A Hymn of Snakes

TEN

     My body curled against the glass of the library, watching the moon descend as the daylight was upon us. I didn't desire to sleep so I found every book imaginable about the Amilcar family and I intended on getting information. I've always hated being at a stand still, unable to do anything until the other person made the first move.

Ithe allowed the hair on my arms to rise as my body jumped from it's position, something was wrong. I stole the newly fashioned sword from the table and strapped it to the side of my hip, as I entered the corridor ruckus yelled around the corner. "There is a Lost in the city!" Someone yelled as I quickly sputtered to where the voices were coming from.

Keepers called around each other as Theron crossed my path, his eyes patient to watch me. A voice wrecked as Ithe called in my ear. "Send out Squadron Nine and Eleven." This month's Master called, Holstien and Alex joined me as I watched the frantic running of the Keepers. Panic stilled in the movement of their bodies, like ants searching for their Queen. It was hard to concentrate on what was happening. The Keepers prepared their weapons together as my ex fiancé was getting ready to go. He looked at me before he was stopped, "Theron, take your group with you- waste no time. Take every precaution and watch each other's backs. We will not allow a manslaughter. Find this Lost, otherwise human bodies will pile up!" The Master called out, I marched up to him and my heart stilled.

Ithe and I could find the Lost. "I'm going too." I offered my help, but I could see the strain in his eyes.

As I sat my hand down on the hilt of my blade, the Master puffed up his chest and turned away from me. Surano watched me from afar, the other Keepers forced their glare into my back. "I don't think so witch." The Master refused me, I blinked. Knowing this guy couldn't be serious.

I justified my actions, pointing at myself as the argument began. The Keepers couldn't seriously be refusing help from me, not even the face that I'm a traitor. "I've killed a Lost on my own, three actually. You need me." If they couldn't locate the lost in time then it would kill as many people as possible.

"You'll be a distraction." He told me.

The Master tried to walk away from me, so I grabbed his wrist and turned him to me. His gray eyes turned with his wrinkles, stupid old man. "You'll need all your assets out to find it." I could see Holstien's head nod in agreement, the Keepers stilled instead of preparing for war. They all had their hands on their weapons not for the Lost- but for me. "Bucharest is huge, you need everyone that can help. Don't let your pride get in the way of mortal safety." I said, releasing my grasp on the man's wrist.

He snapped his fingers and two Keepers came to each of my side. "I said stand down soldier." He warned me, turning and walking away.

I reached out for the Master but both of the Keepers bound my arms behind my back. Ithe hissed in my ear as my voice twisted with rage. "Let me go." I pulled my arms unbound and pushed off the two Keepers, I felt the skin around my wrist. "Let me help." I announced and the Master froze from his steps. The room quieted, but slowly came back to life with the help of gossip. My eyes fell on Theron who looked worried, but that would be wrong. My ex fiancé didn't care about anyone but himself.

"You work for the Queen now, you're not a Keeper anymore." The Master refused to turned to face me like a coward, I coiled my fingers into a fist. Holstein came to my side and soon I noticed Alex there too. I'm not a Keeper anymore, but I've always felt like I never was one in the beginning. "You stay here." I was ordered and rebellion rose in my chest. The Keepers peeled from the hallway and out into the city streets. The moonlight escaped the room as I watched the starry night above the city in danger. People would die.

Alex put his hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort the rage that festered in my lungs. The shadow didn't like being touched by the Prince, Ithe distorted in my mind. "It's fine Delia, I'm sure they'll handle it." He told me but he wasn't helping.