“It has begun.”
I can’t tell who is talking, and don’t understand what they’re saying. “Who is coming?”
“The Queen.”
As soon as they arrived, they disappear, leaving nothing behind but a sense of urgency.
“We should go.” Salem says, going to hurry out the door.
“Wait. Do you trust them? They could be lying to us. Did they mean the queen as in… my mother?” Skye asks, her hair is thrown up into a messy bun while her eyes sport two purple smudges. We kept her up too late, but fuck was it worth it.
A knock comes from the door, making us all jump. “Who is it?”
“It’s Hecate. Scouts have spotted Persephone and The Seven just outside of town. There’s no time, we need to leave, right now.” Salem rushes out of the room to rouse the rest of the guys.
I catapult myself out of bed and start yanking clothes on. At least now I have something to cover my ass and my feet. They’re still sore from our trek here. I wince as I shove them into the sneakers they were able to scrounge up for me. They’re a touch too small, but they’re better than nothing.
“Wait…” Skye says. She hasn’t started to get ready and a pit forms in my stomach. “I don’t know if I want to go. I mean… it’s mymom.I feel like I owe it to myself to face her.”
I swallow hard, knowing that there’s no way I can leave her alone to do that. “If you stay, then so do I.”
Lukas and Graham nod their agreement. “Whatever you decide, we’re with you.” Lukas says shirt half on, and pants unbuttoned. He sits on the bed and pulls at the back of his neck.
Salem comes flying back into the room, Walker right behind her. “Skye, come on. Why aren’t you guys getting ready?”
She shakes her head no and understanding fills Salem’s face. “Fuck.” Salem aggressively pulls her dark hair into a ponytail.
“We really must go. She’ll be here at any moment.” Hecate says from the hall.
“Are you sure?” Salem asks, holding Skye’s gaze.
Skye’s eyes take on a glistening appearance. “I need to know for myself if my mom is still in there.”
Salem nods her head and rushes to hug her. They embrace, tears trickling down Skye’s cheeks. It churns my heart to see her struggling. To not be the one wiping away her tears right now. Her sadness floods my chest as if it were my own. Salem turns to leave, and we see her, and the rest of our friends flee down the stairs and into the twilight.
I have an awful feeling that this is going to suck.
CHAPTER43
Chapter Forty-Three
WALKER
SONG: READY OR NOT (FEAT. ESTHERO) BY MISCHA “BOOK” CHILLAK
My feet pound on the steps as we run down the stairs. I feel half asleep having been pulled from a deep sleep to flee when it’s still dark out. We make it to the front of the inn, and it looks like Skye and her guys are opting to stay behind.
“Here, take this pack. I’ve stuffed it with things you’ll need. A map, canteen, food, and a tent.” Hecate shoves the sack at me, and I shove my arms through the straps letting the weight dig into my shoulders.
Nyx comes rushing in. “They’re in the town square. Hurry. I have a portal open that will take us to the river’s edge.”
We follow her out the door, spilling into the street. The air is a mix of fire and flowers as we chase after Nyx into the twilight. A thin dusting of light crests over the clouds in the distance, offering just enough illumination to not trip over my own feet. The town is deserted, but I can hear the sound of horses’ hooves galloping against the cobblestones. They’re close. And there are a lot of them by the sound of it.
“This way.” Nyx calls over her shoulder, missing the looming figure that appears in front of her. We come to a halt, but the figure holds Nyx in its clutches. Sweat rolls down my back, and my breathing hitches at the threat of getting caught.
“Well, well, well. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Pride.” Pierce and Salem say at the same time. I huddle closer to them, wanting to shield Salem from harm.
