Page 28 of The Bones of the Cursed

My heart sinks, though it’s truly nothing I haven’t already considered with what I escaped from. “How do you know?”

“I was sent here to send a message. If some died of fear in the process, then even better for my master. Death is my curse. I give warning of impending death or I bring death with just atouch.”

“That sounds like an awful way to live.”

“I do not know any other way. My current master has control of me through my bones. There’s only one way to end it: my bones must be found and laid to rest.”

The soldiers are starting to overcome whatever her scream did to them, moving slowly, as if still in pain. Kailu staggers to his feet.

“I must go. Be cautious, death is imminent.” She goes to stand and I grab her hand.

She looks at our joined hands with such longing. How long has this woman gone without true contact with another being, except in death?

“I am sorry that you are forced to live this way. Let us help you.”

She looks at me for a second longer before her body starts to slowly disappear. All the same, she brings her soft hand down to caress my cheek. “You are too good for the hand the Fates have dealt you. Find the throne and you will find what you need.”

I open my mouth to ask what she means, but she vanishes from sight, as if she’d never been.

Kailu drops to his knees in front of me, taking my face in his hands. He’s talking to me, but I can’t hear him. I’m overcome with such a heaviness that it’s impossible to keep my eyes open.

I see Kailu’s face, filled with concern and worry.

I wish I could console him, but something drags me under.

13

- KAILU -

SOMETHING STRANGE

“Alanis?” I shake her, but she doesn’t respond.

I can feel raw fear begin to crawl up my spine, my hands clammy, and adrenaline courses through my body, making me dizzy. Trying to calm myself with a deep breath helps, but not much. Sarya leans down next to Alanis and places her hand on her chest.

“She seems unharmed. I am guessing she passed out from the stress.”

I release the breath trapped in my lungs and pick Alanis up to carry towards Zephyr. Hendrix ambles closer, wiping blood from his ears as he peers over the Elf’s shoulder. “I’ll hand her up to you once you mount Zephyr.”

Nodding, I quickly get situated onto Zephyr’s back and gingerly lean Alanis against my chest. “Let’s keep moving,” I say. “We need to make it a little further today before settling down for the night.”

As we continue on, I rub my temples, still fighting the headache that the Banshee’s scream left behind. The absolute terror of realizing what creature stared back at us will forever be ingrained in my memory.

I could do nothing to help Alanis. She stared directly at me as the thing loomed over her, almost as if she didn’t want to look away. I have no idea what the Banshee said to Alanis, but seeing her drag her finger along her face made something in my soul shrivel up and die.

Everyone in this realm has learned to fear a Banshee’s touch. I couldn’t protect her. I fought like hell to get to her, no matter how many times the pain knocked me to my knees, rendering me immobile.

I look up at her and can’t help but appreciate the rise and fall of her chest. She is stunningly beautiful, but it is so far beyond that now. I haven’t known her long, but she is slowly working her way under my skin. Something about her drew me in, even when I couldn’t stand her. I was annoyed by her sass and attitude at first, but now I realize it is because she is brave and sure of herself. She is headstrong and too smart for her own good.

I don’t know much about her, but I find myself wanting to learn. I want to uncover every piece of her.

The sun is just starting to creep toward the horizon. Alanis is still unconscious. I scope out the area before me. Mountains loom ahead and to the side, providing protection from the elements. I signal to set up camp and walk Zephyr to one of the few trees in the area. I gently hand Alanis down to Hendrix, who cradles her to his chest as I set up my tent. Placing Alanis inside, I softly move her chestnut hair from her face. Her breathing is steady, her face serene.

When I come out, Hannah is waiting for me, eyes wet. She still has scrapes and bruises from falling off the horse, and dried blood in trails from her ears thanks to the Banshee’s scream.

“Do we think she’s all right? That Banshee scream didn’t harm her brain or anything like that, did it?”

“I’m not sure,” I say. “Why don’t you sit with her? I’m going to talk to Novus and Sarya and see what they can do for her.”

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