Page 32 of Hopeless Sacrifice
If they’re here, I want to check on my people. The mortals are not safe here. They need distance between them and the death that’s coming.
“I’m going on ahead.” I meet Darrio’s serious gaze. “I’m heading to the village near the sea.”
My aunt’s village.
“Those people need to be evacuated. They can’t stay here. It isn’t safe.” I pause and Daxdyn nods in agreement, but Ryder begins to shake his head ‘no’ while Darrio just stares down on me. Darrio seems to be considering me intently.
“You’re right,” Darrio finally says as rain trails down his face and beard. “You and Ryder can shudder on ahead. The soldiers who have the ability will meet you there. Warn them, evacuate them. The rest of us will be right behind you.”
I consider the small island of Juvar. The hundred or so innocent families who live within the kingdom. I was one of those innocent families when my father was alive. We lived there out of necessity for his job as a royal swordsman. There are only two types of people who dwell within the kingdom; privileged people who work for the king and people who are too poor to have a choice.
My stomach dips low, wishing they had a fighting chance in all of this. They’re already gone though. Probably within the first hour Tristan arrived.
His own people. They never had a chance.
I swallow hard.
Ryder slips his hand through mine, pulling at my swarming thoughts. Water trails down our fingertips, and for a few seconds he only stares at me. Rain clings to his lashes, sliding down his face like tears.
Death can cause an ugliness to crawl out of all of us.
The Traveler’s words echo in my mind as I stare up at the worry that lines his beautiful face.
What did he see in his travels?
He bends slightly, his other hand skimming up my neck before cradling my jaw.
A questioning whisper hovers against my lips, unsure if it’ll really be spoken because the answer will surely be avoided once again.
“Ryder, what did you s—”
His damp lips press gently against mine. The kiss silences my question. The sweetness of it consumes me with an aching fear that presses against my chest.
As my lashes flutter closed, his magic burns through me. I feel my body begin to fade.
I don’t admit it, but I’m afraid I already know what he saw.
That fear clings to me as he rips us away from the world.
