Page 14 of The Bones of the Cursed

This can’t be happening. I chose this realm to escape war. I don’t want to be dragged right into another one. I inhale for a count of seven, then exhale for a count of seven, and force myself to stay calm.

I nod. “Thank you for letting me know. Will you update me when you find out anything more?”

Kailu looks at me for a long moment, as if waiting for me to storm right past him, kitted up as I am. “Of course,” he says when I stay put.

With that, Hannah and I return to my cottage, bidding all a good day.

As soon as the door is shut, Hannah stares at me with wide eyes. “What is going on?” she whispers.

I shush her and move further into the house to get away from any prying Fae with extra sensitive hearing. “We’ll sneak out and follow them.”

If possible, Hannah’s eyes grow wider. “Are you insane? Are youtryingto get us killed? Or thrown in jail? He told us we areto stay put.”

“No, but I refuse to sit by and do nothing. Go home and pack, and I will meet you outside your house in an hour.”

Hannah grumbles but doesn’t argue. Peeking out the front window, I watch Kailu and a few soldiers depart, leaving only one to guard my front door. It seems overkill, given I haven’t seen any other soldiers guarding any other doors of the families of missing soldiers. Perhaps I’m simply special.

I peer out my back window and smile.

An hour later I slip through the back window, careful to make no noise for fear the soldier’s Fae hearing will pick up on it. Hell, I don’t even think I breathe until I’m hiding on the side of Hannah’s house. She tiptoes around the corner of her garden, finding me crouched down. I point in the direction I watched Kailu ride off, and once we are far enough down the trail turn to Hannah. “They came this way. These hoofprints are the freshest, and there are several of them on top of each other like a group passed through. These have to be theirs.”

Hannah shrugs. “If not, we’re wasting time.”

Frustration courses through me as I pull my hair back from my face. “I know, but I think it may be our best bet. I didn’t hear many travelers passing through since they left, especially in a group this large.”

Hannah’s expression is wary, but she nods. “Lead the way, then.”

The dusty road turns muddy as we head deeper into the woods surrounding the Outskirts. The slight breeze moving the ash trees leaves in a gentle motion, creating a hushed murmur. A howl of an animal in the distance sends goosebumps up my arms. The air is sticky, the smell of rain hanging heavy in the air. We hike for a few hours, so long that I worry we lost the soldiers and followed the wrong tracks—and then I hear murmurs up ahead.

Hannah and I sneak through the trees, the forest opening up to a small field. A small stream burbles close by, the soldier’s horses chomping away at the blades of grass and dandelions that blanket the area. We hide just out of sight as we listen to the soldiers. A soft rain beginning to fall.

“The trail was lost,” Kailu murmurs. “We need to head in that direction. I think it best to camp overnight…” His words fade out as he turns towards someone behind him. “…for safety reasons.”

I don’t actually have a death wish, though my pulse races at the thought of what is to come. When no conversation continues—at least that I can hear—I dare to creep along the edge of the clearing to try to overhear something useful—and step right onto a branch thatcracks. I freeze as Hannah curses and every soldier whirls, hands landing on the hilts of their swords.

I throw my hands up and say, “It’s just me!” since I’d rather not get stabbed.

Kailu’s shoulders slump with relief, though that doesn’t stop him from snapping, “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

“I won’t sit around and wait. My brother would do the same for me.”

“Yes, but your brother is a trained soldier. You are not.”

I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. “That doesn’t mean I don’t have the skills to do it.”

He sighs, glancing at the soldiers around him.

“I will not be a liability, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I blurt. “Both my father and brother taught me hand to hand combat, as well as how to wield a dagger. Elion and I train multiple times a week still. He always said we should be ready for anything. Plus, he was concerned with the increasing ghoul sightings so close to civilization and wanted me to be prepared.”

It’s tempting to mention my magic, but given how little training I have with it, it seems like something I should keep to myself. At least for now.

When Kailu says nothing, I add, “I can help. I’m good with maps and history. Ask Maryanna at the library. I have studied those maps, listened to every story she has to share, and studied this realm’s history for a year, learning hidden details. I’m a new set of eyes. Someone who hasn’t lived here their whole life and may be able to offer a fresh perspective. And Hannah is good with herbs and medicines and can help along the way with illness or injury.”

“Doesn’t sound like she will give up easily,” says a soldier whose name is Hendrix, if I heard Kailu correctly outside my house. “May just be easier to let them come along so we don’t waste time. We would lose hours off our journey if we took them back now.”

Kailu groans. “Fine, but you do as I say with no argument. Understood? If I say run, you run. If I say hide, you hide.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I got it.”

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