Chapter 28 Anastasius
“I think you should talk to him,” I advised Ercan as we made our way to my room after checking on the new prisoners. “You have to sort your shit out sooner or later, and he’s not going anywhere.” He gave me an uncertain look.
“What if he hates me?” His voice cracked on the question, and I gave him my most reassuring smile.
“Then you know he cares. Hatred is passion. Emotion. I think he came here expecting not to feel anything for any of us, but I don’t think that is the case at all.” We stopped outside of my room, but I didn’t open the door, waiting for my friend to make his decision. “I think he’s confused, yes. Conflicted, too, but I don’t think he would be here still if he hated De Vita. We aren’t the only place for disgraced Circulus to turn to.”
Ercan sighed and nodded. “When did you get so wise?” he teased, a spark of life entering his eyes.
I grinned at him but didn’t answer. Instead, I turned to my room and pushed open the door. We entered, sharing a chuckle that quickly died when I saw the empty room. The blankets were tossed aside, and the spot he had lain in was cold to the touch. I whipped around, scanning the closet and the corners, but it was pointless. He wasn’t here. My heart raced, instinctually knowing something was wrong.
“I left him right here.” I motioned to the bed. Perhaps he went for a flight? He loved the morning sun on his wings. I muttered profanities beneath my breath. What if he had followed me again? If he had . . . I spun around and barreled the way we came, Ercan hot on my heels.
It was too late. When we got back to the holding area for those captured, they were all gone. No curse was potent enough to express my fear for my Selected and the Circulus. Claeg didn’t know, couldn’t know, that I intended to release the draconis. Just another mistake of mine, and we were too late to fix it. Now, there were more pressing matters. It wouldn’t be long before Father discovered their disappearance. I had to ensure they all escaped safely. Why Claeg wanted to return to the Circulus was a mystery. I whipped around, doubling my speed. I made no excuse for pushing past anyone in my way as I darted past startled clan members. If Odon caught them . . . I couldn’t bear the thought. They hadn’t been Saved yet, the honor being reserved for the day the Choosing ceremony commenced. After an escape attempt, there would be no way for me to delay the inevitable any more. Their wings . . . they would be destroyed, not simply broken like Ercan’s. They would be shredded—peeling apart each scale and dissecting the dainty sinew. When they were no longer recognizable, Odon would burn them until they resembled charred flesh hanging off of charcoal bones. And then, when they believed nothing worse could be done, they would be taken. And if there were a worse fate, it would be reserved for their liberator, Claeg. Eleos.
I ran for the oasis, faster than ever before. When the sun finally hit my eyes, the outlines of a handful of draconis marked the southern sky. They could be anyone, leaving for just another patrol. I knew better than to hope for such a thing. I saw no witnesses around me. Please, spare my Eleos, I begged my gods and those of the Circulus. This was my fault. I hadn’t trusted him with the truth, nor protected him from my weakness—my father. He was safer away from De Vita. Away from me.