House Of Madness

Chapter 8 Time Is Of The Essence

"We don't have much time, I can feel him gaining on us", Kit was very shaken.
Since she had known Nik he had changed.
He had never been sweet but once he had been kind, kind to her.
The old Nik never would have threatened to murder Ari, his own brother.
The old Nik had loved Ari with everything he had.
Clearly that brotherly love was no more.
"What are we going to do? You said it yourself, it's only a matter of time until he catches us."
Ivy liked to give up.
Not because she was a quitter but because she was tried.
She had been so tired all her life.
"Ivy listen to me! I know someone she'll help us!
Just we have to keep moving!"
Ivy hadn't wanted to listen but she had cared enough for Kit that she hadn't wanted her to die.
Kit would die, they both would.
If they hadn't moved, if they stopped running when Nik found them he would be out for blood.
Ivy ran with Kit, they had to run at human speed because Ivy only looked fae, she didn't actually have any fae gifts.

"We're almost here, Ember! It's Kit! I've gotten myself into some trouble and I need some help! I'm with a friend, she needs help too! EMBER!"
The closer Ivy and Kit had gotten to Skywood square the more desperate Kit had called for  Ember.
"Please! You have to help us he's going to kill us!"
Other fae walking about stared at Kit and Ivy but didn't seem to think anything was out of the ordinary.
'Must be everyday someone is screaming for help', Ivy thought.
Kit had turned and pulled Ivy down a dark street.
Kit had suddenly stopped, she stood looking at a cold wet wall, "please. I have nowhere else to go."
Ivy had thought Kit mad, talking at a rocky wet wall.
She hadn't thought it for longer because the wall opened, what Ivy would later learn was a young griffin women stood there with a scowl on her face. "You can't stay here, but you can stay for the night."
"Thank you Ember."
Ember had been the name of the beautiful griffin woman who had graciously let Ivy and Kit in.
A beautiful griffin woman with light skin, straight black hair, honey eyes, magnificent big wings and a tail.

As soon as Ivy and Kit were in the rocky wall closer, "this way."
They had followed Ember down the dark wet rocky tunnels.
Until the came to a small room.
"You can stay here for the night but you are to be gone first thing in the morning."
"We understand, we thank you for your hospitality. We will not forget the kindness you have shown us." Kit had said.
Ember seemed irritated but nodded in acknowledgement.
"We're free Ivy!" Kit said with a smile so big it seemed fake to Ivy.
They were far from free. They were only allowed to stay until morning and as soon as they left Nik would find them!
So no, they weren't free.
At least no for long.
Kit had been a fool for thinking otherwise.

Kit had officially missed her trial and would be on the run for the rest of her life.
Key word, Kit.
Ivy was also wanted but she was just a ordinary human.
She was expendable, after a couple weeks fae guards would probably stop looking for her because they would assume she was dead.
Nik wasn't a concern either, he had the compass so after some time he would find a new lying human to obsess over.

Kit on the other hand, would always be looked for.
She would always have a hit on her head.
Kit was a danger to Ivy and Ivy knew she needed to lose her.
Ivy knew she needed to lose Kit if she wanted a second chance at life.

Nik had searched all day and night for Ivy and Kit.
He had been furious at them but had understood why they ran.
He would never admit to it but he had been almost impressed that Ivy had been brave enough to run.
Or maybe just stupid enough.
He had wondered all of Skywood, using his magic looking for them, having no luck.
Even with his influence, mind gifts and amazing sense of smell it hadn't been enough.
He couldn't look for them all day, he had royal commitments he had to attend to.
The public would notice his absence including his parents.

Morning came too soon.
"Wake up! You need to leave! By having both of you here I have already committed treason and god knows whatever else!"
'Ember was beautiful even when she yelled', Ivy thought.
"Zade will walk you out."
Kit had snarled at that.
"He's not exactly your biggest fan either Kit", Ember said.