Page 29 of The Bones of the Cursed

After a brief talk with the Elves, they both agree to take a second look at Alanis to ensure she truly is unharmed. As soon as they disappear into my tent, I check in with my soldiers, ensuring they’re not hurt as they go about setting up camp: collecting firewood, preparing rabbits caught during the day, lining the campsite with torches to ward off ghouls.

It’s three of the Fae in my charge who catch my attention, standing in a small cluster with their heads bowed, voices too quiet to overhear. I casually make my way over and ask, “What are you all whispering about?”

All three of their heads whip around, but it’s Siveral who answers me. “Orion and Alvar are concerned with why the Banshee seemed to target Alanis. They fear that there are darker forces at work and are not sure if this mission is worth risking the wrath of the Gods. They feel she is putting everyone at risk.”

When I look to them, they avert their eyes. “So let me get this straight,” I say. “You want to abandon the soldiers and head back home? Let me remind you that we did not force you to come—you volunteered and knew that there was some tie to Alanis before we even left the juncture.”

It’s the silver-haired Fae, Alvar, who speaks up. “Sir, we mean no disrespect. We didn’t realize that every damn creature might target us specifically on this journey, and it is our duty to keep the citizens safe. If we go to local towns and villages, we take the chance of leading these creatures into more populated areas.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose as frustration takes hold of me. They have a point. If everything is centered on Alanis, these creatures will keep coming for her. We can’t risk taking her to more populated areas and putting others in danger. But if we leave her behind, she is left alone and vulnerable. I open my mouth, not sure what’s about to come out, but Novus and Sarya emerge from my tent before I can speak. “We will discuss this later, give me a moment.”

With that, I turn on my heel and head over to hear the verdict on Alanis.

Novus is the one who comes to me while Sarya and Hannah grab something to eat.

“Alanis seems unharmed. Neither of us can feel any illness or injury lingering from the Banshee. There is something strange, though.”

The relief was short-lived. “Strange,” I repeat.

“Usually, when we check for injuries to the brain, we can sometimes find ourselves in memories or even feel emotions. With Alanis, there’s nothing.”

I frown. “I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying that the Banshee’s scream wiped her memory?”

Novus looks to the sky, like he is trying to figure out the best way to explain it to my dumb ass. “It is like she has a shield over her mind. There is this wall we hit that we can’t seem to get through.”

“Do you think it’s some sort of spell?”

Novus shakes his head. “If it was a spell, we would be able to feel it. Spells leave behind their own mark, an imprint of sorts. There is a darkness to it.” He pauses and looks me in the eye. “I’m not sure why or how it’s possible, but it is cloaking a lot, not just memories or emotions. When we pressed up against it, it was like something was fighting to get free.”

A shudder runs through me. “What are you implying?”

He purses his lips in thought, then shakes his head. “Whatever is happening, I am a firm believer that it revolves around Alanis. What is concealed within her is powerful. Alanis might be the key to figuring out what is happening to the soldiers, but be aware that it might cost you all, especially her.”

I blink. “What do you mean by that?”

He looks at me with pity. “You care for the human. You might not want to, but you do, and that makes you blind to the dangersurrounding her.”

I growl, “Stop reading my mind, Elf.”

He raises his hands, as if to ward off my rising anger. “I’m not sure what led Alanis here, but I do believe she is the key. I think the Fates have entwined her story with a very grim and powerful one—one she most likely won’t survive.”

I stare at him, unwilling to acknowledge his words. Acknowledging them makes them real.

Instead, I duck into my tent and set up my bedroll next to Alanis. I lay on my side and watch the steady rise and fall of her chest. The assurance that she is still breathing lulls me into a fitful sleep, nightmares plaguing me. Some are memories of my father and the sharp sting of his belt when I disappointed him. Others are full of the love I once had and lost. The female I loved destined for another.

The worst of them feature Alanis laying on the ground, eyes open and unseeing.

When I jolt awake, breathing hard, it’s to a hand resting gently on my chest, as if to feel for my heartbeat. I look over to check on Alanis, my dream still clinging to me like a leech. My breath gets lodged in my throat.

“You’re awake.”

- ALANIS -

I stare at Kailu, unable to look away. I take in every inch of his face and body, unashamed of my blatant ogling. I thought I was going to die, and in that moment, I regretted not living my life to its fullest. I have been going through the motions, just happy to have a safe place to call home again, too scared to really live.

Kailu pisses me off more than anything, but my body doesn’t seem to care. Even from the start I couldn’t seem to stopadmiring how handsome he is. Three days I have known him, but it feels somehow longer. In what I thought was my dying moment, all I could think of was what it would be like to kiss him.

Everything in my body hurts. It feels as if I ran for miles. My neck is stiff, my arms and legs aching like I’m sick, though I know I’m not. I have no clue how long I have been out of it, but Kailu looks as if he hasn’t slept in days.

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