Chapter 11

Everything’s a blur. I hear a muffled beeping hum, which gradually gets louder. A blurry figure appears in the dimly-lit, cozy room, then disappears. The tiny, warm lanterns are the only source of light. “She’s awake!” The person calls, then rushes in again, gently checking my pulse. I hear the click of machines.

As my vision slowly sharpens, I make out Saber. “I’m so glad you’re okay, oh my days, what happened?”

“Saber…” I breathe.

Axel comes in, and the moment he sees me, his eyes brighten, looking intensely relieved. “You’re safe here, Raven, you’ll be okay.”

I hear heavy footsteps echoing down the hall, clicking on the wooden floor. Minutes later, Solar dashes in, panting heavily. “I was out, what happened?” She looks around, and her gaze lands on me. Her eyebrows shoot up, and her confused expression breaks into a smile. “Raven! You’re awake!” She hugs me tight. “You don’t understand how worried I was…”

Her voice cracks. “I thought you were going to die.”

I suddenly notice a figure standing by the door. Draco. He’s watching me, his gaze shadowed ominously. I stiffen, and force myself to ignore him.

Wait.

“What happened?” I turn to Solar. “You passed out,” she explains. “at that time, both Tribes were fighting over the pendant. Doesn’t matter. Anyways, we got you to Madal and he saved you just in time. It’s been three days, Raven.”

Suddenly, everything else rushes back to me. The battle. The pendant. And…

“Dylan!” I inhale sharply. “What? Who?” Solar asks with confusion. “No. I need to get to him. Where is he?” I gasp, sitting up, completely ignoring Solar’s questions.

Realization crosses Solar’s face. “Oh, Cobra’s assassin? Why do you care so much?” Solar says dismissively. “We need to run a few more checkups.”

“No, no, you don’t understand!” I wheeze, looking frantically from Saber to Axel to Solar. Axel’s gaze hardens. “That’s none of your business, Raven. There’s more important things to take care of at the moment.”

“But I need to know.” I protest with frustration.

I get out of bed, slamming my feet onto the ground, and try to run, but I stumble. Saber catches me. “Solar’s right, why do you care about him so much?” My vision seems to swim.

“You won’t understand, Saber, I’m sorry,” I pant breathlessly, then stagger out of the room. “You’re not strong enough!” Saber argues when I push past him. Draco is gone, and I don’t give him a second thought. “There’s not enough time! Thorn…Thorn’s going to kill him!” I gasp. Saber narrows his eyes. “Raven, that’s not something you should worry about. Listen, you just woke up, your mind is foggy, and you can barely walk.”

“I need to—”

Axel turns towards me. “You are not going anywhere, young lady.”

“But—”

“It’s final, don’t bother arguing,” Saber says softly, his gaze flicking to me.

“Axel, please?” I ask, trying one last time. “Please. It’s someone’s life on the line.”

“He’s part of Cobra!” Axel snaps, impatient. He takes a deep breath. “Or even less. He doesn’t belong anywhere. Guilty of killing half of Cobra’s population that one time just because of Thorn’s orders. His life shouldn’t matter, especially not to you.”

I open my mouth to defend myself. “I—”

“Stay away from that boy. And Cobra.” Axel’s eyes darken. “They’re dangerous.”

I want to keep arguing, but I stop myself. My jaw tightens. There’s no use arguing. I’ll find a way. I’ll find a way to get to him. Tonight.

Grabbing my favorite dagger, a few healing pastes, cloth, bandages, and a lock pick—just in case. I attach them to a weapon belt on my waist, and wait. When I see the last light finally flicker off, I race out of my room and dash into the forest, my chest heaving, praying that no one will notice me running out. At least, I try to run. My leg is still carrying bad injuries, and I have bruises and wounds on my legs, despite the Healer’s efforts to mend me back together using the remedies.

A fresh wave of guilt washes over me again when I remember I would’ve been dead if it wasn’t for Dylan. That’s why I need to save him. Who knows what Thorn is doing right now?

I fidget with my dagger while I continue as fast as I can towards Cobra’s territory. But really…does he deserve to live? Over the past year, Cobra’s population decreased by half.

It didn’t take long to get to their camp. It looks way different from the warm, cozy, and sun-lit base of Eclipse. Even at night, it lights up with lanterns and fairy lights.

Cobra’s camp, however, is dark and gloomy, no lights to be seen anywhere. The main building is tall, reaching several feet high, and carefully constructed. Carvings line the beautifully structured corners, with a smooth, dark grey finish. It is very hard to see, and I squint to locate the door.

It is to the far right from me, facing away from the entrance of when I first stumbled in. Pretty strange set up.

“Thorn told us to take the shift for the night. Come on, Faeythe.” A deep voice reaches my ears, approaching closer. My heart thumps faster, and I scramble towards a bush of thick leaves, crouching behind it. I try to slow my breathing.

“Coming, Ace.” A female replied.

I hold my breath as they pass way too close for comfort. Then, peeking through the leaves, it is easy to see who I assume is Faeythe, a woman with strawberry blonde hair that’s held back in a messy braid, long lashes, and soft, hazel eyes. A long battle wound is scarred across her neck. It looks fresh. I allow myself a small smile, knowing it is from the clash with Eclipse. A man is standing beside her, I assume is Ace, has black hair, onyx eyes, and very pale, scarred skin.

Great. I can’t deal with two soldiers by myself, especially when the only useful weapon is one dagger. I should’ve known.

While they talk quietly, my eyes dash around to look for any possible opening. I know there is one. Ace and Faeythe looked like they came out of nowhere. That’s impossible.

My eyes land on a spot on the right side, which appears to be caving in slightly more than the rest of the building. It’s surrounded by ferns and other plants.

I creep towards the other side, silently stalking. The soldiers don’t seem to notice. They are too busy bickering about something, like some old couple.

When I’m out of sight, I shakily stand up and limp quickly towards it. Taking a deep breath, I press myself against the rectangular cave-in. My hands meet with the cold stone. Without much effort, surprisingly, the door moves in. I take a few steps back as it moves to the other side. The stone brushes the frame, and makes a small squeak. I slam my eyes shut, hoping it will somehow block the noise from being heard.

I can hear them still arguing. They didn’t seem to notice as I slip through. But it’s good for me.

In the opening, a staircase spirals upward, disappearing into darkness. Maybe I should’ve brought a small flashlight or something. Well, too late now. I close the door behind me, and this time, it makes no sound.

Pressing my hands against the skinny, curved walls for guidance, I feel my way up. My foot kicks against one of the stairs, and I almost trip. They really need a light in here.

Finally, I reach the top. A small torch set alight helps me to see clearly as my eyes adjust. The room is big. Really big. The polished, shiny, wooden floor is cool beneath my feet.

My footsteps sound so loud as I make my way towards a big and painted black door. I grab the huge doorknob, which held a carving of a snake, and I suddenly hesitate. Who knows where this leads? There is another staircase, heading up. I decide to take the risk. I try to look for any clues of struggling, or anything left behind.

I sigh with relief when the knob doesn’t creak, and it reveals a straight way down, lit up by more small torches. The stairs are awfully narrow and steep.

I limp down the stairs. They are wooden, and it makes a click when my heel lands on it. I wince as my bad leg lets out a shot of pain, and I hold onto the railing to prevent myself from falling down.

I suddenly lose my grip on the railing as another spasm racks my leg, and I fall forward, tumbling to the ground with a thud. I bite my tongue to stop myself from crying out, slamming my mouth shut.

You’re okay, you’re okay, I tell myself, wincing. Get up.

I see another door. How many rooms are in here? I’m going to get lost. It’s like navigating a maze.

I hesitate. Should I open it?

After a moment’s pause, I decide that it’s better to risk it. Jumping on my good leg, I turn the knob slowly, and peek in.

Dylan.

He is restrained by chains. Heavy, rusted chains wrapped numerous times over his arms, forcing him to his knees. His head drooping. The weapons that once lined his back, are now scattered on the ground. A bloody mess. His hair is dangling down, messy and tangled.

“No, no, no.”

My body starts to shake. “No,” I whisper again, and a wave of nausea comes over me. I am too late. No. I can’t be too late.

The thoughts claw into my mind, over and over.

I close my eyes, trying desperately to gather myself up. Come on. Stay together. Stay strong. My stomach lurches again, and I catch myself, swallowing hard.

I force myself to open my eyes again, and slowly approach Dylan, kneeling down. My breath catches in my throat. My heart hammers as I reach my hand slowly to his face, lifting his head gently, longing desperately to see any signs of breathing. His eyes are closed.

“Dylan…Dylan please,” I whisper to him. “wake up-” My voice breaks. “Wake up, please.”

Nothing. Just silence.

My breath lurches.

His eyes suddenly flicker. He’s alive. He’s alive and that’s all that matters. He squints at me, his vision cloudy and unfocused. “Who…” he barely breathes out. “…are you…?”

“It’s me, it’s me, Raven,” I gasp despairingly. “Don’t you see? I came to get you.”

“Do…do I know you?” He exhales weakly. No familiarity, no recognition. Just…emptiness. His eyes look hollow and hopeless.

I suddenly realize. They didn’t just chain him up. They didn’t just beat him.

They drugged him.

Panic rises in my chest. What do I do now?

I need to free him. Yes.

Reaching for the lock pick, I grasp it in my sweaty hands and gently reach for the chains, feeling for the lock. Then, with the pick’s help and after a lot of struggling, the lock clicks open. Now for the other one. “Stay with me, Dylan,” I murmur as I untangle them, freeing his left arm. It drops to the ground limply. His eyes flutter. “Don’t you dare die, idiot,” I say fiercely. “I’m not letting you.”

I shake him gently to keep him awake. “Keep fighting.”

“It…hurts…” he whispers faintly. “I’m here, just a little longer,” I mutter as I work the second lock, twisting the pick around, longing to hear the click.

Suddenly, a slow clap reverberates through the room.

“How wholesome.”

I snap around to see Thorn. She’s staring at me with her merciless eyes. “It makes me kind of wish I don’t have to do this,” she says sarcastically. “Unfortunately, darling, I have to.”

“Thorn,” I hiss. Before I know it, Thorn gestures and her guards surround me. “I don’t get it, what’s your name?” She laughs. “I don’t think it matters. You should be thanking me.”

My anger rises like flames. “Why? For tormenting a human?”

Her eyes look up in fake thoughtfulness. “Oh, I don’t know, for tying him up for you.”

My hands start sweating again. I crouch low, staring at her defiant eyes. “What are you trying to say, Thorn?” I snap.

“I’m doing you a favor. You always wondered why your parents would leave you behind.”

I stiffen. “Don’t bring my parents up in this.” Why do they matter in this conversation? I swallow, remembering my earliest memories. Thorn ignores me and continues. “You keep repeating that he’s worth saving just because he’s human. But you don’t know how much a human can actually do, can you?”

“Shut up,” I shout at her, trying to push all the fumble of feelings back inside me.

“That night…you thought you knew the story, eh? That they abandoned you? No, darling, they were taken from you.”

“I said shut up!” I yell again, gasping.

“They died at a human’s hands. I was there. I saw everything,” she drawls slowly. Confidently.

“STOP!” I screech, lunging for Thorn. She dodges to the side, her face a look of scorn. My chest is heaving. “It’s not true. You’re lying!”

Thorn gives a malicious smile. “Oh no I’m not. You’ve got it all wrong. He killed them.”

“No-”

“Yes.” Thorn looks at me, almost frightfully gentle. “I’m so sorry. You poor girl.”

“I don’t need your PITY!” I scream at her, my voice cracking.

“But you see, I’m doing you a favor by locking him up. He deserves it,” Thorn jeers, glancing over at Dylan.

“But, I’ll give you a choice.”

I glare at her, my eyes murderous. I’m going to kill her. I will. She’s lying. Don’t believe…

But what if it’s the truth? It can’t be. They left me. Out of their own will. They must’ve. But why? I shake my head vigorously, confused. My hands are freezing. But not from the cold.

Thorn steps to the side to reveal a straight pathway out. She gestures to the guards, but they don’t move. That’s what frightens me most.

“Go ahead. Take him with you. Question him. Then you’ll see.”

My heart lurches into my throat. What if she’s right? No. She can’t be. “Or…you can avenge your parents. You can pay them back. You can slit his throat. You have the power here.”

I’m caught.

“I…”

Thorn smiles. “I know you want to.”

I clench my jaw tight. I’ll do the opposite of what she wants. No matter the cost. Sharply, I free Dylan from the second chain, drag him up to his feet, and stumble out.

Behind me, I can hear Thorn’s echoing voice.

“Very interesting. Let’s see how long that choice lasts, shall we?”

Like she’s calculating her next move.