Chapter 47 Sarcasm And Saviors
Chapter Forty-Seven
Sarcasm And Saviors
Ellis
How quickly the fight ended. One minute, we were literally fighting for our lives, and the next, nothing. Everyone was just gone. Like they were ghosts. Or shadows. Shit, Tristan! Spinning to face him, Ellis erupted.
“You Gods damned idiot. Have you no respect for your own life? Why would you do that?” Ellis grabbed Tristan by the face, shouting directly at him. He ripped off his coat to press it to the wound.
Tristan grunted in pain. “Can’t you just say thank you? Why do you have to be so dramatic?” Tristan ground out, slowly getting to his feet. “You would’ve done the same for me.”
Ellis slipped his arm around Tristan’s waist, taking most of his weight, his other hand still pressed firmly against his wound.
“Where are Alex and Althea?” Davin asked, trying to catch his breath.
Their heads swiveled, taking in the room.
Bodies covered the floor. Mostly guards.
Nothing moved. He could see Rivka’s body, still draped in the sheet on the table, looking like she was just in a blissful sleep.
The chairs had been knocked over. There was blood everywhere, but no sign of the two women anywhere.
“Did you see anyone grab them?” Ellis asked, worry lacing his tone.
“No! I made sure they were behind us when everything went to shit.” Davin said, shaking his head, slightly panicked. “They couldn’t have gotten past me.”
“Um, if we are done with the twenty questions, boys, would you like to follow me? I’ll show you where they are.” A voice said, emerging from the shadows behind them all.
Davin took a step forward, his gaze hardening.
“Who the hell are you, and why should we trust you? What have you done with her-them?" Ellis didn’t miss the correction.
The woman cast a look of annoyance his way. “Who I am is unimportant. I’ve given you no reason to distrust me! I just fought alongside you to protect them, for Gods’ sake!”
“I know exactly what you are”, Davin growled.
“Oh, please, do enlighten me then,” she purred. “I would really love to see if you are as smart as you think you are.”
Ellis and Tristan stood still, heads moving between them, confused.
Davin clenched his hands at his sides. "You're a Thorn, and since you were left behind to retrieve us, I am assuming a high-ranking one.”
A flicker of shock passed over her face before returning to a bored expression. “Well, well, aren’t you a surprise.”
“What do you mean, a Thorn?” Ellis asked, still looking between the two.
Neither answered nor even acknowledged that they heard him at all.
Davin went to move again, but she lifted her dagger and pointed it at him.
“You should probably call off your pet, boys. The Black Thorn would be very upset if I had to kill this one.” She exuded a calm, steady presence that Ellis couldn’t deny.
Tristan cleared his throat. “I have no idea what is going on here, but we need to get out of here and find Alex and Althea. They are our priority now.”
Davin let out a breath, still glaring at the Thorn. “Fine, but she stays in front the entire time. I don’t trust that she won’t stab me in the back.”
She grinned at him, “Oh come now, where would the fun in that be? Let’s go, we need to catch up. It has already been a long night.”
She turned and walked towards the tunnel at the backside of the room. Realizing that they weren’t following, she spun back around, throwing her arms wide.
“What now?” she demanded.
Ellis turned towards Rivka’s body, walking to her side, gazing down at her serene face.
“We can’t leave her.” his voice gentle, filled with grief.
Tristan moved to his side, his hand gripping the back of Ellis’ neck, squeezing soothingly.
“We have to, El. I swear I will make sure that she makes it home to her parents. She will get the burial she rightfully deserves.”
“How can you be so sure, Tristan? You are a wanted man now. Luther labeled you a traitor. You can’t even go home.” Ellis snapped, shrugging his hand off of him. His emotions were a mess right now, and he couldn’t handle pity from anyone.
“I promise you, Ellis, the Black Thorn has already prepared for her to be moved to a secure location. She won’t be left alone,” the Thorn said earnestly. “I know you don’t trust me, but I never break my word.”
Davin snorted derisively but didn't comment further. Ellis grasped the edge of the sheet covering Rivka’s body.
“I love you, my Queen. Rest well.”
He placed a kiss on her forehead, pulling the sheet over her face, unable to hold back his tears. He stood up, moving to Tristan’s side again.
“Let’s go. The women need us.”
The Thorn rolled her eyes as she turned, but Ellis caught the hint of a smile on her upturned lips.
“The name’s Bronwynn, in case anyone was wondering,” she added, strutting into the tunnel. This time, they followed.