Page 19 of Devour
I quickly close the gap between us and grip her forearms tightly. I can handle it all— pain and death and whatever horrors they throw at me—as long as I know it’s for a reason. “You’re my reason, Astella. You’re why I continue on,” I whisper so quietly. It’s a risk to even say this much, but she has to understand.
I was supposed to be taken yesterday, but she saved me. It’s not fair that she would be taken too just because she saved me for one night. I’m not going to let that happen.
“Go into the forest. Find a place to sleep for the night. I’ll—I’ll make sure they don’t find you.”
Tears well in her eyes. “I don’t want to be alone.”
For one second, I let that misery envelop me. She is still so young and has been through so much.
I look into her eyes. The dark spots under them. The scrape along her jaw. The bruise forming on her cheek. The dirt and sand clinging to her skin.
Her face crumples into despair like I’ve never seen. One single sob escapes her, but she fights it with gritted teeth. She is too young to be this strong.
I wasn’t able to fight for Lucca the way I wished. I wasn’t able to tell him how much I cared. But I can for Astella.
“I love you, Astella. Truly, more than I can explain. You saved me.”
“You saved me too.” She sniffs. “We’re supposed to be together.”
I hate it. I hate that she must face the shadows alone. Just like I know she hates that I must face the Drak’yn cult alone. But you can better believe that if my choice is between both of us being taken or just me, I’ll make sure she stays free.
I’ll fight for her, even harder than I’d fight for myself.
Through tears and trembling fingers, she reaches into her skirt pocket and forces something into my palm. “Remember me.”
Her eyes bore into mine so intently I don’t dare examine the gift. It is cool and circular, about the size of my palm. A coin?
“I believe my vision. You and me, safe in the mountains. I have to believe it. It has to be real.” Tears rim her eyes.
I grip her hands tightly in mine, trying not to cry. Trying to be the strong one this time. “I’ll find you. I swear it.”
I don’t know if it’s a lie. But I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I can make it back to her.
7
Lina
When I finally step out from the brush, the coin safely tucked into my shirt, I send one final look to the girl who is my only reason for continuing to fight against fate. My eyes are dry and itchy, my heart sore.
But I am brave. Braver than I should be for what I know I’m choosing to endure.
I will hold onto her, the belief that she will live and find the hope we sought together. Then, I turn my back to her and walk toward the stream.
I am as quiet as I can manage, all the way to the water. We need space between us before I become a distraction so she can escape.
There’s a crack in the distance. My heart pulses.
Fear urges me forward; I run as fast as possible. The farther I can make it, the more likely they won’t find her too.
So, I run. The rags I call clothes whip in the wind, my feet pounding heavily on the dirt path.
The crows caw. Once, twice, three times.
The stream grows bigger, and I can already imagine the glorious coolness of its waters on my burning skin. I leap into the water, heart soaring because this is freedom—not guaranteed happiness, but the chance to run for it.
For one moment, while I am in the air headed for water, hair tossed back, I think that I could make it. Maybe they won’t turn back. Maybe they won’t hear either of us. Maybe we could escape this fate again.
Because I am blessed.
