Fractured Crown (Book 1: Terra)

Chapter 41

It took Iris – all of them, actually, including Mazikeen – a while to register that the water sprout that had burst from the ground was Raena. Iris's heart drummed in her chest as Braedon suddenly lurched towards the unconscious girl in the white bundle of clothes, curled into a foetal position. He sprinted to her, not caring as he practically fell to her side, skidding onto his knees as he gripped her shoulders tenderly, hands trembling.

What had happened to her?

He called out her name, once, twice, but she didn't respond, and Braedon cupped her cheeks in his hand, putting his forehead against hers before feeling for a pulse on her wrist. She seemed to be alive, but only just. Sage had also stumbled to Raena's side as he placed a firm hand on Braedon's shoulder.

"She needs help!" Braedon whirled his head around, but nobody else moved, their attention split between what they had just witnessed Raena do, to the threat that stood with whip in hand, her expression unreadable as the assassin glanced at Braedon and Sage, then Raena. Iris wanted to run to her sister's side too, but all logic screamed at her to keep her eyes on the assassin before them, to keep cool, keep collected, because nobody else seemed capable of doing as much in this moment.

Mazikeen began to walk towards Raena and Braedon threw his arms around Raena like a shield. Grandpa Sage stood his ground firmly, facing Mazikeen with a grim expression on his face. She continued to make a beeline towards them, her movements steady, purposeful.

"Mazikeen, stop!" Iris shouted, her voice wavering.

Trevet took out a gun from his utility belt, poising it towards Mazikeen, his hand clearly shaking. "I'll shoot."

She turned towards him and scoffed. "You think you can kill me with that cheap weapon? Give it your best shot."

Trevet pulled the safety off. "I mean it!"

Mazikeen looked unamused. "No, you don't."

Trevet's hand continued to tremble, but he didn't lower the gun. "Don't tempt me."

Mazikeen heaved a long, impatient sigh, and then, she did the thing Iris had least imagined she might ever do. The mighty assassin tucked away her whip and held up her hands, palms up. "I'm here to help." She seemed to almost choke on the last word as if she had swallowed venom.

"Bull," Iris snorted, remembering with vivid accuracy the ferocity in which Mazikeen had attacked her that first day. This was one sister that couldn't be trusted, despite Iris's hopes and dreams of a reunited family.

Mazikeen let out an infuriating snarl. "If I said I'm here to help, I'm here to help, you little brat." She balled her hands into fists, then relaxed them, before talking in a slightly less irritated tone. "I need your help, alright? So, you help me, I help you." Her words were very robotic and strained, like it pained her to be here talking somewhat civilly when the only language she seemed to speak was violence.

Trevet shook his head. "Since when does the assassin queen need help from anyone?"

Mazikeen didn't respond. In the distance, gunshots could be heard, and they seemed to be getting closer. Iris knew that the Lymphans were gaining ground, and there was no guarantee it was the revolutionary group led by Caspian...

Iris felt like her gut had been punched at the thought of him stuck there, helping them escape, risking his life... Iris cast a solemn glance at Trevet, who had his eyes trained in terror at the assassin who smiled tauntingly at him. Trevet would never forgive her if something happened to Caspian. She wasn't even sure she could forgive herself...

And what were they supposed to do now? If they ran back, they'd be met with armed Lymphans. If they tried to run forwards... well, escaping an assassin was probably harder than running from an angry mob. Either way, both options seemed out of the question what with Raena unconscious, and half the group not being exactly in the best state to endure running or battling. And anyway, where exactly could they run or hide for that matter? They were stuck right where they were, between two death threats.