Page 53 of Somewhere down the Ley Line
She stood, wobbling slightly before steadying herself. “Good night, Felix.”
“Night,” he murmured behind her as she walked away.
She pressed her hands to her burning face as she disappeared into her tent, too mortified to look back.
***
The next morning, the forest thinned and gave way to low, rolling meadows. Rocky plains and distant hills made up the landscape ahead, dotted with small clusters of trees. Isolde rode side by side with Garren, their hoods pulled up against the light rain that had started at night.
“How are you feeling today, my lady?” Garren asked, as he had done nearly every morning since they left the village. She had no memory of the day she missed at all, only strange dreams that made her blush to recall. She had been wobbly and pale for a few days after healing Leif, but it had also taught her much. There was a sense of control now that had not been there before.
Isolde had a mild, nagging headache that had very little to do with her magic. “I’m alright, Garren. Really. Look,” she said, and pulled up her sleeve to show him how brightly the blue ley markings glowed on her skin once more. Next, she levitated a small rock they passed, for good measure, and threw it away with a flick of her hand. Felix, riding ahead of them, turned his head to grin at her.
Garren’s expression remained impassive. “Please be careful, my lady. I respect your decision to… explore your abilities. Only, keep in mind that there is no one here to guide you. None of us know anything about this. What you did for Leif was a miracle, but at what cost?”
Isolde searched his face. He was genuinely looking out for her. “I will be careful, Garren.”
Up ahead, Leif had halted. Felix was next to him, and they were laughing about something together. Isolde slowed her horse, taking in her surroundings.
She nudged Shadow forward. “Leif,” she said, “is this the end of the forest?”
Leif nodded. “Yes. We have reached the northern border of the Crovan lands.”
“In that case, you have paid your blood debt to me. I release you from your service,” she said simply. The thought of Leif leaving them was a sad one, but he had done what she had asked of him. She would not take advantage.
Felix’s eyes were on her. Isolde kept her focus on Leif, who gaped at her.
“I, ah…” he stammered. “Thank you. But…” He turned back to the forest for a moment, then to the unknown lands ahead. “I would like to stay. If you’ll have me.”
Felix let out an exaggerated groan. “Oh, no. Tell him no, Isa, I beg you.”
Isolde glared at Felix, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I would be delighted to have you stay with us,” she said. “If you’re sure? We still have a long way to go.” Her gaze shifted north to the endless landscape ahead, wondering what awaited them there and if she was inviting Leif into more horrible danger.
“I’m sure,” Leif said, his face lighting up with a wide smile. “I’m involved in this now,” he added seriously. “I have to see it through to the end.”
Isolde nodded. “Then you’ll stay with us. Until the end, whatever that may be.” With that, she turned her horse and rejoined Garren.
Minutes later, Felix headed to his usual spot at the back of their line. She caught his eye as he passed her and smiled. He winked in response, such a tiny gesture, yet it unleashed a storm of butterflies in her stomach that stayed there for hours.
20
Abomination
The fire burned low, casting flickering shadows on the rocks. Garren had agreed to take first watch, and the others were dozing or half-listening to Leif’s rambling story about his most recent hunting mishap.
Felix leaned back against his pack. Across the camp, Isolde was writing in her notebook, her brow furrowed in that focused expression she always wore when puzzling something out. Felix could not stop watching her, captivated by the way the firelight danced on her hair. As if sensing his gaze, she looked up and met his eyes. She smiled – a small, quiet thing that made him catch his breath. She beckoned him, so he got up, curious.
As soon as he did, an arrow nicked his shoulder, cutting a sharp line of fire across his skin.
In a heartbeat, the peaceful scene dissolved into chaos. Garren was on his feet, shouting, “Ambush!” Felix crouched instinctively, grabbing for his weapons, rushing towards Isolde. Luella was already moving, nocking arrows as she went, while an enemy arrow slammed into the ground nearby. “Get to cover!” she shouted as she loosed an arrow of her own into the shadows.
“Isa! Get down!” Felix bellowed, his voice tinged with panic. His eyes locked on Isolde, still by the fire, clutching her notebook like it could shield her. He sprinted toward her, his heart hammering. One arrow, one blade too close, and – he did not allow himself to finish the thought.Focus.
He spun in front of an attacker in time to stop the arc of the sword toward Isolde with his axe. He twisted, yanking the weapon off-balance, and drove his dagger into the man’s throat. The body crumpled in a spray of blood, and Felix was already moving, spinning to keep the fire at his back.
Another arrow whizzed past him, missing by an inch. Blood trickled down his arm. A mercenary closed in, swinging a curved blade. Felix sidestepped and brought his axe down in a quick sweep, his eyes scanning frantically.
Where was Isolde?
