Page 6 of Wraithwound

Leonid peered out of the hidden passageway before heading towards the forest across the road, his limp a little lighter. Lena followed, gaping at the splintered trees that littered the road that would have led her back to Virdeen. Despite their injuries they moved swiftly, the adrenaline aiding their escape. When they were far enough into the forest to feel a sense of relief from the darkness that permeated the city, Leonid stopped.

“Let’s take a minute,” he panted.

Gasping for air, Lena leaned against one of the massive tree trunks nearby, hardly able to register the thick bark cutting into her back for the terror coursing through her. She brought her hands to her cheeks as she willed her breathing to slow.

“What was that? That thing?” she asked.

“I think you know what that was.” Leonid leaned back into a tree opposite her, rubbing his leg as he studied her. His gaze dipped briefly to the emerald broach before he locked eyes with her once more.

Lena stared back. Only now did it strike her that she had followed a stranger into the woods. He didn’t make any move to approach her though. Then a softness filled his features.

“How long ago were you attacked?” he asked.

Lena’s breath hitched. She considered running; she was exhausted and out of breath, sure, but he’d never catch her with an injured leg.

“How did you know?” she asked instead.

“Like calls to like. Besides, you didn’t seem like a thrill seeker or a looter when you entered the chamber last night,” he said.

Lena shivered, remembering what it felt like to lose control.

“Is that where they come from then? Wraiths?” she asked, goosebumps rising across her flesh as she asked.

“Would explain it, wouldn’t it?” he said, and then he lowered his head and sighed. “But I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

An image of the sickly appendage emerging from the hole flashed in her mind, and she shook her head, desperate to be rid of it.

“So…how long?” he asked again.

“Three days.”

“Three?!” Leonid gaped at her, and then his expression changed into one of knowing. “Who then?”

“Who what?” she asked, confusion crinkling her brow.

“Who was your first? Your first soul? You wouldn’t be functioning very well today, much less have been able to spare me, if you hadn’t already fed it.”

Fed it?

Lena’s stomach lurched, and bile rose in her throat. Leonid must have noticed her expression because his face softened, and regret crept into his features. She couldn’t help the tears that welled up in her eyes then.

“Okay, it’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. It wasn’t purposeful then, you feeding it?”

“Can we not call it that, please!” Lena snapped.

Leonid held his hands up in apology. “You’re starting to turn,” he said, more a statement than a question although she could tell it was both.

It was one thing to admit to having a wraithwound but another all together to openly admit she was turning. Lena had suspected as much when she woke up in the tunnels, and then again some moments ago when her vision went black around the edges as she worked to free Leonid. As much as she wanted to think it was due to exhaustion and her injuries, she knew deep down that wasn’t true.

But she didn’t know this man. She didn’t know if she could trust him or what he might do if she confirmed it. If he happened to be a member of the militia, it would be his duty to kill her before she turned. She chewed on her lip, considering what she knew about him. It was unlikely. Militia members weren’t known to go into the fallen city for any reason. Most of them were cowards hiding behind the authority they were given and using it to perpetuate cruelty, just like their leader.

In the absence of a legitimate ruler and propped up by the chaos and fear that swept through the land after Dovia fell, a group of mercenaries had taken control of Reimar. First, they’d focused on stifling any political dissent, and then they had systematically disseminated propaganda to influence the elders of every town into accepting their control as the only way to keep the people safe. Initially, they had sent out patrols to guard the cities, but once the infiltration was complete, the beheadings began.

Not long after, one of the mercenaries had decided to consolidate his power, slaughtering everyone who had helped the group ascend to power, along with anyone else who might have challenged him or knew his true name. He became known only as the Commander and focused on building a small army made of separate militias to protect his power. He accepted anyone who was willing to fight on his behalf. The Commander’s army was second only to soulbound soldiers when it came to ridding the realm of wraiths, but effective, nonetheless.

Lena took in his appearance. With thinning hair, chestnut eyes, and a strong nose, Leonid’s face looked sun-worn like he’d spent a lot of time outside. A traveler perhaps.

His lips thinned as he waited for Lena’s response.