplace crackles in front of me, two well-worn chairs facing it. A dresser is to my right with a variety of flowers in a tall vase on the top with a window behind it, letting the darkness of night peer through. A small table and chairs are on the other side of the room against the wall, some dried foods on a plate and the other looks like half-eaten meat. I look down and run my hand through the dark fur covering me on the bed, feeling its softness before I clench my fingers into it. I look back to Josh, waiting for an answer.
He sits on the bed next to me, his hip resting against my knee. “We are in Belldame’s home, Anna’s grandmother, you’re in one of her spare rooms.”
My heartbeat kicks up a notch. “Are we safe?”
“We are.” A sigh of relief escapes me and he frowns, a crease forming between his eyebrows. “Are you okay?”
Am I okay? I’m tired, exhausted really, and my back is still on fire. I wiggle a little, stopping immediately as pain spreads up my back. I’m filthy, still covered in dried blood and my head feels like it’s about to explode.
On a whim, I try to reach out to Kade through the link, knowing it’s not there but do it anyway. Again I find nothing.
“I’m okay,” I tell him, not wanting to worry him or put more stress on him. I know he’s feeling the loss of so many things too. “My back really hurts but with these on.” I lift my wrists and look down at the cuffs there. “I don’t think my back will be okay for a while.”
If at all.
“We managed to get ours off.” He shows me his now-bare wrists. “And we’re looking into how we can get yours off. Belldame thinks she might be able to with the help of Anna.”
I nod, not letting myself hope just yet. These cuffs are infused with terbium, once on, they don’t come off from what I have been told. Did Darius put these on me or someone else?
I wince at the thought of him, or the assumption that he would have some good inside of him. After we made the vow in my cave, I was sure we were getting somewhere. I even thought that maybe after we built some trust, I would tell him all about how Eridian became what it is today, and that maybe he could help me and keep it safe. Yet he was quick to go back on our vow that was sealed before the Gods. All over a fucking crystal that showed him bullshit. Over the lies the Highers and my family told.
I was stupid to think differently. I’m a stranger to him, so why would he believe me? Even at Wolvorn Castle, I still had some hope he would help me escape, that he would realize that something isn’t right. The connection I thought we had was a lie, nothing in what I had begun to feel for him meant anything, even with the words he uttered to me before we left, it doesn’t mean anything. Yet, a stupid part of me thought he would see me; that he could see my truth. It’s that thought that makes it hurt more and I rub my chest, the ache there intensifying.
There is no hope in these lands, no mercy.
Just like I told him, just like he told me.
I watch Josh as he gets up and goes to the table with the dried food on it. He picks up the plate then brings it back and shoves it at me. “Eat, it’s been a while since you have.” My stomach reacts to the food in front of me, growling in hunger, and my mouth waters. We had barely eaten since escaping, trying to get to Witches Rest as quickly as possible as the hunt for us was no doubt underway.
I pick up a piece of what looks like some kind of dried meat, uncaring of my filthy hands, and take a bite. I moan as the taste fills my mouth, savoring the juices before I swallow. Josh chuckles, shaking his head at me and picks up a little piece of his own. “We ate some berries just yesterday, I don’t understand why I’m so hungry,” I mumble around another piece of meat. I’ve gone without food for a long time before, but I’ve never felt this much hunger in a long time.
He pauses, the strip of meat halfway to his mouth, “Rhea, you’ve been out for nearly two weeks now.” I choke on a bit of food, coughing and banging my chest even though it hurts. Josh rushes off back to the table and brings me a wooden cup. I take a sip of the cool water, washing my food down as he watches me carefully.
