Page 1 of Forsaken Secrets

1

Kaiya

Islipped the coil of rope into my pack with the rest of my climbing gear and glared at the corset Sylvie had laid out for me the night before. I was already wearing full skirts. There was no way I was wearing that monstrosity as well.

Did she want me to suffocate while climbing through the ruins?

I glanced up at the window. The sky was still the dark blue of early morning. If I hurried, I'd be right on time.

I slipped the pack over my shoulder and crept out of my door and down the staircase, careful to avoid the creaky steps. The wood was cool beneath my feet, and I could smell the eggs and oats Sylvie was making for breakfast. My mouth watered. Maybe I could stop by the kitchen …

A throat cleared behind me, and my heart dropped. "Kaiya Maderoth, where do you think you're going?"

Damn. "Aunt Grace!" I turned to face her. “I'm sorry. I tried not to wake you."

Her brow lifted as her brown eyes swept over my ragged clothes and tangled blonde hair. It was a stark contrast to her neatly pinned grey curls and perfectly tailored maroon walking gown. My cheeks heated. Of course she'd already been awake.

"Are you going to those damn Druid ruins again? Sylvie saw your notes …" her silvery voice trailed off.

I winced. "I'm sorry for not telling you, but I have to at least try. If it works out, we can get the supplies to make all the dress orders for the Season AND pay off the debt."

She pursed her lips and glanced over at the large picture of Uncle Calix hanging in the hall.

My heart twisted, but I pushed away the feeling.

If I was going to find the Druid's relic, it would have to be there. I'd looked everywhere else.

Besides, this time I had plans, back-up plans, and back-up plans for my back-up plans. "You know he'd want me to try," I said, voice quiet.

She turned back and stared at me for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. Be careful, though. I'd better not get a visit from the constable saying you're at the hospital, again!"

I grinned, then bent and pressed a kiss atop her curly grey hair.

Her thin arms wrapped around me tightly and squeezed.

Today would be a turning point for us. I was sure of it.

* * *

The sun was just peeking over the horizon when I reached the edge of the fort. I stared at the long wall and flexed my fingers. At the opposite edge loomed a dense forest, and beyond that, the cove. If I could make it across the stone wall, I'd be clear.

I tied up my skirts around my waist, then pulled myself up against the stone.

Weeks of watching the guards do their patrols meant I knew their patterns like the back of my hand, and if my timing was right, they should be checking the other side of the fort right now.

But of course, I'd only made it a few feet when shuffling footsteps sounded on the other side of the wall.

Gods be damned!

"-- you hear the monster hunter is back in town?" a woman asked from the other side of the wall.

I froze, heart racing. If I didn't move, maybe they wouldn't notice me.

"Lynk? I heard he's hunting the vrytra. Them serpents finally got a contract out for their heads," replied a man.

I winced. The vrytra might be the monsters of nightmares — as large as a carriage with scaled bodies, sharp horns, and teeth designed to slash and tear — but the sea serpents were mostly peaceful.

So long as you didn't attack them, they'd keep their distance.

---