“There’s no time,” Felix said.
The familiar words sliced open a wound that had been long-stitched shut, and Felix caught his breath at the sudden wave of grief.
He clenched his jaw, pushing it away.
“We need to run.”
Marlow’s brow cinched. “But they’ll die.”
“So will we if we don’t get out.”
August snatched up his cloak and pushed unsteadily to his feet, already slogging toward the shattered back window when a heavy thud rattled the front door.
Marlow hesitated, then hurried past to slide through first. When she landed on the street outside, she turned to help August.
Felix went through last, his feet barely touching the cobblestones before the door crashed open, the sound echoing off the buildings. Marlow glanced back at the window, but Felix seized her hand and pulled her into the shadows of the empty street.
“You’re sure you won’t join us?” Gideon asked as they walked along Bedwyck’s East Docks.
A warm breeze whipped Marlow’s hair, and she looked out at the dark water of the shipless bay. The sound of seagulls overhead cut through the peaceful rhythmic sloshing of the water against the dock pilings. Smoke from the foundries had stopped, the shop windows dark and boarded up.
Gideon and the others had held out longer than most, but Marlow knew this was for the best. There was nothing left for them in Bedwyck. He and Felix had burned down most of Ashcroft’s businesses and warehouses in the city, and the rest had been emptied and shuttered.
“We’re good here,” Felix answered with a shrug, his hands buried in his pockets. “At least for now.”
They’d considered leaving with them, back when Gideon first asked, but with both Ashcroft and the aesran vying for their heads, it would put the others at risk. They deserved a fresh start, without the hell she and Felix would bring with them.
Felix had tried to convince her to go without him. But she’d always been stubborn, and after a few attempts, he’d given up trying. She wasn’t leaving him here. He was her family. Plus, her face was plastered all over, too. She’d been part of the uprising in Fallowmoor. They’d execute her just as fast as they would him.
No, they were all better off this way.
The creatures were still popping up across the city, but it wasn’t anything she and Felix couldn’t handle. Together.
“You ever need anything,” Gideon said, slowing to a stop before turning to face them, “you come find us, yeah? We’ll have the resistance rebuilt in a few months.”
Felix nodded once.
Marlow knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Especially not in a small town like Haverglen. Raesarinn had said it had taken nearly a decade to build their numbers before. But the tear wouldn’t be there forever. Someone would find a way to stop it. When that happened, she’d return to Fallowmoor and pick up where Raesarinn left off. They’d work on taking back Atheran, and this time, she wouldn’t have to hide it from Felix.
Until then, she was grateful the others had Gideon watching out for them. He’d keep them safe.
Gideon threw his arms wide, pulling them both in for a hug. “You’re good kids. Mind yourselves now, alright?”
“You too,” Marlow said with a smile.
“And stay out of trouble,” he added.
Felix pulled back and frowned. “Now, you know that’s unlikely.”
Gideon flashed a bright grin, then turned and walked down the street to join the others.
It took a day and a half to reach the farmland around Fallowmoor, the journey slowed by the pain radiating through August’s body. The heavy ache in his veins blended with the fading burn of Marlow’s magic under his skin, and he had to stop often to rest.
They were close now. He could tell by the sudden eagerness in the others’ steps.
August kept his eyes on the ground, misty rain clinging to his hair as dread twisted knots in his stomach. He didn’t want to go home. Didn’t want to face the destruction he’d caused. He could feel it already, the awful pull of the Hollow Dark.
As they crested a hill, Felix and Marlow’s steps slowed.
