The Last Hope

26 - Enemy

SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER - Siren, Kailee Morgue. Linked above! If you enjoy the chapter please vote and share, it means a lot. Also, I actively encourage commenting and am trying my best to reply to any as quickly as I can. Want a chat? Don't be shy!

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Thirty minutes for Mona to find them, Sebastian had said last night. Mercy kept repeating this to herself the next morning as she watched her footing, wandering through the snow-covered woods. Moss coated every boulder, every tree, making every surface extra slippery. A small stream was frozen over, flowing towards the river, weaving in and out of humongous pines. She stumbled and skidded over the ground as she picked her way towards where Sebastian was walking.

Much further in front, and with much less clumsy footing, he moved swiftly. Mercy scrutinised his steps, he didn't watch his feet like she did, didn't cling onto nearby branches to avoid going over on his ass. So graceful, it was almost like he was gliding. And Mercy might have believed this if she wasn't able to see his footprints up ahead in the snow.

She stumbled again, this time a rock she hadn't noticed shifted under her feet. Her ankle rolled and she cursed loudly, hopping around. Up ahead, Sebastian stopped and turned, but he didn't come closer. His expression was back in that bored, disdainful look. Thirty minutes, Mercy repeated to herself and checked to see that her icy wall was still intact around her mind. She didn't want Sebastian to have any more insight into her thoughts - he already knew more about her than she was comfortable with. Just thirty minutes.

It took Mona ten.

They appeared in a flash of light, Lincoln holding the hands of both Mona and Ariah. Trees shuddered and birds fled as they emerged from a shadow.

"Mer, get away from him."
"He's not dangerous," Mercy held up both hands in surrender.

Sebastian looked offended, "not dangerous? I don't know where she got that from."
"Shut up." Mercy spat at him, Sebastian shot her a look but wisely didn't say anything as she stepped in front of him, cutting off Ariah's line of attack, she was coiled and ready for a fight.

"He saved my life, and he's going to help us." Mercy told them all, desperately meeting each of their eyes.
"He works for Cressida, we can't trust him." Lincoln spat out, directing his anger at Sebastian.
"Ever heard of a double agent, Lincoln?"
Lincoln's brows rose, but he didn't let his curiosity out in a question. The prince seemed to notice anyway, "oh yes, I know who you are. You could say that Mercy and I had a little tête-à-tête about you." Lincoln bristled but didn't say anything.

Sebastian's gaze shifted sharply to Ariah, sizing her up, "Miss Levarde, you survived, I see. It's a terrible shame Svahera didn't fare so well," Ariah pulled back her teeth in a snarl and moved to launch herself at Sebastian, but Mona stepped in front of her.

Sebastian's eyes positively glowed. "The witch. Your husband sends his love, Mona Lucille-"

"That's enough, Sebastian." Mercy shot him a scornful look over her shoulder and his smile turned manic, but he became silent as Mercy took another step forward, towards Mona and the Sentinels. "I know what this looks like," she approached slowly, hands in the air before her, "but Sebastian saved my life. He's given me back my magic-"

"So, you trust him now? How stupid can you-"

"Be quiet, Ariah." Mercy's burning eyes turned on Ariah, whose mouth gaped open but produced no sound. "I think we should work with him."

"He works for our enemy," Mona shot daggers at Sebastian over Mercy's shoulder. Sebastian just gave her an impish grin and walked backwards to lean against a tree. He plucked a dagger from the bandolier he wore across his chest and worked it underneath his nails, the picture of boredom.