59. Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Embla
Night fell while I was training with Alhena in the castle yards. She offered to escort me home after I showered and changed, but the tavern isn’t that far, and she’ll be able to button up the work she has left to do at the castle. I know I shouldn’t walk home alone, and it’s not like something will happen to me.
“We’re almost there,” I whisper to Aine who has made herself comfortable peeking out from the crook of my arm. I make the decision to turn off the main street and into an alley that seems like it will take us directly to the tavern.
“What’s a human like you doing with a Kith?” a male voice snakes through the darkness.
“She found me.” My voice shakes, but I stand my ground. I become hyper aware of the knife I have hidden in the waistband of my skirt. A gift from Alhena, one I refused at first, but I’m glad at this moment she convinced me to accept.
“Humans always feel entitled to other race’s traditions,” the fae male slurs, his face is red with drunkenness and his pig-like nose does nothing to compliment his round face, and dark buzz-cut hair. He waves his hand around while he talks, bringing my attention to the blade in his hand.
“They’re just jealous because we won’t let them have magic,” a second fae with long brassy blonde hair says from behind me, and my heart drops as I turn, trying to keep both fae males in my sights. I pull the knife from my skirt, brandishing it.
“She wants to fight boys,” a goading voice calls from the shadows. “Maybe we should do something about it,” a third fae male steps out of the shadows, surrounding me. I fight the urge to run. Standing my ground, I drop into a defensive stance that I learned earlier today. One of the fae males rushes me as I swipe with my knife. A line of blood blooms across his cheek. He raises his hand in disbelief and one of the other fae males growls. As if it’s a signal, all three rush me.
“Don’t touch me!” I cry swiping with the knife again, panic grips me as I slash frantically until the weapon is knocked away. It clatters along the ground as someone rips Aine from me.
Aine! Fight! My thoughts screech at her as the third fae forces me to bend at the waist face-first against a wall, shoving my hands up as far as my arms can reach. From behind, one of the fae males forces my legs apart with his knee. I try to remember the lesson Alhena taught me today, but my mind comes up blank.
“We’re going to do whatever we want to you,” one of them hisses into the shell of my ear followed by the ripping sound of my skirt.
I need to protect Aine. My foot connects with something forcing a pained grunt from one of the thugs. A fist connects with the back of my head and my mind swims.
I can’t lose consciousness.
My skin burns when they rip my underwear away, baring me to their leering. I want to cover myself, but they hold me still. No matter how hard I try, I am unable to move under their fae hands.
“Aine!” I fight with all my strength to turn away from the wall to find my Kith. Hands grip my hips and something hard presses against my opening. I scream as hot pain rips into me, tearing me in two as he drives inside of me.
They take turns, each of them becoming rougher as they enter me repeatedly. Bodily fluids drip to the ground. The smell of copper coats the air.
When they are done, they release me, letting me drop to the ground, too weak to stand. All I want is to find Aine and make sure she is okay. I hope they’ll leave, but growls and hisses fill the alley as they surround Aine. She tries to fight them.Then, I see a boot strike out, and there’s a heavy thump accompanied by a pained yowl. The silence that follows chills my heart. Warm liquid lands on me as I look up to see one of the males pissing over me, the other two covering Aine with their urine. Her body is slumped to the ground, her chest barely rises with each breath.
Aine, I mouth sending the thought to her and not getting a response. After we’ve been left alone, my arms give out as I try to drag myself up to my feet. I try again making it to my knees. I take a deep breath and force myself onto my feet. Soreness radiating throughout my body.
My steps are small and measured, and I drop to my knees in front of my companion. I wrap Aine in my arms before standing weakly. Aine’s breaths are shallow in my arms, and then they stop. I release a primal scream as the loss rips through my soul. Anger fills me, rage becoming a fuel like no other. All I wanted was a companion and I thought I found her. I thought this was supposed to be a safe place. A new home. But I was wrong. Tears stream down my face as I force my body to stand again. Aine’s body limp in my arms.
She’s going be okay, she has to be.
I start to run. I don’t know where I’m going, but I know I need to find somewhere safe. The idea of returning to the tavern where these men probably got drunk makes me nauseous so I run in the opposite direction.
I find myself crossing the white stone bridge into the Bjartr Forest. Thunder cracks across the sky as the heavens open and rain soaks my clothes as I try to shield Aine from the downpour. I run headfirst into a forest of pink glowing trees and white trunks. My mind returns to my worst nights, the days I spent in pain after the woods. My hand goes to my locket, and I have an idea.
If this helped me, maybe it’ll help her.
I pause in the middle of the forest and drop to my knees before placing Aine on the ground gently. My fingers tremble as I find the clasp to my locket. I close my eyes sending a silent prayer to anyone who will listen. I tug on the necklace, breaking the chain. I lay it across Aine’s body.
“Work, please, work.” I raise my hands over her head running them down her body. She loved pets especially in the morning. It was the best way to start the day. Her meows that only I could understand, and the name in kittish she gave me. My hands start to glow golden, but I know what comes next as my mind prepares itself for the agony that is sure to come. Instead, golden sparks emanate from my hands, landing on Aine. Her body absorbs them, and I hope it’s helping. The power coming from my hands grows until I scream, something tears through either side of my back. The magic falters before it stops completely, and I fall to the ground.