Chapter 45

Book 3

Lilitha remained dry-eyed, her face set as they continued their journey the next day. Streams of light poured through the canopy, hot and bright, forcing the girls to remove their cloaks.

Clara narrowed her eyes. “What is that?”

Lilitha gripped her necklace with a start. “Nothing.” She unclasped it and tucked it into her cloak.

Their way out of the forest was proving much easier than their journey within. It wasn’t just because they were no longer cuffed, chained, and terrified. It hadn’t rained in days. No more deep puddles and thick, sucking mud.

Not to mention, Lilitha had developed much more skill in avoiding the worst obstacles. She could sense things now, like shadows across her vision.

Lilitha raised her face to the canopy, blinking against the light, enjoying the warmth on her shoulders. A bird was singing. How could she be a “creature of the night” when she enjoyed the sun so much?

Clara frequently pulled out the compass, checking their route. They picked their way through a labyrinth of bushes. A bird was chirping from somewhere high in the treetops.

“You know, in all the times we discussed your escape to Mainstry,” Lilitha said, “we never once discussed your plans when you got there. What do you hope to do?”

Clara shrugged. “I have a way.”

“Were you hoping to go back home?”

Clara looked at her, then away again, her face screwed up with grief.

“Sorry,” Lilitha said quietly.

“It’s not your fault.” Clara was looking resolutely through the trees. “My mother will cope. It’s too dangerous to go home.”

“So, then what was your plan?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“Why not?”

Clara’s blue eyes flashed into hers. “You have your secrets. I have mine.”

And that was the end of their discussion.

They didn’t stop for lunch, collecting food along the way: berries, nuts, mushrooms. Lilitha, of course, couldn’t eat them. She would need to find some real food—and soon. She could feel it already: the tingling in her fingertips, the weight on her shoulders.

She yawned as she raked her fingers through her hair. It didn’t help that she was awake when she should be asleep. Two days. Two days until Mainstry. Maybe three.

At sunset, they made camp and settled for the night. Clara was bunched close to Lilitha as she peered fearfully around the trees. Lilitha couldn’t blame her. At every rustle or squeak, her friend would suck in a breath and whip her head around.

Lilitha wasn’t much better, dread clutching at her heart. If Damon and Mateus caught up with them, what would they do? ~Alphas never hurt females…~ But would that be the case now? Thinking of Damon and his rages, Lilitha shivered.

She contemplated building a fire just to make herself feel better but decided against it. Though the two alphas would still likely be chasing their human escapees, why risk things further? Lilitha wrapped herself more tightly in her cloak. At least there was moonlight. It was shining against Clara’s eyes.

“Something wrong?” Lilitha asked, realizing her friend was watching her.

“You look sad.”

“Do I?”

“You miss them, don’t you?”

Lilitha jerked her head up. “Who?”

“You know who. The monsters.”

Lilitha’s mouth turned dry. “Of course I don’t. They’re ~monsters~.”

Clara watched her closely. “You’re a monster too, aren’t you?”

Lilitha leapt to her feet, goosebumps erupting all over her body. She didn’t know where to look as Clara stared up at her, strangely calm. Damon’s voice suddenly rose from the void: ~Reveal the truth of what you really are and watch her scuttle away like a rat.~

“Speak with me, Lilitha. I am your friend.”

Lilitha looked at her. “You are?”

Clara nodded.

“How—how much do you know? ~How~ do you know?”

Her heart did a little tumble as Clara smiled up at her sardonically. “I’m not an idiot, Lilitha. Anyone would know.” Then she frowned. “Are you—are you ~entirely~ like them?”

Bracing her hands on top of her head, Lilitha paced, leaves and twigs snapping beneath her boots. She folded her arms, dropped them to her sides, then folded them again.

“Lilitha?”

Lilitha stopped pacing. “Are you afraid of me?”

“No.” Clara’s eyes were bright. “What are…~they~?”

“They call themselves Diablons.”

“Diablons…” She shook her head. “What does that mean?”

“I’m not sure: beasts, monsters, demons of the night.”

Clara’s eyes glowed in the moonlight. “Do they…do they eat people?”

Lilitha’s grimace was answer enough.

Clara was quiet. “They are evil, despicable.”

Lilitha felt a rush of rage. “So sure of that, are you?”

“What else could they be?”

“I’m like them. Do you think me evil?”

“You are not like them.”

“Aren’t I?” Lilitha glared at her. “I have seen things, done things—” she winced “—things which I cannot believe of myself.”

“What have you done?”

“You want answers, then answer mine. What is your plan at Mainstry?”

“To work.”

“Obviously. How?”

“My looks, Lilitha. What else?” Now it was Clara who was angry.

“You mean…”

“What else can I do? As a “useless” woman with few skills?”

Lilitha stared. Her golden hair, her fine features, her soft skin, her magnificent blue eyes. Though she was dirty and disheveled now, streaked with filth, her hair knotted and greasy, there was no denying the beauty beneath it all.

Lilitha felt a deep pang of self-hatred. It had been her plan to just let Clara go all on her own. For a brief, crazy moment, she wondered if it was such a good idea to have left the Diablons at all.

“I can take care of myself,” Clara said, watching her. “I am not your responsibility.” She suddenly grinned and jabbed a finger at her. “I’m the older one.”

A grim smile pulled at the corners of Lilitha’s mouth.

“Your turn,” Clara said and Lilitha’s smile fell away. “What have you done?”

“What do you think?”

“Stop playing with me.”

“Fine! ~Fine~. I—I’ve eaten people, ~okay~. That’s right—~people~. I’ve held their flesh in my hands. I’ve seen their bodies. I’ve seen them imprisoned. I’ve seen their suffering and done nothing about it. Remember Laymond…?”

Lilitha was shaking so hard she folded her hands under her armpits. “You’re right. I ~am~ a monster.” Tears burned behind her eyes. “My father was right. And I don’t know what to do about it. I love them, Clara. No matter what they’ve done, I love them so bad. You don’t know. You don’t ~know~…” Clutching at her chest, she bent over with a moan.

“But you’re here now, with me,” Clara said. “A monster wouldn’t do that.”

“~Do~ you think I’m evil?”

Clara looked at her hard. “No. Whatever you were before, you are no longer.”

Lilitha wiped at her face.

Clara bedded away from Lilitha that night. While she slept, Lilitha stared up into the trees, her hands resting upon her heart.