Page 99 of The Scars Within
“Where is the Eternal Tomb?” the leader roared, his face inches from mine.
The magical force pulling the truth from me was too strong; I felt the darkness in my mind slowly brighten, bit by bit. It felt like I was leaning against a brick wall, using every ounce of strength to push it back. Then, suddenly, I felt it—someone else, beside me, shoving their force into the wall with mine.
Together, we sealed the gate.
In an instant, the truth powder’s hold on me vanished. I gasped, sucking in deep breaths, feeling the weight lift from my chest. I looked up at the leader and smiled.
“Impossible!” he spat.
The doors to the building burst open, flooding the room with blinding light. I couldn’t see who had entered until they approached us, the shadows in the room revealing who was there.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Chief Kalluri bellowed.
Allie rushed to my side, her hands frantically checking for injuries. When she spotted the burn on my leg, flames flickered in her eyes. She demanded that my shackles be released, and the silent men in the corners obeyed without question. Allie lifted my arm over her shoulder, providing the support I didn’t realize I needed.
“Sir—I’m—” the leader stammered, scrambling to justify what had just happened. He tilted his chin down, hands clasped behind his back, avoiding Kalluri’s gaze.
War Chief Kalluri turned to me, his eyes narrowing as they fell to the burn mark above my knee. Then his gaze traveled back to my face, where I knew my skin was at least reddened from the blows I’d taken.
Allie helped me exit the building, leaving Chief Kalluri behind as he interrogated his men. Lakota soared in the sky above us, blasting flames into the air.
He’s furious.
As Allie and I returned to the castle, she said, “We’re going to the infirmary. That burn needs to be treated. Do you have any other injuries? Who would you like me to fetch to accompany you?”
I quickly shook my head. “Nobody. I’ll be fine. It’s just the burn; I’ll head back to my dorm once the medical team assesses it.”
“I can find your friends and let them know where you are. I can tell them not to ask any questions—”
“Please, no. I’m fine,” I interjected. “I think the burn looks worse than it actually is.”
As Allie opened the castle door for me, I could see by the look on her face that she didn’t believe me for a second.
My time in the infirmary passed quickly because I was too lost in my thoughts. Once again, I was minding my own business when someone dragged me into some bullshit.
At least I was right about the burn on my leg; it looks worse than it is.
The medical staff had to peel away the melted leather from my skin before cleaning it, but thankfully, I had worn my thicker leathers that morning. Once they cleaned and dressed my wound, they gave me a tub of salve and sent me on my way.
A cadet with a normal life would probably have their parents harassing Chief Kalluri about what happened today. But, well…
My ‘mother’ is dead, and my ‘father’ was the one who had me interrogated.
Once I checked the time, I realized my friends were probably in the cafeteria having lunch before Survival Training. After what had just happened, I had no appetite. I didn’t want to risk running into Rhodes on the rooftop, so I made my way toward the Bolthole.
I peered inside to ensure nobody was there, then shut the door behind me. It was quiet and peaceful—a place where I could be alone with my thoughts.
My fucked-up thoughts.
I found a spot to sit on the ground, leaning against the stone wall. I went to wrap my arms around my knees but flinched when I stretched the skin on my burn, so I hugged my opposite knee.
I closed my eyes and laid my head against the cold wall.
I could sense Lakota’s arrival and opened my eyes when I heard him land on the roof above our mini courtyard. His head almost completely filled the open space above the Bolthole as he nudged the hanging ivy with his snout.
“Cleo worked hard on those,” I teased.
“She’ll get over it,” he retorted, pulling the ivy with his teeth and setting it on the roof while peering his head in as deep as the opening would allow.
