“When she found your father, and you were on the way, I began struggling to stomach the ramblings of Adriel and the plans he had for you. Grier and Vaughn, as well as the other prisoners, made plans to escape, and instead of reporting it like the good soldier I had always been, I found myself rooting for them.
“As you grew in her womb, their desperation to get away became palpable, and one day an opportunity presented itself. Another nest attacked us, and in the pandemonium that ensued, I was able to assist Grier, Vaughn, and the paladin in escaping. I was leading them out when lamia from the other nest made their way to us.
“It was decided that the paladin would stay and fight, making it possible for Grier to escape with you. Grier fought to stay with them, but the centuries of torture and being a prisoner weakened her, and I was able to force her away.”
Talon wipes at my wet cheeks, and I realize that I’m crying.
“She wanted to stay with you. You were everything she was living for. But the birth took its toll, and her body was so tired from the years of fighting. She held you for as long as her body would let her. She named you and placed you in my arms for safe keeping, and I swore a blood oath that I would keep you safe and protected as I watched her die.”
Blood leaks from Talon’s eyes and I wipe it away hurriedly, trying to soothe him.
“I failed you Vinna. Adriel survived the attack, and I was being called back to him. I found a blood-slave and did my best to glamor her to care for you. I checked in on you from time to time, when it was safe, but by the time I realized what Beth was doing, you were too old for me to take.”
“You would have been put at more risk, and so I left you with her. I tried to force Beth to care for you better, to stop hurting you, but she had grown less susceptible to my glamor after years of exposure. When I tracked you down after she had kicked you out, it was the opportunity I needed to care for you properly. I’m so sorry it took so long Little Warrior.”
Talon’s sobs morph into bone-breaking coughs. I try to soothe him but we both know it’s useless and I can barely contain the sobs spasming from my own chest. A noise draws my attention, and I look up to find several black SUVs surround us. I shout out a warning to the others and begin to call on my magic, preparing for an attack.
“Vinna they’re with us. They’re protecting us while we’re outside the boundaries.”
My adrenaline and energy suddenly plummet, and I collapse back down next to Talon, relieved that someone else is watching our back.
“We’re almost there, Talon, just hang on a little longer.”
Talon opens his eyes at my pleading tone and gives me a weak, blood-tinged smile.
“Faron must have suspected something. I was always so careful, but I must have fucked up somehow because he showed up unannounced in my territory. As soon as I was made aware that he was there, I knew it was only a matter of time before he found you.” Talon’s eyes close, and his face goes slack for the briefest of moments before he resumes talking. “I arranged it so that your uncle could find you. I needed him to take you before Faron could.”
I reel at this admission, shock and anger boiling within me.
“Talon if you knew where my uncle was this whole time, why didn’t you give me to him in the beginning?”
Talon flinches at my anger.
“It wasn’t safe. Adriel would have looked for you there first, and there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t get you. I almost sent you to your uncle when I found you at fifteen. But your Sentinel runes showed up a couple of weeks later, and I knew I could train you and prepare you better than the casters or paladin could. They wouldn’t have even known what you are.”
Talon’s breathing starts to change, a rattle sounding where there was once smooth air working in and out. I pull him against me, knowing time is running out.
“Oh, Talon. You always were a sucker for a damsel in distress,” I whisper, and he gives me a bloody smile and closes his eyes. “Thank you, Talon. Thank you for protecting my mother, thank you for protecting me.” My words crack and splinter, as tears stream down my face and sobs break up the smooth cadence of my whispered gratitude. “You didn’t fail me. I’m here because of you and your beautiful, giving heart. I’m everything because of what you did.”
Talon’s hand flaps up into the air, and I grab it, bringing it to my face.
“I luuhhhvvv yew, Lidl Wariorrrrrr," Talon slurs and I feel the muscles in his arm begin to slacken.
“I love you, Talon," I sob, pulling him into my lap so I can cradle him. “Please don’t go. Please Talon, please stay with me. I’m so alone. If you go what will I do without you?”
His breathing hitches and I feel his body relaxing in my arms. I’m crying and begging, for what I know is inevitable not to happen. Talon’s lips move, but no sound comes out. I bring my ear down to his mouth.
“Ahllwayyys hrrrrr," caresses my face, in the barest whisper, as the last of Talon’s breath leaves his body, and he grows still in my arms.
I drop my face into the crook of his neck and shoulder, and I cry. Loss and grief are all I am, and all I know in this moment. Tears form a river from my eyes down Talon’s shoulder, and I rock, holding him until his body turns to ash in my arms. I lay down on my side. Knees to my chest, and become as small as possible. I stare at the remnants of what used to be Talon and find myself wishing I could crumble into nothing right alongside him.
41
Ifeel the tickle of magic against my skin as we cross back into the boundaries of Solace. I don’t know how long we’ve been gone, but it’s been enough time for my world to implode completely. That seems to be a running theme for me these days, world implosion. I can’t seem to go more than a handful of days without something or someone ripping me or everything I know apart, and too often both happen simultaneously. I’ve been soldiering through, making the best of what I’ve been dealt, but this, all of it, it’s too much. I’ve reached my limit of shit I can deal with.
I feel us turn off from whatever road we’ve been driving down for a while now. I’m not sure where we’re going, and I can’t be bothered to sit up and see for myself. Kallan and Nash were trying to fill the heavy silence in the car, but they’ve long since stopped. Now we all sit quietly, trapped in our own thoughts and memories, exhausted, drained, and processing. Another tingle of magic brushes over me, but this one speaks to me in a way the others didn’t. I would know the feel of it anywhere.
“Why here?” I ask my voice dry and raw. It’s the first time I’ve spoken since Talon died, and I’m not sure if anyone even heard me or will answer.
