Kindred Souls Complete Series: Books 1-4

Chapter Eight

My legs and back ached, and I wanted nothing more than to curl up on the ground and go to sleep. Everything from the last couple days had caught up to me, leaving me empty and exhausted, torn and confused. After I got some sleep, maybe I’d be able to think clearly and decide what to do next.

Because right at the moment, I had no idea.

I bit back a groan as we climbed up a hill. I would not admit how tired I was. Saber pulled away from me and took my hand, threading our fingers together. My stomach swooped, but I kept my expression bland and my eyes glued ahead.

At the top of the hill, I could see down into a small valley filled with trees of every color. The waning light of the sun set the valley on fire. A small cottage sat in the middle of the trees, small and quaint. Was this the safe house? Not at all what I expected. It was charming, like something out of the books I read as a child.

With the end of our journey in sight, a burst of energy crashed through me and my steps hastened on our way down the hill. I hoped they had a bath in there. I couldn’t remember the last time I bathed in anything other than cold streams and rivers.

Saber led me up onto the small covered porch while Whist unearthed the key from a hiding place behind one of the shutters and unlocked the door.

It was musty and dusty inside, but otherwise neat and clean and welcoming. Sunlight filtered through the windows, lighting up the dust motes. The cottage was small, one main room with a sofa and two plush chairs and a small eating and cooking area towards the back. Three closed doors led to other rooms and hopefully a washroom.

“Make yourself at home, doll. The middle door is the washroom if you want a bath. The door on the left will be your room if you want.” Sky gestured to the closed door.

“Where will the rest of you sleep?” Not with me.

Sky grinned. “Saber and I will share the other bedroom and Whist usually takes the sofa anyway.”

Whist probably wanted to guard the door. From invasion and to keep me from escaping. I’d bide my time. I was no moron. They were my safest option for the time being. They’d do anything to keep me safe. There would come a point where they let their guard down and I’d have the chance to disappear.

I closed myself inside the room Sky pointed out, breathing deeply at finally being alone. Since they were just in the next room and I wasn’t trying to get away from them, my body didn’t protest the separation. There was a slight emptiness, but nothing as uncomfortable as before. If I gave into the bond, the pain and uncomfortable sensations would lessen and eventually fade. It was the bond trying to force the connection.

And I did not like being forced.

Instead of rejoining the assassins after my bath, I pulled out some of my food and munch it on my new bed. The room was basic — a surprisingly large bed in the center of the wood floors, a small set of drawers in the corner, a green rug by the bed, a small table with a lantern and a few candles. I locked the door leading into the washroom since both bedrooms had private access to the washroom and I didn’t want any surprise guests.

Once I finished my meager dinner, I brushed away the crumbs and slid under the covers. I didn’t know how the assassins set up this house or why, but it wasn’t a bad place to hide out. I sank into the plush mattress, choosing a spot right in the middle of the massive bed.

All three assassins could have easily fit in there with me and left room to spare.

I shoved away the thought and just enjoyed being in a real bed. I was so used to the hard forest floor as a bed, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to sleep on something so soft. But it was so glorious and comfortable, I was unwilling to move.

It didn’t take long for sleep to find me.

I floated away on my bed of clouds, feeling safe for the first time, maybe ever.