Page 80 of Blood Weaver
I frowned. “First, answer me this. Did you know what the Crimson Clan plans to do with me?”
He furrowed his brows. “You know, right now is not the best time to discuss this, Leila …”
I stood my ground, stubbornly refusing his hand. “Answer me! Did you know they were planning to sacrifice me to the Demon Fox?”
Orion sighed and dropped his hand. “Yes. I knew.”
My eyes widened and my mouth fell open. “So it’s true?”
Orion nodded. “They want to resurrect the Demon Fox, and they need you to do that.”
“So … Ronan … has been lying to me this whole time?”
“Yes. He has.”
Anguish twisted my heart. My chest tightened and anger bubbled within me. The very man who … I couldn't even put a name to it now. He was only lying, using me for whatever grand scheme the Crimson Clan had planned.
“Why didn't you tell me, Orion? Why let me discover it this way?” I whispered, pain evident in my voice.
He looked down, remorse clouding his eyes. “I wanted to tell you, truly I did. But the situation is more complex than you know. Sir Edric also told me to keep it secret for as long as possible. Ignorance is bliss, Leila.”
My thoughts swirled in a maelstrom of betrayal. “And you were okay with them using me as some sacrificial lamb? As a means to an end?”
Orion's gaze met mine. “No, I wasn’t. I've been trying to find a way to thwart their plans. That’s why I’m here, Leila. I'm not just here to save you from Keldara, but also from the Crimson Clan.”
His sincerity rang clear, but trust, once shattered, wasn’t easy to mend. Still, I couldn't deny the reality of my situation. Mykal was not my ally, and Ronan … Ronan had been playing me all along. Right now, Orion was the lesser of the many evils surrounding me.
“Have you freed Selene?” I asked.
“I will. Remember our deal?” He pulled the cloak’s hood back over his silver hair and pointed ears, then reached out his hand again for me to take.
Reluctantly I took it. “Yes, we have a deal.” With a sigh, I let him lead me out of the tent through the slit.
The cold night air hit my face, offering a brief moment of clarity amid the whirlwind of events. The Keldaran camp was vast and chaotic, with fires flickering in the distance and theraucous laughter of drunken soldiers piercing the stillness. But Orion moved with purpose, guiding me expertly through the shadows, avoiding patrols and staying clear of the lit areas.
As we crept toward the edge of the sprawling camp, my thoughts turned to Selene. Would Orion keep his word and free her as he promised? And even if he did, where would she go? Once my secret was out to the world, I wasn’t sure she could return to Valoria with me. Would she be safe with Orion?
“We need to be quick,” Orion whispered, snapping me back to the present. “There's a forested area to the west where we can take cover until dawn.”
I nodded and focused on putting one foot in front of the other, letting the rhythm of our escape momentarily drown out the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume me. After what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, we reached the edge of the forest. The canopy of trees offered cover and a temporary sense of safety. We slowed our pace and took a moment to catch our breath.
“Wait!” I stopped as realization dawned on me. “There’s going to be an attack tonight.”
Orion frowned. “What are you talking about? What attack?”
“Keldara sent word that they plan to attack the Valorian camp tonight in the hopes it would lure the Crimson Clan into the open.”
My fae rescuer furrowed his brows. “So?”
“So, Keldara is trying to start a war between Valoria and the Crimson Clan.”
Orion shrugged. “That’stheirbusiness, Leila.Ourbusiness is to get somewhere safe. Not only you, but Selene as well.”
I ripped my hand out of his grip. “No! I need to warn Caelan.” I started to double back.
“Leila!” Orion whisper-yelled. “If you do this, there’s no going back from it.”
I knew he was right. I also remembered how I defended Ronan to Mykal by saying he wouldn’t be stupid enough to fall for his trick, but deep down I wasn’t sure. Now that my eyes had been opened, it forced me to consider that everything I thought I knew wasn’t real.
