16. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Alena!”
Titus and another muscled slaver fell upon Katell and beat her down with their fists.
Alena’s heart seized. “Kat!”
What was happening? Had they been betrayed?
She lunged at the slavers, but Scorilo grabbed her by the waist and shoved her, face first, against the nearest tree trunk. The jagged bark scraped her cheek and hands, and the tip of his knife pricked her neck.
“What are you doing?” Katell’s muffled voice shouted.
“Keep quiet,” Scorilo snapped, “or I’ll slice your sister’s pretty neck. Titus, keep her busy.” He planted his torch in the ground, then turned to the other prisoners, addressing them in a foreign tongue.
The Parthian girl’s wide, tearful eyes looked away.
They all looked away, and Scorilo’s intent became all too clear.
Fear gripped Alena, its icy claws sinking into her core.
Scorilo tugged her hair back, twisting her head to the side, and his scarred face came into view. Under the torch’s flickering glow, he seemed monstrous, his dark eyes gleaming with an ominous sense of anticipation.
“We have something to finish, you and I,” he purred.
Her body seized, and her heart beat so fast, it was sure to burst from her chest. The blade disappeared from her neck, and his hand snaked around her waist instead, sliding beneath her tunic.
The air in her lungs stilled, and her legs almost gave out.
Scorilo’s large frame pinned her front against the tree, and she struggled to move, to think, to breathe. Her chained hands were useless.
Beneath her tunic, his hand grasped her hip, struggling to pull down her hemp trousers.
A wrenching sob escaped her. “Please… don’t…”
“Keep quiet, sweet girl, and you may actually enjoy this.” His foul breath filled her nose, and a fresh wave of tears ran down her cheeks.
In the next beat, his heavy weight and stench vanished, replaced by a groan and dull thud.
Alena’s legs buckled, and she crumpled to the ground, shaking all over.
“Alena.”
When she glanced over her shoulder, Katell stood in the shadows, dark swaths of blood splattered across her face and clothes.
Scorilo lay dead at her feet.
Her sister’s eyes blazed in the darkness. A heavy, palpable power rolled off her, permeating the air. Alena stilled, unease washing over her. Her insides curled, and the hairs on her arms stood on end. Every instinct urged her to run away from the oppressive feeling that was Katell’s magic.
In the darkness, a blade flashed in the torchlight.
Katell twisted out of the way with inhuman agility, parrying another slaver’s sword in the nick of time.
The attacker sneered. “Think you can get away?”
He punched her in the face and thrust his blade again. Alena opened her mouth to scream but stopped short when Katell grasped the slaver’s sword with her bare hand, lips curled into a snarl.
Alena gasped. Without a hint of hesitation, Katell held the sharp blade, thick blood trickling down her arm. Caught off guard, the slaver blinked before Katell tugged him forward and plunged her own blade into his side, underneath his leather armour.
The slaver dropped to his knees with a grunt. Katell yanked her blade out, a wicked smile contorting her features, and he keeled over. “Four down, dozens more to go.”
A knot formed in Alena’s stomach. She’d already killed four?
Her eyes sought confirmation. Sure enough, on the dark forest floor, beyond Scorilo, lay two more bodies—Titus and the other slaver who’d beaten Katell down.
Alena’s thoughts scattered until a sharp tug on her chains pulled her attention. Emerging from their stupor, the other prisoners called out to them, asking to be freed.
Searching Scorilo’s pockets, Katell found a set of keys and then pried the dagger from his hand. “I’ll head back to the camp and distract the remaining slavers.”
“Wait, Kat—”
Her sister grabbed her by the arms, hauling her up onto unsteady legs. “Don’t freeze now, little star. You can do this.”
Katell pushed the keys and dagger into Alena’s hands. Her sister’s stifling magic was gone, replaced by a fierce expression that Alena knew well. The same look she’d had any time she’d protected Alena from a threat.
“Free the prisoners, then go find Leukos.”
Alena nodded, and Katell kissed her forehead before rushing into the darkness.
With trembling fingers, Alena freed herself from the iron chains before grabbing more weapons from the dead slavers and throwing them to the closest prisoners. She unlocked the Parthian girl’s manacles, who watched in silence, her amber-coloured eyes brimming with tears.
“You’re free,” Alena said. “Now go. Go!”
Alena worked her way down the line of prisoners, struggling to keep her hands steady. All around her, men and women cried out and tugged at their chains. Another line of slaves standing nearby overcame their slavers, and soon prisoners were running in every direction, desperate to escape. The first warning shouts echoed from the camp.
Grabbing a torch from the ground, Alena rushed through the dark forest, approaching line after line in search of Leukos. The pounding of her heart resonated with the ceaseless roar of a nearby river as she scoured the trees.
There were no slavers in sight. Katell’s plan to draw them out was working, and the other prisoners either peered at or called to her.
“Alena!”
Leukos’ familiar cloaked figure appeared, and she raced towards him.
“What happened?” he asked.
“That man—Scorilo—he attacked me.” Her breath caught in her throat. Her hands shook with growing intensity as she tried key after key to unlock his manacles. “Katell killed him and some other slavers, then headed back to the camp.”
The key turned, and the thick iron bands fell to the ground with a thud. Large, steady hands covered her small, trembling ones.
She recoiled, but Leukos pulled her closer. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
Her gaze snapped up to his face, but tears blurred her vision.
“You’re shaking…” The concern in his voice was unexpected but soothing. “Take a deep breath.”
The warmth of his skin seeped into hers, and she breathed in his enticing scent. Pine trees, a campfire, and just a hint of spice. His presence was oddly comforting for a stranger.
After a moment, he let go, and she wiped her eyes. Katell would be displeased if she cried.
“We need to go.” Leukos massaged his blistered wrists and started heading deeper into the forest, away from the camp.
“No, wait!” Alena grasped his cloak. “We can’t leave yet. I need to find my satchel first.” She wouldn’t leave without her mother’s torc.
His eyebrows rose. “Forget your belongings, Alena! We need to leave now before Kurush and the others come after us.”
“No, you don’t understand—I need it. Besides, we have to help Kat!”
Before he could stop her, she slipped past him and ran back towards the camp. Her sore feet ached in protest, snagging against roots and rocks, but she pushed on, ignoring the pain. Finding Katell was more important.
Leukos called after her, but she kept running until bright flames erupted beyond the treeline.
The camp was in chaos.
Prisoners were scattering in all directions, some running into the dark forest, others fighting off the remaining slavers. Two prisoners attempted to release an old woman still trapped in chains. A small, frightened girl, crouched behind a wagon, called for her mother.
Katell stood near the wagons, using her strength to throw a slaver off her. He landed in the fire pit and shrieked as the flames licked at his clothes and skin.
Through the commotion, the sisters’ gazes met, and Katell pointed at the nearby supply cart. Then she swung her sword to hack away the chained doors enclosing the Non-Humans’ wagon.
Leukos appeared at Alena’s side, holding a torch in one hand and a slaver’s bronze dagger in the other. “What is she doing?”
“Making a bigger distraction,” Alena said. “Come on—help me.”
Alena ran to the supply cart with Leukos trailing closely behind. He hoisted her onto the cart’s wooden planks and passed her the torch. She searched the multitude of amphorae and bags, but the familiar leather satchel was nowhere to be found.
They couldn’t go much longer without notice. The slavers would descend upon them, and they couldn’t have journeyed this far, risking their lives, only to lose their mother’s necklace—the only clue she and Katell had to find their true parents.
Still holding the torch, she squeezed her free hand between the stacked amphorae and pushed aside the sealed pots of food. A dark patch behind a basket of bread caught her attention, and she reached to pull out her satchel. Her heart leapt when, searching inside, her fingers met the familiar, cool metal.
She broke into a smile. “I found it, Leukos. Let’s go!” She turned, slipping the strap over her shoulder, and froze.
Dagger raised, Leukos was facing the two-headed hound. It prowled forward, the camp’s shimmering firelight dancing in its menacing black eyes. Its growls sent chills down Alena’s spine. Heart racing, she grabbed Leukos by the arm and helped him onto the cart.
“Now what?” she asked.
The beast followed, hoisting its enormous front paws onto the cart, and they scurried back.
Leukos held his blade out, still trying to intimidate the hulking beast. “Alena, get back!”
Out of nowhere, a loud crash jolted their attention away from the hound.
One of the iron-shod wagons toppled over, its doors bursting open in a flurry of chains. The entire camp seemed to come to a standstill, with every eye fixated on the creatures locked inside.
A handful of slavers rushed forward in a futile attempt to shut the doors. Before they could close them, three stout men emerged from the shadowy interior and knocked the slavers away with their bare hands. Aside from the simple loincloths wrapped around their waists and their shorter stature, the Non-Humans looked almost exactly like men. Dark hair covered their muscled bodies, and their faces featured prominent, thick brows. Dazed, the three males stared at the chaotic scene.
Gathering their wits, half a dozen slavers hurried to encircle them, but the Non-Humans barrelled through, armed only with their fists. Their uncanny strength seemed to rival Katell’s.
The trio headed towards the other wagons, and the two-headed hound sprinted furiously after them.
“Go, now!” Leukos jumped off the cart and helped Alena down. They fled, heading for the cover of the forest.
As they reached the tree line, Alena stopped in her tracks. “Where’s Kat?”
Her sister’s dark braid was nowhere to be seen at the campsite. Groups of prisoners fought the slavers, protecting the women and children as they attempted to escape. The Non-Humans broke open another wagon, releasing their brethren trapped inside, and together, the group encircled the massive, snarling hound.
Another wagon collapsed into the fire pit with a deafening roar and erupted into flames, illuminating the whole camp.
Leukos seized Alena’s wrist and pulled her back, shielding his eyes from the sudden heat. “We have to go. Your sister’s the distraction. That was the plan.”
Thick smoke roiled through the air, and Alena’s chest tightened. “Kat!” she screamed over the shouts and clash of swords. She tugged at Leukos’ firm grip, searching for her sister’s face among the fighters.
But Leukos didn’t let go. “If we don’t go now, we’ll waste our only chance.”
No. She couldn’t leave without Katell. Her sister would be forced into slavery or killed.
Alena yanked her hand free and delved back into the chaos, screaming until her throat turned raw. “Kat!”
Another prisoner, eyes wide with terror, knocked her down in his haste to flee.
She clutched her satchel to her chest and pushed on. “Kat!”
The clang of blades caught her attention. There she was—behind an overturned wagon, fending off two hefty slavers.
“Alena!” Katell kicked one of her opponents away and smashed the hilt of her sword into the second one’s face. With a sickening crack, he dropped to the ground and did not move. “Go!”
“No! I’m not going without you!”
The first slaver recovered quickly and lunged at Katell again. She spun out of his way, dodging the blade slicing towards her neck. She rolled across the ground and snatched a dagger from a dead slaver. The blade whipped through the air and embedded itself into the slaver’s neck.
Fighting to catch her breath, Katell propped herself up with her sword and lifted her sharp green gaze. “Alena, we had a plan—”
“No, you had a plan!” Alena shouted, finally able to voice the thought she’d withheld all day. “You and Leukos. But I’m not leaving you behind. We made a promise, remember? Please, let’s just go!”
Katell shook her head. “You don’t understand. They won’t stop coming. Someone has to stop them. Someone—”
She broke off, eyes widening.
Alena turned to follow her gaze.
The Gifted warrior charged straight towards them through the camp. His dark tunic was torn at the shoulder and drenched in blood. With a round shield in one hand and a spear in the other, he thundered towards them.
The air shifted between them, turning thick and heavy, and the same ethereal golden light Alena had seen when he’d first fought Katell swathed his torso and head. When it receded, a shimmering, chiselled bronze breastplate and helmet encased him.
His Gifts.
Katell scrambled over the upturned wagon. “Alena, run!”
The warrior lifted his spear and, with a furious roar, launched it directly at Alena.
Her limbs turned to lead, locking in place as her eyes fixated on the bronze-headed spear sailing towards her.
She’d been a fool to run into danger with only a dagger for protection. Katell was right: she was weak.
“Alena!” Katell screamed.
A firm body shoved her to the ground, knocking the air from her lungs.
When she looked again, Leukos was crouched over her, his face close enough that his warm breath fanned across her cheeks. Above them, he gripped a huge, circular shield.
“Leukos…” Alena stared into his eyes. Up close, they were a mesmerising shade of obsidian with subtle flecks of ice blue that seemed to harbour all his secrets. Her cheeks flushed before her gaze turned to the bronze spear tip that had pierced through the leather and wooden shield.
Stars be praised, he’d saved her life.
“Stay still.” Leukos sat back on his haunches and glanced over the shield’s rim.
Katell appeared in the next beat and sliced off the wooden spear before claiming the shield from him. “Get her out of here.”
Her sister rushed forward to meet the blond warrior, and the collision of their swords echoed through the camp.
Leukos grabbed Alena and hauled her back.
A wave of panic engulfed her. “No, I’m not leaving. Kat, I’m not leaving you!”
“Leukos, remember your promise!” Katell ducked behind the shield as the warrior’s sword slashed at her. “We only have one chance. Go—now!”
Leukos’ grip tightened around Alena’s arm. Her heart rammed into her throat as hot tears stung her eyes.
“We stick together!” Alena switched to their native Freefolk tongue, anguish straining her voice. “We stick together—that’s what you said. You wouldn’t leave me, no matter what!”
“We’ll be slaves.” Her sister danced around the warrior’s attacks, her chest heaving. “They’ll brand us as slaves and sell us to cruel masters. They’ll separate us.” She ducked again, dodging the warrior’s sword, and raised her shield. “But this way you can be free, little star. You can be free.”
Alena remained rooted at Leukos’ side, tears pouring down her face as her sister sacrificed herself before her eyes.
“Alena.” Leukos’ expression softened. “Don’t let it all be for nothing.”
With a trembling lip, she looked back at her sister holding her ground against the Gifted warrior, shield raised high.
“I’ll find you.” Alena’s voice faltered and cracked. “I promise… No matter where they take you… I will find you.”
Katell peeked over her shoulder, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. “I know. Now be brave and go!”
Suppressing a sob, Alena relented, letting Leukos pull her away. With one final glance at her sister, she turned, and they both sprinted for the forest.
Shouts echoed behind them, but they dashed through the towering trees without stopping. Leukos took the lead, his firm grip on Alena’s hand never waning.
She pressed on, her laboured breaths intertwined with the jumble of her racing thoughts. Every step farther from her sister was agony, and the ache in her heart tore at her, chipping away at her strength.
But she wouldn’t disappoint Katell. She would escape for now, and at the first opportunity, she would find her way back to her.
Sinewy roots and tangled shrubs tugged at her feet and tore at her legs, but she kept running. She had no idea where Leukos was taking her nor which direction they were headed in. There was only the Megarian’s broad back before her, shielding her from the world.
Soon, the rumbling sound of the river grew louder, and the trees gave way to a rocky riverbank. The dark body of water tumbled below them, barely visible in the night but deafening to the ears.
Leukos stepped close to the edge and peered down at the mass of water.
“We can’t jump into the river.” Catching onto his plan, Alena shook her head. “It’s too fast!”
The slavers’ voices grew louder behind them, and she whirled around, spotting bright lights among the trees, like a dozen eyes blinking in the darkness.
They were trapped. The slavers were closing in, and the river blocked every other path.
“We can do it,” Leukos said, belting the bronze dagger. She didn’t know what gave him the confidence to think they could survive the jump, but the determined look on his face gave her faith.
Nodding, she crept to the edge of the rocks. She held the satchel close to her chest, staring at the dark waters below. Leukos took her hand once again in his.
Exchanging one last glance with him, she took a deep breath and jumped.