Page 20 of Silver Claws, Crimson Tears
I open my eyes, staring at him in disbelief.—How is that possible? People don’t just lose a year of their lives, do they?
—Not naturally, no,Zephyros agrees, his eyes narrowed.I fear this was done to you.
I place a hand on my stomach as it twists.—What are you saying? That someone took my memories? Why? What happened to me?
He shakes his great head at a loss, then suddenly straightens his neck and tilts his head, listening. After a beat, he rumbles in displeasure.
—We need to get out of here! he says.The Stormsong whelp is here.
My heart skips. Oh, Goddess! Do I have the strength to face him again? A year might have passed for everyone else, but for me, everything is still fresh, especially the look on Vaylen’s face when I told him everything.
—Mount. I’ll carry you far from here. Somewhere they’ll never find us.
I struggle to my feet, legs trembling beneath me.
—You’re still wanted for Cindergrasp’s murder,he urges.If you stay, you’ll spend your life in a prison cell. I won’t let them take you. Not again.
—Zephyros, he knows I’m a Weaver.
—By all the stars! That will do more than land you in a prison cell. They’ll hang you.
I stare at Zephyros, paralyzed between the urge to flee and something else tugging at my heart. A year. A whole year gone from my life just like that, stolen by a stranger.
“How much more am I willing to lose?” I whisper aloud.
—Every moment we delay is dangerous. Mount now!Zephyros bends his knee, ready for me to climb.
But I don’t move. My legs refuse to carry me toward him.
“We’ve been through this. If I run now, I’ll run forever,” I say, my voice stronger than I feel. “I’d be giving up everything I worked for. Everything I am.”
—What you will be is alive. The alternative is a prison cell or worse.
A shudder runs through me. They execute Weavers. I know. My hands tremble as I push tangled hair from my face.
—Has Vaylen... did he tell them what I am?I ask.
Zephyros hesitates, his enormous clear eyes blinking slowly.—No. He has kept your secrets.
My heart stutters.
—He didn’t tell anyone?
—No.
Something warm unfurls in my chest. Hope, fragile but persistent. Vaylen could have condemned me with a single word, but he didn’t. Even after all my many lies and omissions.
—I’m staying,I announce, squaring my shoulders.
Zephyros rears back, wings flaring in agitation.—You cannot be serious! This is your freedom. Your life, at stake!
—And what kind of life would it be?I challenge him.Always hiding, always running, looking over my shoulder until I die? That’s not living, Zephyros. That’s just... existing.
—Better than not existing at all,he growls.
—I want more, and I need answers.I plant my feet more firmly, even as the world seems to tilt around me.I need to know what happened to me, why I lost a year of my life. And I can’t discover that while hiding in some cave or isle.
His tail lashes in frustration, stirring up dust clouds.—Stubborn, foolish human,he grumbles.
