Page 25 of The Bones of the Cursed

I jerk my head in his direction. “What does that even mean?”

“We don’t need to figure this out now,” Hannah says, as if sensing my anxiety. “We can piece this mess together while we figure out where the soldiers are, but we are wasting time.”

Nodding, I try to focus. I’m fully aware that what she says makes sense, but my brain refuses to work. It’s latched onto this theory, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. If it was my fate tied to this realm, then does that mean it’s my fault Elion is gone?

Kailu grips my chin between his fingers, forcing me to lookhim in the eye. I’m not sure when he dismounted, but it’s grounding to find him so close. “It is not your fault your brother was taken. Do you hear me? It is not your fault and we will get him back.”

I feel the burning behind my eyes, but can do nothing to stop the tears from falling this time. How could he have known those were my fears?

The tears flow freely and Kailu gently brushes them away. “It is not your fault,” he whispers to me.

I breathe in his woodsy scent, letting it calm me. His gentleness shocks me, but it is not unwelcome. It’s almost too comfortable, how good it feels.

“Thank you.” I swear his eyes glitter.

“Let’s head out!” he orders his soldiers before turning to the Elves. “You are welcome to ride with us until you get back home.”

They look to each other and then give a slight bow. “We would greatly appreciate that,” says Sarya.

- ELION -

“Eli!”

I turn towards my five-year-old sister running towards me across the barren cornfield. I’m out helping Father prepare the land for the new season, removing any large stones and making sure the moisture level isn’t too high. She’s in her usual white chemise with her pink tunic over top that she refuses to take off, her bright blue hat at odds with her yellow boots. I shake my head at the absurdity of her outfit. Mother stands on the porch with a smile on her face.

“Eli!”

Alanis screams my name again, but it isn’t her playfulscream as before, and she sounds older. The sheer terror on her face has my heart hammering. The cornfield is burning. I try to run to her, to shout for Mother and Father, but I can’t move. White bony fingers grab my arms and drag me backwards, away from Lani. She’s screaming my name.

I can’t get to her.

The arms reach out from the ground and grab her.

“LANI!” I scream, thrashing against the skeletal arms.

I wake with a jolt, sweat coursing down my brow. My memories all blurred together in one horrific nightmare, leaving me with ragged breathing. I’m just thankful Alanis is safe. I take a breath and look to the other soldiers chained in this small stone room, the only light coming from beneath the iron door directly across from where I’m shackled to the wall. The tangy smell of mold hangs heavy in the air.

I’m not sure why they took us or where we are, but they’ve only come back once since dragging us from our post. They took six of us, but only four are in this cell. I have no idea what happened to Hammon or Matix.

I meet Levi’s eyes across the room.

“You all right?” he asks.

“As best I can be in the situation.”

He gives me a small smile. “You were yelling for Lani.”

I swallow hard. “Sorry about that. Nightmare.”

He nods in understanding. “Do you think she’s all right?”

Levi’s relationship with my sister is over now and I’ve never attempted to figure out what happened. His story doesn’t align with the nights she spent crying in her room.

One thing I do know is that he cares for her, no matter what happened before.

“I’m sure she’s struggling, probably causing issues trying to get the others to come find me.”

He chuckles and goes quiet. “What do you think they want with us?”

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