“Leaving their homes is a difficult decision.”
“I just wish they could understand before it’s too late to decide. My mother and father had the wisdom to know leaving Windguard was the safest option. They weren’t willing to risk staying until they no longer had the choice.”I wished the people of Argora Vale would develop the same instincts.
I didn’t know if Taja was already aware The Order of Darkness had discovered a way to siphon dark magic from the Black Pool. Surely if he did, he would have moved his army to act. Then again, if The Order and the king have been conspiring to rid his kingdom of the magically blessed, maybe that fool thinks he’s only benefitting. Which would mean he’s seriously underestimated their might, but his foul hatred for magic wielders might be the perfect blind spot The Order needed to thrive behind.
He was right about one thing, though. The Order was hiding something, and I hoped tagging along on this mission would reveal it to me. Not for Taja’s sake, but for all of ours.
After an hour or so, we came to a tiny village. Small homes scattered the well-worn roads, though no evidence of anyone living here remained. Chimneys didn’t emit smoke, no candles lit windows. The trees struggled to produce flourishing green leaves, scantily covering mostly naked branches. Only the evergreens and measly patches of grass added color to the bleak, blackened landscape.
“Teams of two scour the homes,” the other Order member barked.
Dae shifted by my side, returning to his human form. His hand immediately pressed against my lower back, steering me toward one of the houses near the end of the lane. No one spoke, only unquestioning obedience as the others paired off and picked their targets.
The Order leaders kicked down a front door, knocking it off its hinges and splintering the wood. No subtly, no preservation,just sheer force and brutality. The next team followed suit for the home beside, smashing a window needlessly..
I bottled my growing rage. These were people’s homes, their refuge. While they may have had to evacuate, there was still the chance they would return one day. Now they would come home to find their things ransacked and senselessly destroyed.
As if Dae could sense the anger vibrating off me, he nudged with more force to keep my steps from faltering as I shrewdly eyed the other teams.
When we reached our door, Dae simply turned the handle.
“Did they even try that?” I hissed under my breath, storming into the home so I could freely grind my teeth.
Echoes of tossed furniture resounded from across the street, and I slammed the door shut behind us to muffle the sound. Dae stepped forward, checking the lone bedroom off of the open living room.
“No one’s here,” he said. “Looks like it’s been a while. There are cobwebs on the candles.”
I threw myself down on the dusty plaid armchair with wooden arms. My feet were screaming from the days of travel it took to get through Witches Pass. I gazed around the home, crowded with mismatching furniture pieces and trinkets that must have been a century old. There were quilted blankets that were well used, pots and pans that’d been passed down for a few generations, intricate carvings that’d been crafted with care. Were they gifts? A hobby? Heirlooms? These houses held ghosts of memories that their owners may never remember after being forced to flee. All because a few sought power and destruction.
And here I was, aiding them. It was enough to make me sick.
It almost seemed like we’d turned back the clock, like we were traveling with the original curse bearers. It only served as a reminder of what was at stake. Would the other kingdoms onthe continent be left as time capsules if The Order of Darkness infected more of the land?
“We can’t rest. Not until they deem that all the houses are clear.”
I rolled my eyes. “They can go kiss a table for all I care.”
Dae snickered. “Gotta keep that mask on for this trip, Ro. They’re going to be irritated when we come back empty-handed and if we don’t show full alignment with their values, we’ll be the perfect targets for them to take out their anger.”
Braxius wriggled out of my hood, resting on my shoulder. He stretched his little muscles and gave a yawn.
“You’retired?”
“Traveling is exhausting.”
“Usually only when you’re the one walking.”I poked his reptilian side.
Dae glimpsed out the window, pushing aside the dark purple curtains. “They’re already moving on. We should keep going.”
I sighed. Braxius nestled his way back into my hood, muttering about how he was going to stretch his wings tonight.
Dae and I surveyed the next house, and the next, and the next until we reached the last house in the row. The sun began to set, casting the deserted homes in empty shadows. As I stared at the final empty bedroom, it became harder to bury the rising tide of surly emotions after we’d invaded home after vacated home. Braxius zoomed about, landing on top of a cabinet to sniff a dying plant.
“Ready?” Dae asked from the living room.
Ready to stop defiling others' personal spaces? Yes. Ready for whatever plans The Order would execute next? Not by a long shot. I stepped into the living room, letting my eyes roam over the charmingly handsome man before me.
A second passed by as we stood in silence. Then Dae moved, hands cupping my face, and kissed me with force. Inearly stumbled, my knees almost giving out at his masculine demand. In an instant, all my stress melted away, heated by his passionate touch.
