Chapter 16 #2
Thorne was the first to appear, his silhouette looming in the doorway of the small hut.
His sharp eyes scanned the scene instantly, taking in the bloodstained cloth wrapped around my side, the faint sheen of sweat on Elira’s face, and her tense posture—still as a statue, her shoulders drawn tight as if expecting another attack.
But before either of us could react, Leo was there, stepping past Thorne and closing the distance between himself and Elira.
He wrapped her in a strong, almost desperate hug, his large arms encircling her with a gentleness that surprised us all.
But Elira didn’t push him away. She froze for a moment, her eyes wide, before slowly relaxing into the embrace.
When he finally pulled away, it was as if he was checking for something, ensuring she was still there.
His gaze flicked to the bloodied cloth wrapped around my side, then to my pale face.
His expression softened, but the concern didn’t hide the faint edge of frustration in his voice. "You’re bleeding," he said, his hands reaching out towards me. "It looks bad!”
"I'm fine," I muttered again, my voice weaker this time. The words were hollower, like a broken record. I could feel the heat of the blood draining out of me, but I couldn’t allow myself to show weakness—especially not in front of Elira.
I didn’t want her to worry.
But Leo wasn’t buying it. He shifted closer, his sharp gaze flicking from the blood-stained cloth to my face. “Where’s Phoenix?” I asked, trying to shift the conversation away from my wound.
Thorne stepped into the hut fully now, his boots making a soft thud on the dirt floor as he crossed to stand beside us. "They dragged off some people," he said, his voice low, controlled. "Men, women—doesn’t matter. He’s chasing them now to see if he can figure out where they’re going."
I nodded, relief stirring in my chest at the thought of Phoenix following through on his instincts. He’d find something. He always did.
But then Thorne’s eyes shifted back to me, a harder edge to his voice. “How bad are you hurt?” he asked, his gaze briefly lingering on the bloodstains that marred my shirt. “Can you ride to the castle?”
I gritted my teeth, pain flaring up in my side with every movement. But I wasn’t about to be left behind. Not now.
“I’ll make it,” I said, though it sounded more like a challenge to myself than an actual statement of confidence.
Leo and Thorne exchanged glances, both of them unwilling to let me off that easy.
“You’re not making it anywhere if you don’t take care of that wound,” Leo said, the concern evident in his voice.
I exhaled slowly, the words coming out in a frustrated rush. “It’s not that bad, Leo. I’ve had worse.”
“Elira,” Thorne said, his tone steady but firm as he turned his gaze to her. "Get his gear. We’re not leaving until we’re sure Slade is stable."
Elira hesitated for a split second, but then she nodded, moving swiftly toward the small pile of supplies near the door. She grabbed my gear with efficient hands, her gaze flickering to me once more before she ducked out of the room.
I wanted to argue, to tell them that we didn’t have time to waste. But the dull throb in my side reminded me that, for once, I didn’t have all the answers.
Phoenix burst through the door, his breath ragged and his eyes wild. His boots scuffed against the floor as he came to a stop, his hands clenched at his sides. Everyone in the room shifted, immediately on alert.
Thorne was the first to speak, his voice low and sharp. "What did you find?"
Phoenix didn’t waste any time. He dropped a handful of blood-soaked flyers onto the floor, the red stain stark against the parchment. The symbol was unmistakable—a crude insignia of the resistance. “It’s them," he growled, his voice heavy with urgency. "Vael's men. The resistance."
Thorne's eyes narrowed as he bent down to pick one up. He scanned the flyer, his jaw tightening at the sight. "This is bad," he muttered under his breath, then looked back at Phoenix. "Tell me everything."
Phoenix's gaze flickered briefly to the floor before meeting Thorne’s, the weight of his words pressing down on him.
"I followed them. They’re dragging people—civilians—out of the city on to transports, and I couldn’t get close enough to hear everything they were saying, but…
I know they were talking about setting up something. A bigger operation."
Leo, who had been silent up until now, leaned forward, his voice low but edged with tension. "And the captives? Were they...?"
Phoenix clenched his fists, eyes burning with anger. "They were alive. But they’re taking them somewhere. I couldn’t catch them in time before they disappeared into the alleys. But I know where they're headed."
“Where?” Thorne asked.
“Darkmoor Forest.”
“Fuck.” Thorne cursed.
“What’s the problem?” Elira asked, folding her arms as she eyed the map over Thorne’s shoulder.
Thorne didn’t look up. His jaw tightened. “Darkmoor Forest sits at the base of the Widow’s Spine.”
Leo let out a low whistle. “That place is cursed.”
Phoenix nodded grimly. “It’s practically no man’s land. Bandits, twisted creatures, things that aren’t supposed to exist. Locals say even the trees whisper in there. Not many who go in ever come back out.”
“Great,” Elira muttered. “And that’s where they’re keeping the prisoners?”
“That’s what I heard,” Phoenix said, voice clipped. “One of them mentioned a stronghold past the forest—deep in the foothills. Said they’d be safe there, whatever that means.”
Elira’s eyes narrowed. “Safe for them. Not for us.”
Thorne finally turned to her. “It’s a death trap, Elira. They’ve likely carved out a fortress in one of the abandoned keeps beyond the ridge. If we go charging in without a plan, we won’t make it halfway through the trees before we are attacked.”
“So, we’re just going to let them take people?” Her voice sharpened, raw with frustration. “Let them vanish into the dark while we sit on our hands?”
Thorne met her gaze without flinching. “No. But we can’t save them if we’re dead.”
The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the distant howl of wind against the stone walls.
I shifted on the spot and let out an involuntary moan of pain.
Thorne’s jaw was tight. “You can’t keep going,” he said, looking at me. “Leo, take him and Elira back to Blackspire. Phoenix and I will track the ones they took.”
Elira stepped forward like she’d been stung. “You’re splitting us up now?”
“We don’t have a choice,” Thorne replied.
I shifted in the saddle. My side burned, and my arm was numb, but I didn’t let it show. Not much, anyway.
Phoenix came up, magic already stirring around his hands. “Let me patch you up before you ride—”
“No,” I said.
He frowned. “Slade, come on. You’re barely—”
“I said no.” My voice wasn’t loud. Just solid. “You’ll need everything you’ve got. For what’s ahead.”
His mouth worked, but he didn’t argue.
Elira turned on Leo. “You’re dragging me away from this? I’m not some damsel in distress here.”
Leo just looked at her. Calm.
“We all know you’re a badass, angel. But it’s not safe out here. The sentinels will be here soon to clean up, and we’ll just be in the way if we stay.”
“I can still fight.” She stepped forward. “I could come with you…”
Thorne and Phoenix both shook their heads before she could finish. “No,” Phoenix said.
“Absolutely not,” added Thorne.
“You’re exhausted. And you’re barely trained.” I grumbled.
“Pretty sure I just saved your ass out there, you big lug,” she snapped back.
I hid a smirk. But the truth was, I didn’t want her going either.
“Come back with me,” I said quietly.
Her head snapped toward me, and I felt the weight of her stare. I ignored the looks the others exchanged behind me.
I didn’t explain. Didn’t know how to say it without sounding like I cared more than I should.
She stared at me like she was searching for something.
Thorne didn’t wait. “Let’s go,” he told Phoenix. “We’ll catch their trail before it goes cold.”
Leo glanced at me, then at Elira. “You good to ride?”
I nodded once. That was enough.
We mounted up in silence. Elira didn’t speak. Didn’t look at me. But her knuckles were white on the reins.
As Leo led us out, I caught her eye just once.
She was furious.
Good.