Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 582(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Days passed without incident. Sometimes we camped at night without a fire. Sometimes we talked before bed, and sometimes we went to sleep right away. But throughout the journey, he never gave any indication that he was a threat. I felt comfortable with him, but I was smart enough not to let my guard down—at least not fully.
We traveled south farther than I’d ever gone before. So far that I actually felt the change in temperature, saw vegetation I’d never seen before. The dirt was even a different color, somewhat red and rough in texture.
When we stopped at sunset, I saw the outline of the mountains that marked the border to Necrosis. They stretched as far as the eye could see, from one point of the continent to the other. Unlike the red dirt, the mountains were dark in color, and as the night deepened, there was a distinct shine on part of the surface. It was slightly blue, a gentle glow. “What is that?” I asked, pointing.
Bastian followed my outstretched finger. “Bioluminescence.”
“I’m sorry…am I supposed to know what that means?”
He sat across the fire from me, a roll in his hand. “The minerals and vegetation absorb sunlight during the day then give off that glow throughout the night. Not sure why. Perhaps it’s to attract pollinators.”
“Do you guys use it for anything?”
“We use the minerals for weapons. The plants are used for herbal remedies and tea.”
“Does Necrosis need remedies?”
“We’re vulnerable to flesh wounds just like you.”
“What about illness?” I asked.
He gave a shake of his head. “Since our bodies aren’t truly alive, we don’t progress in that way.”
“Lucky…”
He took a bite of the roll and chewed as he stared at me. “I can go in alone and meet you out here.”
“Excuse me? Why are you trying to change the plan?”
“Just giving you a way out.”
“Did I ask for one?”
“I wouldn’t blame you for being scared, Elora—”
“How many times have I told you I don’t get scared? I’m traveling alone with one of you—so there’s your proof.”
“You know I wouldn’t hurt you, so that doesn’t count.”
“Do I?” I challenged.
He gave me that hard stare, his eyes so focused on mine they seemed to have their own fire. “Yes.” It was as if he dared me to doubt him. “I can harvest the Ice myself and return with what I have. It’s less risk on your part.”
“That defeats the whole reason I came with you—”
“It’s just an option—if you want it.”
“I’m good.”
He continued his stare. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, if that’s any comfort.”
He was the only ally I had. Once I crossed into their lands, he would also be my only lifeline, my only way out of there. “So, if they discovered what I really was, you would fight them so I could get away?”
He gave a nod.
“Aren’t some of these people your friends?”
“The twelve I mentioned before.”
“And they’re there now?”
He gave another nod.
Silence returned to the campfire, his eyes on the flames.
With my arms around my knees, I stared at his face, studied his high cheekbones, the beard that took up his entire jawline. It grew thicker by the day, just the way my brothers’ did when they were too busy to shave. “Is your sister still alive?”
The question seemed to provoke him because he lifted his gaze and looked into my eyes. The stare was unlike any kind he’d shared before, which had been guarded and impenetrable. Now his eyes were clear as a sunny day, the path to his missing soul visible. “Why do you ask?”
“You aren’t married, and you aren’t seeing anyone…but you’re living for something. She must be the thing you’re living for.”
There was no confirmation or denial. Just that stare.
“She’s Necrosis too.”
He was quiet.
“And you’re trying to free her…”
He dropped his eyes.
I knew I was right. “I’m sorry.”
His eyes stayed on the fire, his heartbreak on the surface. “When Necrosis came to our village, they slaughtered everyone. Fed on their souls like an all-you-can-eat buffet. I survived, discovered my parents’ corpses, but then I realized my sister was missing. Haldir set eyes on her and decided to keep her for himself.”
My stomach dropped, absolutely sickened.
“He turned her. Made her into one of them.”
“Gods…”
“Her beauty was indescribable. She had soft features like a rose petal, but she also had wildfire in her eyes. All my friends wanted her. Every boy in the village wanted her. At some point, I just got used to it. But Haldir never did.”
She wasn’t just turned against her will. Something even worse happened to her.
“I followed them into their lands and drew my sword. It was a suicide mission, but I’d rather die trying to save her than live a life of grief. I wasn’t the swordsman I am now, so I was no match for the First King. Before he could eat me, she begged for my life, agreed to succumb to all of his demands…” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his eyes focused on the fire with a tint of rage. “That was when he turned me. I went there to save her…and all I did was make our situations worse.”