Page 135 of The Scars Within
Shayde blocked my path, his hands gripping my shoulders.
His gaze was filled with concern. “Hey, hey! What’s going on? What’s wrong?” His eyes trailed down my body. “Why are you still in your gown?”
I tried to pull away, desperate to escape his hold, but he didn’t let go.
“Shayde, please.” My voice cracked as I turned my head, refusing to meet his eyes. The sting behind my eyelids threatened to betray me, but I forced back the tears, nearly choking on the pain in the process.
He shushed me softly, his voice a quiet calm in my storm, and guided me back toward the alcove where he had been waiting. His touch was steady, never forceful, as he led me down to sit on the bench. I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to steady my breath, each inhale catching as I fought to calm my nerves.
I cracked my eyes open just enough to see Shayde glancing around the hall as if checking for something—or someone. Before I could question it, I heard my name again, the voice unmistakable this time.
“Scarlet!” Laney’s voice rang out as she rushed over, squeezing herself between Shayde and me on the bench. “Row told me to come find you,” she gasped, catching her breath. “I’ve been running all over the school! What in the elements is going on?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Shayde suddenly stood, his frustration bubbling over in a low grunt.
“I really,reallydidn’t want to have to do this.”
In one swift motion, he pulled a vial from his pocket, popped off the lid, and tossed the dust into our faces.
“Scarlet!” Lakota screamed.
The world spun, and then everything went black.
Chapter 53
I was stupid for ever thinking that Scarlet would voluntarily come with me up the mountain. After everything I’ve done? I’m surprised she accepted my apology. I didn’t deserve it.
I’m between a rock and a hard place.
But it is all my fault to begin with. When the Grim reached out to me years ago, I could have come clean right then. I could have lived life pretending that the stolen air element that the Grim gave me was natural. But the Grim informed me that if I told anyone, he would take the element back. And if I didn’t channel another element, then I’d be considered mundane.
So I had planned to keep my air element a secret until our Burn Trials, just in case I happened to channel another element. If I did channel another, I would come clean to my father and give up the stolen air element.
It was a great plan until the Grim’s simple errand requests became threats.
The Grim threatened to capture and torture Rhodes. He said ‘two elements, one stone,’ because torturing Rhodes would also harm me through themarekem.
I couldn’t let my brother be harmed by my stupid mistake, so I entered the Burn Trials, knowing that the result would probably be my failure to channel fire.
But plot twist– I channeled fire.
We are almost up the mountain. But I have a plan. I’ve opened my gates to ourmarekem, in hopes that Rhodes will sense it and find us before it’s too late.
Please, please don’t let it be too late.
The sound of wooden wheels crunching over gravel buzzed in my ears. Whatever magical substance had knocked me out was still weighing heavily on me, my limbs sluggish and unresponsive. I couldn’t lift my arms, but I managed to pry my eyes open. Slowly, I looked to the side, relieved to see Laney lying next to me.
What in the elements is going on?
The air is a lot cooler than it should be at Mageia. After a few minutes, I coughed, my throat dry and scratchy like sandpaper. The sound was weak but enough to signal to whoever was driving this carriage that I was awake.
“I meant it when I said I didn’t want to do that, Scar,” Shayde’s voice came from the front, tinged with shame. He didn’t sound like himself, the guilt thick in his words.
I forced out a raspy whisper, “Where are you taking us?”
“I can’t tell you that,” he muttered, his tone guarded. “But you don’t have to worry. He promised you wouldn’t be harmed.” There was a pause, and I could hear the tension in his voice as he continued. “I wanted you to come willingly, but I had the befuddle powder on me just in case. She wasn’t supposed to be with you. I only had enough for one full dose.” Another pause, heavier this time. “It would have kept you unconscious until we arrived.”
His words swirled in my mind, each one a new knot of confusion and dread. I tried to reach Lakota through the bond—nothing. A wave of panic rushed over me.
