Page 57 of A Hunt So Wicked
"EVIE! COME ON!" Riv's face appeared out of what seemed like thin air.
"Ka—"
"Kael has fallen, Eves. We need to go. NOW!"
I couldn't just... leave him. Air suddenly felt nonexistent, like there wasn’t enough for me to breathe.I could come back for him. Yes, I'll come back for him.
The bear roared in pain and took off through the forest, making the dragon chase after him. Silence descended upon the three of us as we stared horrified at our friend. A deep sob ripped from my throat, as though the loss of Kael suddenly became a physical being, one that demanded it be heard.
I started ripping at my already destroyed skirt, trying to get a large enough section that I could use to extinguish the flames. I cried out in frustration when only a small strip ripped off into my shaky hand.
"I got it. Hold still," Riv said gently as she cut off a large section of my gown. I grabbed it and tossed it over Kael. Since much of the fabric was still damp, it quickly killed the fire, and I collapsed over his chest. I'd reached my breaking point.
Isla sank down across from me and covered me with her embrace. Her own body shook with sadness and shock. I sensed Riv next to me, and when I felt her embrace being added to the mix, only then did things feel somewhat okay. The four of us were meant to be a team. A unit. With an unbreakable bond that was built on survival and trauma. And now Kael... he'd been burned to death. I wiggled and my two friends sat up, looking at me questioningly. Glancing down at my bodice, I pressed my palms to it. My brows pinched together as my eyes slid to the part of my dress that was covering Kael's body.
"Shouldn't—" I swallowed my question as a strong gust of wind blew through the trees, carrying the sounds of horns.
Isla jumped up. "Rescue? We're being rescued?!" I remained where I was, on my knees, next to my best friend.
The horns got louder, and soon the thundering of hooves mixed together with the familiar melody of The Royal Guard's March.Now? Now they are coming to get us?
Sure enough, horses broke into the clearing, carrying guards who were stationed at the keep. They wore navy blue and white, the colors that represented loyalty to the realm, not to any one kingdom. An emblem on their chests showed an image of the Keep with trees behind it and waves below.
"Let’s get you ladies out of here," a deep voice announced, and all but three men dismounted smoothly, looking at us with pity.
"Where have you been?" Isla demanded. "We've been out here for days, being hunted, wounded—killed!"
"My lady, we were not aware there was anything amiss until less than one hour ago, and we immediately set out to find you," another guard explained, not meeting Isla’s narrowed gaze. "We're to return you all to the Keep, where you can eat, drink, and rest. The kitchens are already hard at work making a delicious meal."
I rose to my feet slowly, unaware of my own intentions, until I threw my whole body at one of the guards, taking him down to the forest floor in surprise. I raised my fists and began throwing wild punches. Fury completely overtook me as I pounded my knuckles against his chest. I didn't even feel the moment my knuckles split and began dripping blood.
"Evie!" Riv shouted as I continued my assault.
"Stupid. Evil. Barbaric!" I screamed as I felt the loss of every person over the last days. I screeched like a wild cat as I was pushed off the guard, and Riv climbed on top of me, pinning me down. I hated it. I squirmed and swore so loudly I am positive the Goddess heard every single word.
Riv grabbed my wrists and pinned them down beside my head.
"LET ME UP! I'M GOING TO KILL—"
A palm covered my mouth, ending my threat abruptly. My wild eyes found Isla's, and she subtly shook her head no.
Riv leaned down and whispered into my ear. "Keep your strength. You can't do anything right now. Say nothing. Do. Nothing!"
My heart was pounding as I glanced around. Six guards surrounded us, some of them even with their weapons drawn. They'd kill me and not look back. What the hell was I thinking? Attacking a royal guard like that was cause for imprisonment. I nodded, and Isla removed her hand from my mouth.
"Are ye calm?" Riv asked, searching my eyes for any sign that I wasn't going to leap up and run into my death.
I swallowed roughly and nodded, too aware that nothing good would come out if I actually attempted to speak.
She released my wrists and hopped up. My two friends extended their hands to help me to my feet, and I took them. I needed to be smarter. We all needed to be smarter. I forced down my pride and looked over at the guard I'd beaten. "Apologies." I dropped my head. "I am not myself."
"Quite all right," he replied, wiping my blood from his metal chest plate.
The other guards began snickering and whispering, much to my victim's annoyance. "What?!" he snapped at them.
"It's just, I never thought I'd see the day a maiden takes down a royal guard in such a—" he paused, "spectacular fashion."
The guards all howled with laughter. They were making jokes and laughing like they weren't here to rescue us from a murder hunt. We were surrounded by psychopaths who had absolutely no regard for humanity. My knuckles screamed in pain when my fists formed once again, and I prepared myself to go all in on the bastards. A hand grabbed my right fist, and I looked over to Isla. She smiled, soft and forced, and pried my fingers apart so she could slip her hand into mine. Rivka took my left hand and did the same. I would've been dead without them.
