Marked

35

Myra

It had been three days of walking after the Hideaway disappeared and we were still no closer to finding an end to this mess. Luka either ignoring me or blocking me from his thoughts and visions, I didn’t miss the vision. But I did miss the bond we shared. Something was wrong and he had stopped trusting me. 

A rock bounced off my leg I looked back at Rykar his head was in one of the books that hadn’t disappeared with the Hideaway. Rykar barley spoke any more. He had found something before Drake showed up and almost. A chill ran up my spine. What was it Drake called the Hideaway; Itza if she hadn’t disappeared Rykar would be dead right now.

Rykar hadn’t mentioned what he found since and when I asked he said he needed more time. I didn’t want to press it, but we had been wandering with no real direction for days now and if you knew something that could help…

Luna called back, “We should make camp for the night.”

Luna had forgiven me for Hailey. “You never would have let them take Nyght” or Hailey I wanted to correct.  But I had wanted my friend back, even if she spent most of her time with my brother. 

Rykar walked into me. “That would be great.” His blue eyes sparkled and as he smiled “I think… I don’t know for sure. I might have found something.” He sat down on a fallen tree.

Luna chuckled. “Guess this is home for tonight. Myra will gather some wood for the fire. I would ask one of these two. But that one.” She pointed to Rykar. “Is lost in that book. And the other one, well he would find some kind of trouble and I would like one night of peace.”

“Hey, that squirrel started it,” Luka teased.

“Sure.” Luna and I said together.

****

It had been harder than I thought to find good wood. It must have rained in this area almost everything I found had been soaked. Plus the cloak that Luna had insisted I wear kept falling in my face. 

Luka’s voice entered my thoughts. What is taking you so long?

Before I could answer a person in, at least I was sure it was a person fell from the trees and trapped me under them. I struggled, pushing and kicking at the person above me. It should not have taken me as long as it did to recognize my attacker. I had closed my eyes thinking it was, well Drake. When I opened them, I saw the white glow that shone from her skin. “Ransom?”

“Princess?”

I pushed the hood off my face. I was really getting sick of everyone calling me Princess.

“That cape makes you look like a man.” She mumbled while helping me back to my feet.

Mikhail emerged from the trees; it took me a moment to recognize him. He was not wearing the traditional green and browns of his people. Instead, he wore the black fitted covering of the warriors of Deirdre. I trusted him, but not sure why they were here I pulled my sword from it's sheath.

Ransom moved in front of me. “He’s a friend.” 

“I know he is a friend.” I snapped.

She looked at the sword in my hand, eyebrows raised. 

“You attacked me Ransom.”

She shrugged, then turned to Mikhail. “I always wonder what her voice would sound like. For some reason I thought it would sound more bird like.” 

I rolled my eyes. She thought I would sound like a bird. “Why I am not surprised that you would attack first and ask questions later.” Realizing there was no threat I put my sword away. “You were always a bit sloppy when it comes to stealth”

“Or taking someone alive,” Luna said.

 When had she gotten here? I turned towards Luna’s voice. Rykar and Luka were standing next her armed and ready for a fight. Had I called out to him when Ransom… surprised me? Luka nodded at me as if he had heard my question.  So he was still listening for me, but blocking me from him. 

“Who says I was going to let her live… ” Ransom smirked.

Mikhail moved to stand next to Ransom. “It would have been a sloppy kill.” He smiled. “Even for you.”

I had not seen Mikhail since the night that Luka and Nyght had first disappeared and it had only been for a moment across the dance floor. He looked different, darker or sadder; I hoped that the rumors were not true. To lose your home and entire family in one day was a terrible thing. At least I had my brothers.

Ransom crossed her arms. “I had her.” 

Mikhail winked at me. “Maybe,” And put his arm around her shoulder. A sign of affection, one I had missed. 

I reached out for Nyght hoping he would hear me, but knowing he won’t.  

Luna whispered to Luka loud enough for everyone to hear. “It might have been a good thing that they never talked.” She motioned to Ransom and me.

“The princess knows that I would never harm a member of a Royal family.” She smiled. At least not one I liked.” 

Rykar stared at us, arms cross and foot tapping. “Now that we have that cleared up, maybe we could get back to finding a way to destroy Drake.”

“You found it?” I asked. 

“We will find the last piece at Ragdun.” He stomped back towards camp. “And the rest of the Marked.”

The land of fire and ice…

The rest of the Marked.