The Seventh Crow

Part 29

It was complete chaos. People were running and screaming. Rubble from the building was falling on the street below.

I look around the area. Kaz and Inej are nowhere to be found. I saw them not too long ago, they should be close.

Running in some direction, more bombs went off. The whole building next to me collapses. Quickly, I move to the side before rubble hits me.

Someone had the same idea. He ran right into me, forcing me to the ground. Completely unaware that he just pushed someone to the ground. 

From all the people running, it was inevitable for someone to step on my fingers. I quickly pull them towards my body.

Get up! My thoughts screamed at me. I force myself up. I need to make my way to the meeting spot. Everyone is smart. They will find their way there.

"Go!" someone screams. "Get out of here."

"Not without you!" another screams.

I tried to focus, but everything was chaotic. Even my mind. All it took was seconds before I'm pulled back into a memory I wanted to forget.

The Drüskelle were closing in. I checked before we left. The safety checkpoints never lit the signal. We were supposed to be safe.

Unless that short flicker of light was actually... oh Djel... that was the warning. The Drüskelle got to the signal and put it out before it could grow.

"What are we going to do?" Alev whispers to me.

The Grisha in our group knew something was wrong. The Heartrenders can feel our pulses racing.

"We get them across the border," I whisper. "Complete our original plan."

"Are you insane?"

Yes. This is one of the craziest ideas that I've had in forever. Definitely not going to end well for anyone involved. But, it could end well. I just need to give them time.

"You need to get them across the border," I say.

"I'm not leaving you."

"You have no choice. I'm the one who got us into this situation. Get them over the border! Protect them Alev."

Alev stares at me for a second. The urgency must not have been processed.

"Alev!"

"What do you mean it's your fault?"

"We don't have time. Alev, the Grisha."

"What do you mean?"

I look over at the worried Grisha. Some were getting into fighting stances. Others were trying to protect their children.

"Alev..." I whisper. "Please. Get them across the border. Complete the mission."

Alev doesn't look happy with my plan, but he nods. This is our best chance. We will split up. He will take the Grisha to the border, I'll distract the Drüskelle.

Not the greatest plan, especially since I know how this will end, but at least it's something. They will have a chance.

The Drüskelle rode up next to me. Each one circled me. No room for an escape. Keep their attention.

"Hello," I say.

"Where are they?" a man with one blond braid asks me.

"Where are who?"

"The group of Grisha."

"I haven't seen any Grisha."

"Then what are you doing out here?" a different Drüskelle called.

"Can't a woman go on a walk?"

"Away from any civilization?" the blond braid asks.

"I never noticed."

The Drüskelle who was next to the blond braid slid off his horse. He was tall. Taller than Matthias if at all possible. My heart was already pounding, but his height made me feel like I was going to faint.

"I think you're lying," he comments.

"I have nothing to lie about."

"You're in a very bad situation," the blond braid states.

"For going on a walk? I didn't know that was a crime that Drüskelle worried about."

The tall man walks closer. Circling me as if my body will give away any kind of secrets. I should be cooperating, but I have to stall. Give them time to run.

"You see," he whispers to me. "You look a lot like someone. I can't quite place my finger on it."
Matthias.

"Not sure who. I don't have a family."

"Family? Who said anything about family."

An alarm goes off inside of me. If it's not family, if it's not Matthias, then how do they know who I look like?

The tall one laughs before hitting me over the head with something very hard. Everything goes pitch black.