Page 16 of Consumed
Eoin would thank me someday, when he knew what lengths I had taken to protect him.
Choking back sobs, I set my gaze toward the cluster of snow-dusted roofs and set down the village path.
7
My body begged for mercy with each step forward. If I had ever felt such physical agony, the memory was deeply buried beneath the span of many mortal lifetimes.
Bit by bit, the land became tamer. I paid no mind to the domesticated animals and farmers at the outskirts of the village, forcing my eyes straight ahead for fear of looking back. But as the dirt path hardened into cobblestone beneath the snow, my disconnection from the forest deepened like a blade to the bone.
Trembling, I dared to peer over my shoulder. The tree line enticed me, barren branches spread like open arms. The promise of relief, however, appeared more like a prison. Like a waiting tomb.
Tomb.
I wavered, my legs pulsing with a new ache, like I had been running for ages.
Skirts tangling my legs, threatening to trip me. The cold air stinging upon each breath, like icicles scraping my throat and lungs. Branches and twigs scraping my skin like claws,opening cuts. Blood dripping, creating a trail, leading him straight to me—
Clutching my head, I blinked hard. The faster I chased the memories, the further they ran, until I could scarcely remember what I’d been picturing at all. Like a fading dream, though I had never dreamt in this lifetime.
I forced myself forward.
The village had progressed much further than I had assumed. The heart of it had been hidden from my perch at the tree line all these years. Even in winter, the market was teeming with mortals—far more than I had glimpsed from the forest’s edge.
Too many, I thought disdainfully.
In the busy square, some curious eyes lingered upon me, but Eoin’s claim of travelers must have been grander than he let on. These villagers didn’t appear shaken by an unfamiliar face, and none stopped to question my presence.
That’s right, look away.The continuous pain throbbing through my body was too great for me to pay much attention to an overly curious mortal.
As I began to devote attention to the thought of tracking Eoin, worry trickled through me. How long could I remain this far from the forest before I perished? Would I feel when my power was sapped to a flicker? Or would I simply blink and become nothingness? For all I knew, I had already seen Eoin’s face for the final time.
The thought made staying upright impossible. I staggered into one of the market stalls to catch myself.
“Away with you!” the man behind the counter snapped. Fabrics were strewn about his stall. Even as I struggled to straighten myself, he glared like I was no more than a troublesome pest. “Die elsewhere, girl—away.”
I scowled weakly. “Pray you never find yourself within reach of the forest,” I said in a guttural voice I scarcely recognized.
“Why is that?”
If he knew my power, he would cower in fear. I pictured myself driving him to madness, making him pluck out his own eyes to feed them to a wolf. But here, such a threat would mark me as nothing more than a madwoman.
My vision went spotty as I pushed myself away from the stall. I was ready to sink to the ground when arms wrapped around me from behind. Snarling, I struggled, but the arms were strong and brought me to my feet.
“Are you alright?” a voice asked in my ear.
I froze.
Eoin.
Once I was steady, he circled to face me worriedly. The sight of his face made my breath catch.
“Miss?” he asked, slower. “Are you alright?”
His frown of concern was so genuine that I nearly sank back into his arms. But though his gaze was warm, it held no familiarity. This was thekindness of a stranger.
“I’m—” I started to say, but my breaths became too labored to speak.
Eoin grasped my upper arms, his worry deepening. “You’re freezing. Wait here—please.”
