Which means I don’t know what to do.
“The monks taught you the…dance they were doing?”
“They taught me as a way to channel my rage. And if I did it long enough, it would send me to a sleep without the dreams,” Linton replies. “It is a good thing. I can teach you if you want.”
I nod because, if nothing else, I need time to consider my next steps.
Linton moves us into the centre of the courtyard. He steps behind me and carefully alters my stance, so I’m planted securely on the ground.
“Raise your arms, like this.” He lifts his in front of him, palms out and one higher than the other. “Then follow what I do.”
He moves sinuously, and I copy him clumsily for a few paces. He stops, readjusts my position, and we carry on. I’m not sure how long this continues, but by the end, we’re both laughing, and even though I don’t mean to, I fall into his arms.
I’m safe with Linton, the master assassin. Who made sure all my buns were saved from burning, surrounding me with them like they were protectors themselves.
I can’t ask him to fight a battle which isn’t his. He’s done more than enough of that for the foul Faerie. The fight for mankind isn’t his.
But I want to be with him. I want it more than ever after today.
“What is in your head?” Linton studies my face. “I know when there are thoughts in mine which I do not want.”
I run my hand down his jaw and his eyes close in response to my touch.
“But you chase them away, my Kaitlyn,” he says. “More than anything the brothers taught me, it’s you who keep the shadows out.”
I think of last night, when I encountered Linton in the grip of his terror. And how he calmed once he was aware of me.
“I don’t want my battle to be yours,” I say. “I don’t want to make anything worse for you.”
Linton pulls away from me.
“But my place is by your side, Kaitlyn.” He blinks, hard, several times. “I am to protect you. You aremine.”
“I don’t doubt it. But I can’t have a part in hurting you.” I shake my head, trying to hold back the tears at how much Lintonwantsto be with me, to put himself in harm’s way because it’s me.
“I would rip off my wings if it meant you were safe,” Linton says, fangs bared.
“Can’t you get it?” I’m shaking now, not with anger, but with fear of what could happen to both of us, what could happen to this gentle soul. “I can’t be responsible for another life ruined. The fact I ruined mine is my choice. I won’t let it happen to you too.”
When they come, the tears are blinding. I run across the courtyard, only navigating by memory as I make my way into the castle and then simply round corners until I’m sure Linton isn’t following.
I lost everything. I have never mourned it, not until today. The day when a creature who has known me for no time at all says he will lay down his life for me.
It’s what I did. And it was so foolish. But at the time I believed so fervently the Faerie needed to be stopped. But I was arrogantly human, along with the rest of the resistance. I believed we were the only ones who could stop it.
I was wrong. The Yeavering has its own balance, and we knew nothing about it because none of us could be bothered to research the history, the myths, and the legends of our own island.
Now I’m in a place where I am hunted by Faerie, most likely because of what I am and what I know…and I still have to be sure they are no longer taking humans. And I need all those I leftbehind to know the virus which killed so many was not cured by the Faerie…it was started by them.
I need them to stop blaming each other and instead fight back.
And I need, more than anything, to not fall for Linton.
Thing is, I think I already have.
LINTON
When she runs, I should follow, but before I can, the lead brother steps in front of me.
