“We are on the same side and wasting time,” I said, all eyes turning to me.
“What’s next?” Eislyn asked.
“We need to find Clause and end this,” I stated, already moving towards the balcony door and into the room.
Iver’s hand reached for my wrist, stilling me. “Things are… a bit messy out there. Erik asked that I find you and bring you back.”
“We may not get another chance like this,” I said, knowing full well he could just move me if he wished. That I could not stand against him, especially while he touched me.
Iver released me, nodding in thought. “I will help you, but if it seems futile, then I am removing you from this situation.”
“Okay,” I agreed and we began moving again.
“You wish to kill the King?” Soren followed us through the space and into the hall, where we met with Kiora.
No. I did not wish for Clause’s death. And I hated myself for it. For wanting for a different outcome. Despite everything he did, what he forced me to do… maybe my soul was tied to his after all. And some part of it felt sorrow for the man who surrounded his tiny black heart with ice.
“If he does not back down, then I doubt there will be much of a choice,” I replied, turning to my friend in time to welcome her arms as she hugged me.
“You are never leaving like this again.” Kiora nearly crushed me in her embrace. I felt her heart hammering against my chest.
“Never again.” I agreed, and she released me. We shared a brief smile, and that was all we had time for.
“Where to now?” Iver scanned the halls, turning from one side to the other before focusing on me. His body remained strained with tension. It clung to him - to all of us. Though I don’t think I ever saw him as anything but casually calm before this.
I glanced at Soren. “Any idea where Clause is?”
“No. But his castle guards may, and I know of one stationed nearby who would likely help us.”
I nodded. “Lead the way.”
Soren took us down the hall, and then down several more. We followed him, making no sound other than that of soft footsteps rushing down thankfully empty corridors. The atmosphere shifted, colder when surrounded by stone, and warmer when surrounded by that of wood and candlelight. All of it, however, cold or warm, remained grand.
“This place is incredible,” Kiora whispered, taking in the sheer size of the castle we rushed down to no end.
Soren slowed, speaking over his shoulder to us. “The guard’s post is just around this corner. Do not threaten him and all should go well.” He briefly hesitated before adding, “Also, do not lie to him.” He did not wait for a reply before continuing.
When we turned the corner, there was a man standing at a post in the hallway.
“Gregory!” Soren called out a name as though they were friends.
The guard’s eyes were already trained, watching us as we rushed toward him. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a stern set to his face. His hand drifted to the hilt of his sword, fingers wrapping around it, yet he did not pull the blade free. At least not yet.
“I do not recognize most of your friends here, Soren.” The man stated and held up his palm. “That is close enough.”
Soren came to a stop, and we followed suit just a step behind him. “We are looking for Clause,” he said.
“He is busy,” Gregory replied curtly. There was a strange clarity and sharpness to his eyes as they passed over me before moving toward our entire party. A feeling of judgment embraced the stranger, directing a cold harsh sensation towards the rest of us. No one ever gave me such a sensation before.
“I am sure he will want to see Ariana,” Soren said. “Just show us the way, and we will leave you be.”
Silence spilled through the halls. It was as if we stood on a ledge and the guard had the power of lowering a draw bridge needed for crossing. Yet he had not decided yet whether to let us cross. And we needed him to help us or we faced a cliff with no way back.
Why did one guard seem to harbor such power? What was so special about him?
Do not lie to him,Soren had said.
“What is your conjuring gift?” I asked, earning those sharp eyes to pin me. He did not move to respond and so I tried to give him an answer to a question he never asked. “I can control mist.” I lifted my hand and showed him my fingers as they turned to mist.
