Delani pulled two blades from the bag, then pointed to my thigh. “That one's secure?”
“Yep.” I patted the sheath over my pants. “Canteen?”
“Check.”
“Vial of toxin?”
She waved the bottle in the air. “Got it.”
“Oat bars, apples, pastries?”
“Yes, yes, and yes, gods forbid you forget to bring a muffin.”
I shot her an eye roll. “I’m going to need all the carbs I can get. Bandages you just packed,” my eyes scanned the list, “extra pair of clothes?”
“Yup.”
“Anything I’m missing?” I asked, tossing the list on the floor.
“Yeah. Your common sense.” Delani stood before me. “Are you positive you want to do this?’
“Pft. No,” I scoffed. “I don’twantto do this. Ihaveto do this.”
She sighed through her nose, but didn't push any further. “Fine. I’ll try to hold them off for as long as I can in the morning, but you know it won’t be long before they send a search party.”
“I know.”
“And if you're not back in a week, I’m coming out there myself,” she added.
“Delani,” I took her hands in mine, “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I plan on keeping this promise. I swear.” Using her hands, I pulled her into a long hug. “I love you. Make sure Sebastian doesn’t kill anyone when he finds out I’m gone.”
“I don’t make promises that I can't keep.”
I made our goodbye short and sweet, not having it in me to drag it on in the fear I might change my mind.
As planned, Sebastian was passed out when I made it back to our room. I slept for maybe three hours before the first hint of sunlight crept through our window. I laid beside him for a while, watching him sleep, just in case it was the last time.
He was going to be ripshit when he woke up.
Ever so carefully, I peered out my door. When I was sure the corridor was vacant, I stepped into the shadows, tiptoeing to the staircase.
I made a pit stop at the armory, securing a thin-bladed sword, strapping it with a sheath over my shoulder. Then I crossed the marbled floors, making for the exit. With a deep breath, my hand gripped the golden doorknob in preparation to pull.
“Where are you going?”
My inhale fastened to the walls of my chest.
Come on.
Ever so slowly, I rotated my body.
“Where are you going?” Pia slowly repeated in a tone I’d never heard from her. She took a long stride towards me, which was saying something considering how short she was. “And don’t give me some bullshit excuse. I know you well enough toknow that you would never just cut your hair without an ulterior motive.”
My hands found the tops of my hip bones. “I wanted a change,” I said simply.
