Page 75 of Upon Buried Embers

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“Now!”

Nora lets go, picking up a crying Melle.

“Dragonbond, she did something to Melle!”

“I saw it,” Darcia says, coming over. “Melle was fine, and then she tried to take the bread off of her! Thief! Stealing from a child!”

She sneers at me, and everyone murmurs around us, causing me to curl in on myself.

“It did look suspicious,” Rhett joins in.

I tremble.

“You—” Nora comes at me again, but Rohan blocks her way.

“Enough! If anyone touches her you will havemeto deal with, is that clear!”

Nora breathes heavily, but she nods, holding Melle close.

“Elf, go to the cabin.” I don’t hesitate, I get up and run, tears stinging my eyes as I feel the weight of their hate-filled stares at my back.

“Elf?” Rohan calls. I curl up in the bedroom corner, just behind the burning embers of the fire as I sniffle. “Elf!” Rohan growls, but I can’t make myself move.

I look at the poker near the fire pit, the sharp end of it, and wonder how much it will hurt. Wonder how quick it will be.

I grab it, staring at the glowing tip.

Could I get it under the collar? Shove it through?

Am I brave enough?

It will hurt, but it’s better than being here.

What else can I do? What can I ever do?

Just do it.

I bring the poker closer.

Just quickly.

I close my eyes.

Come on.

I look at my dainty wrist, maybe through here, maybe that will work—

The curtain rustles, and my eyes fly open as he pauses in the doorway. I raise my head slightly, my vision blurred from the puffiness of my eyes.

“You don’t want to do that.”

“Why?” I whisper. “What’s the point?”

“We have a deal.” I look at the glowing end.

“And?” I’m dying anyway.

“And the point is that you’re here, now, with me.”

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