Chapter 43

Lilitha and Mateus walked together. Over his broad back, slung on two leather thongs, were a club and a blood-stained ax. Lilitha had a bucket hooked over the crook of her arm. It was empty now but would soon be filled with blood. It was another beautiful night, a mass of stars twinkling through the canopy above, but Lilitha took no joy in it. She looked at Mateus, frowning. To think she should betray him, in spite of all her love, did not bear thinking about.

“You all right?” he asked.

Lilitha swallowed and nodded.

They reached the bottom of the rise. Lilitha tried not to wince at the stench. Cries and prayers lifted on the breeze, and she wiped at her nose, blinking rapidly.

“You sure you want to do this?”

She adjusted her bucket. “Let’s just get this over with.”

He strode ahead, and Lilitha followed close behind. The moment Mateus stepped into view, blood-curdling screams rent the air. Lilitha stopped in her tracks, their terror like an icy blast of wind stealing the air from her lungs.

Mateus was unfazed, his long strides paving a clear path as all those by his feet scuttled away, the moonlight glancing on his horns and on the blade of his ax. Lilitha had become so accustomed to him, had come to love him so much, she had forgotten how monstrous he truly was. As she looked upon him now, however, it returned in full force: his terrible horns, the cold glint in his eye, the portent of the blood-stained ax, his sheer size, his legend.

Shivers racked her body.

“Mateus?” Lilitha breathed. Somehow, he heard her above the din and turned back. She took the key out of the bucket and held it out in a trembling hand. “Here, I can’t go on.”

He took it without a word. Sweat broke out on her brow, the ground tilted beneath her feet. Mateus caught her before she hit the ground.

“I’m fine.” Pushing him aside, she lurched away.

Once she had passed the last, squirming figure, she dropped to her knees, clutching at her chest as she tried to catch her breath. She looked back at the terrible scene: the huddling bodies, Mateus’s tall and terrible figure bearing down upon them. Gritting her teeth, Lilitha pushed the nausea down and climbed back up. She had come for a purpose.

She watched as he made his choice—a tightly cloaked figure curled in a ball at his feet. Unlike the rest, the man hadn’t moved at his approach. Mateus nudged him with his boot. The man cringed. Mateus crouched by his side, and she watched closely as he unlocked his shackles. The stricken figure still didn’t stir as Mateus grabbed his ankle and dragged him behind him.

“I don’t think this one will fight,” he said, arriving at her side. “It would be best to slaughter it at the cave.”

Lilitha nodded weakly.

When they reached the cave, Mateus dropped his load to the floor. He frowned at her. “Perhaps you should leave for this.”

Looking at the whimpering figure, she agreed. She had learned enough. She handed him the bucket. He took it and went over to the far side of the cave. Lilitha watched as he deposited the key on a hook pinned into the rock. She suddenly remembered Laymond demanding her to find it.

“Does it—does it unlock ~all~ their shackles?” Lilitha asked.

“Yes.”

Their eyes met. Though he was about to commit murder, his gaze was gentle and understanding. Lilitha left.

She made her way toward Clara’s little home. Lilitha stood for a long time, watching the leaves wave in the breeze, rocking on her heels. Finally, she sat, propped up against a tree as she waited for the sun to rise.

Clara crept out, pausing as they looked at each other. Warily, her friend straightened. “What do you want?”

“I’ve come to say I’m sorry. And to tell you my plan.”

“Plan?”

“To get you out of here.” Clara raised her eyebrows as Lilitha reached into her cloak and pulled out the compass. It dangled on its golden chain. She flicked open its casing, then stood and handed it over.

“Where’d you get this?” Clara said, eyes wide.

“It doesn’t matter.” Clara smoothed her thumb over its golden casing. “Mainstry is due south-east. It’s a fairly long way to go, probably a few days. The plan I have in mind may not work, but it’s worth a try, if you’re still willing.”

Clara raised her eyes. “Are you coming with me?”

Lilitha’s heart lurched, grateful she still cared. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I love them too much.”

“Them?”

“~Him~,” Lilitha corrected quickly. “Damon. I love ~Damon~. So, are you willing?”

She gave a sharp nod.

“Fine then,” Lilitha said. “Then you must prepare yourself for an abrupt departure, for our next meeting may prove to be our last.”

***

It was a hot and golden day, a smattering of gray clouds dotting the sky. A hawk shrieked from its spiraling flight above. A gentle breeze fondled the lengths of Lilitha’s hair, and she stopped to lift her nose. She closed her eyes, enjoying a rush of sensations she hadn’t felt in so long. They reminded her of sunlight and cheer and the caress of a lover’s touch.

It was the feeling of spring.

She opened her eyes and sighed. Despite her grim task, her heart felt lighter as she hefted her food-laden basket.

She rounded the bottom of the rise and approached her captives. Though the scene wasn’t as horrifying as it was at night, it was still appalling to behold. The captives clung to the ground, trying to find shade anywhere they could. There was a hum as bugs and flies attached themselves, feasting on waste and wounds. Others were too weak to move, cooking under the blaring sun. There were only nine left.

Lilitha swallowed, her throat dry, as she placed her basket at her feet and returned her hood, hiding her face. The less they knew about her, the better. It had taken her much of the morning to fill the basket—and she was tired. She ought to be asleep.

Picking up the basket, she made her way toward them. They slunk away. She wrinkled her nose at the stink. The sun was glinting off their chains.

“Please, I have food.” She held out the basket, then lowered it to her feet. “I’m going to get you out of here.”

They all stared at her mutely.

“How?” one of them finally croaked. A Champion by the look of it. Or what was ~once~ a Champion.

Lilitha pulled out the key from her pocket and showed them. “Each of you take some food and I’ll unlock your chains. But you must be quick.” She looked over her shoulder. “They wake at night.”

“You’re one of them.” Another prisoner with matted long hair was baring his teeth at her. “You’re ~one of them~.”

Lilitha didn’t know what to say. The others were huddling in their cloaks, eyes darting over her and the basket, keeping their distance.

“Here,” she held out the key to the Champion. “Take it and free yourself. Free the others. Then run as fast as you can. Somewhere. Anywhere. Away from here. I don’t know how much time you have.”

The Champion was gazing at her warily, his cheeks sunburned, eyes dark. Lilitha placed the key on the ground and backed away. Nobody moved. It wasn’t until she had disappeared into the trees that the Champion dared to pick it up. Lilitha watched, safely hidden, as one by one he unlatched their shackles, no longer caring who was who, whether criminal or Champion.

One of them took up the basket and they all fled together. All except one who was lying on their side, curled in a fetal position. Cautiously, Lilitha crept over. When she peered into his hood, she stepped back with a start. Quickly she raced to get some water. Kneeling beside him, she tried lifting his head. His lips touched the rim of the bowl but he would not drink, eyelids fluttering. His fingers were blue.

Carefully, Lilitha lowered his head back down. She released a shuddering breath, then gave a fitful sob. Dizzily, she stood. She backed away, then turned and ran.

She really needed Clara’s company but that would likely arouse suspicion. If her plan was going to work, she had to be careful. Instead, she returned to Mateus. She eased to the ground where he slept, trying not to disturb him, but his eyes sprang open and he tucked her against him.

“Where were you?” he said.

“Pains in the stomach,” she said with a grimace.

He gazed into her eyes. “You’re sad.”

She forced a smile. “Am I?”

He kissed her on the forehead and tightened his arms around her. “Keep your secrets then.”

Soon, his breaths turned long and deep. Lilitha tried very hard not to cry.