Page 94 of Glass and Bone
“We need horses.” Scarlett says as she looks around uncomfortably. Her hand is still tightly clasped in Rhea’s.
“Sybil is with Noterra’s guards.” Theo nods and grabs my hand again before pulling us deeper in the woods. I can hear Scarlett tripping over every rock and root and squealing when she sees a bug. It’s hard to keep a smile off my face as we all silently laugh, even though we are on the run from both my father and Enzo’s men. I can’t wait for them to come get me. Theo is right, I don’t know who Enzo is. I have to go home.
The trees break and I can see some of our guards milling about in their camp. Theo pulls me faster and we step into the clearing.
Everyone’s heads whip towards us as we stumble out between the trees. Sybil is tied up on one of the posts next to a beautiful white horse.Wyclif.
“Tobias?” I say out loud, knowing he is here somewhere. He steps out from under a tent, and I move to run towards him, but Theo’s hand tightens on mine, yanking me back. “Theo, let go.” I say as I pull on my arm.
“No, he’s been hurting you, Nora.” I shake my head as Tobias saunters over to us. His gait is slow, measured, as he assesses the situation.
“Theo, stop.” I whisper. Now is not the time or place for this discussion. Tobias reaches us, his fingers threading into my hair and yanking back, forcing me to look at him. Theo’s hand is still holding mine captive.
“When are you going to stopfuckingrunning?” His voice is laced with venom as he forces my head to tilt up. My eyes widen in surprise, and I gasp.
“Let go of her.” Theo snaps, stepping closer. Tobias’s fingers tighten, pulling my hair and I wince. My other hand reaches up to grip his wrist, hoping to ease some of the pressure.
“Ow, Tobias. Stop, please.” I cry out. Tobias looks at Theo’s hand wrapped around mine.
“Let go of my wife, Theo.” Neither of them moves and I can hear Scarlett and Rhea breathing heavily behind me. “I won’t ask you again.”
“Fuck off.” Theo growls as his jaw clenches. Tobias’s hand releases my head and I stagger back from the release of pressure, nearly falling on my back. He unsheathes his sword, the metal ringing through the air.
“No!” I heard Scarlett scream as the sword is brought down in an arc. I feel pressure pulling my arm down and then I am falling backwards. I land on my butt and look up. A scream pierces the air as Rhea’s limp body falls to the ground, Tobias’s sword still stuck in her skull. Scarlett falls to her knees, and I look up at Tobias, his eyes wide with fear.
“Oh my gods. Help her. Please! Somebody help her!” She cries as she pulls Rhea’s bloody body towards her.
“What did you do?” I croak out as I turn back to Tobias.
“I was going for Theo’s hand, she got in the way.” He’s shaking, surprised and scared. He’s actually scared.
“What did you do?” I scream as I scramble to my feet, throwing myself at Tobias. We both fall to the ground, and I reach out and slap him as hard as I can. He restrains my wrists and flips us, so I am on my back. I kick out, but he doesn’t move.
“Stop, Elaenor.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you!” I scream as I struggle against him. Oh gods. What did he do? This can’t be happening. He killed her. HekilledRhea. Tobias reaches out and slaps me, momentarily stunning me.
“Calm down!” He yells and I just scream. I keep screaming, rage fueling every ounce of my strength as I kick him off of me. Theo’s arm goes around Tobias’s neck, pulling him backwards. They fall to the ground, struggling against each other in the dirt. I reach for Tobias’s sword, ignoring the sound of it coming free from Rhea’s head. I stand on shaky legs, the long blade heavier than I expected. Theo has Tobias in a chokehold and he’s sputtering. Blood is steadily dripping from both of their noses.
I turn and see Rhea’s eyes open, blood pouring out of her head where it was cleaved in two. Scarlett is shaking and screaming, trying to push the halves of her skull back together.
I don’t even think. Rage consumes me, electricity flowing through my veins. My hands burn and I can almost see sparks along the edges of my vision.
I raise the sword above my head, ready to strike. I can barely hear Scarlett screaming before I am thrown to the ground, an arrow narrowly missing my chest.
I glance up at Scarlett crouched over me, her dress covered in Rhea’s blood. Her mouth is open, as if she froze while in the middle of speaking. It’s only when the first drop of blood drips from her mouth that I see the arrow protruding out of her back.
“No.” I cry out as she tries to sit up. I drop the sword and grab her shoulders, steadying her.
“He was aiming for you.” She whispers as her eyes lock on mine. I look behind her to see one of the guards holding a bow, his mouth open in shock.
“Scarlett, no.” I whimper as she falls against me. I hold her against my chest, tears pouring down my cheeks, mixing with her blood. “I am so sorry.”
“He was aiming for you.” She says through the blood in her throat.
“You shouldn’t have done that. My life is not worth yours.” I can barely get the words out between the sobs.
“I love you, Elaenor.”
