I heard the sound of metal slicing through the air moments before Klyn’s body jerked.No.An enormous knife stuck out from his upper arm. It was just his arm. An arm injury was not life-threatening.
“No!” a shrill scream came from inside Derwin’s.Eve.
Eve’s voice alerted Lochlaan that Derwin was harboring his otherescapee.
“Seems to me youhaveseen my prisoners, Derwin,” Lochlaan barked and proceededforward.
Just then, an arrow came from high above. It pierced through the rain and hit the Carpe Noctem that had thrown the blade at Klyn. The arrow from Sean brought the blade thrower to his knees. The Carpe Noctem took cover, though they looked upward at the arrows that were comingdown.
“I think you have more than my prisoners, Derwin,” Lochlaanstated.
While the boys shot from the trees, Merc and I kept any Carpe Noctem from getting too close to Klyn. Thankfully the blade had hit him in the arm. Blood was seeping through his rain-soaked clothes, and the scent was driving the Carpe Noctem crazy. They were shot down one right after another as the temptation of Klyn was too great to keep themback.
“Yeah! Keep coming, you fuckers,” I said under my breath as Merc and I helped the boys in the trees knock themout.
“River!” Lochlaan yelled myname.
I glanced at Derwin’s porch. Lochlaan had a hand on Octavia’s throat and one on her forehead. He could snap her neck at any moment.No!I started to stand up, but Merc pulled me back downagain.
“River! Show your face!” Lochlaanyelled.
He had no idea where I was at. I could tell by the way he moved around on the porch he was oblivious of my location. Over his shoulder, I could see Derwin and Phoebe releasing arrows out of the window frominside.
“The prophecy, River! The prophecy said that you would be of great use! It said I needed to keep you alive!” he yelled and moved cautiously around. “Now is the time, River! I need you to take me to the castle. I can only get in if I am invited. You need to takeme.”
I remained still. That was all that he needed me for? That was my purpose? To take him inside the Darick castle so he can get into the mint? There had to be more than that. I looked at him and tried to keep the rain from obstructing my view. The sky was as dark as night, and I was growing frustrated by the rain in my face and inability to see himclearly.
“River! It is time to make yourself useful! Show yourself! It has been a long time, River. If you fulfill your role in life, if you fulfill the prophecy and take me to the castle in Drishane, I will announce you as my son,” hehollered.
He has never accepted me. All I had to do was take him to the castle and let him get the molds and materials to make the Royal Darickcoins.
“River, do not listen to him,” Merc said and squeezed myshoulder.
“River! We can rise together as father and son. You will be my second in command. Anything you want will be yours,” Lochlaanpromised.
“River,” Merc said my name urgently. “River, do not listen to him. He is trying to get into your head. His intention has always been to use you. Do not trusthim.”
I could barely see Lochlaan. Why could I barely see him? My vision had never been affected like this. I kept wiping water from my face and blinking. Nothing wasworking.
“Father and son, River,” Lochlaan offeredagain.
“River, do not listen to him,” Mercwarned.
“River! We will be the most powerful father and son duo that has everlived!”
A duo. A father and sonduo.
“We will rule all of Dreyle, River! Showyourself!”
“Merc, will you always have my back?” I looked him in his eyes andasked.
“I will, brother. But do not listen toLochlaan.”
“Trust me, and come with me,” I toldMerc.
I turned to look at Lochlaan, and then I stood. I could barely see him or Octavia through the rain. I sensed that Merc was standing right behind me as I had hoped. Though I could not see Lochlaan clearly, he most definitely could seeme.
“There you are, River. It is time for you to make good on what the prophecy has written about you. Do not failme.”
