Heirs to a Nothing Throne

Chapter 15

The shock of seeing another person, especially one reclining in the shade so casually, kept me silent. Her gaze held no emotion for a moment before surprise registered and dropped her jaw.

Standing up, she adjusted to the situation faster than I could, saying, "W-what... Who are you?!"

We walked towards each other, Eva and Angelique remaining where they'd stopped. I responded, "Chevaliers... trying to kill us... right behind..." I turned and pointed nowhere in particular. "Right there..."

"Can you help?" Angelique asked.

The new girl thought for a moment, worried and still taken aback. I glanced behind us, the sounds of pursuit getting closer.

"Fine," she said. "It's not like I want to help the Chevaliers. Come on." She took off back into the mess of rocks, making sure we were following. Following someone who apparently knew their way around this place was comforting, even if she was a stranger.

We finally turned a corner right into an enormous rock, cut flat on this side. Set into it was a single doorway, without any other exterior decorations.

The girl brought out a key, slid it smoothly into the door, and entered. She closed it behind us when we followed and locked it again. Inside was a small room, with a door on one side and a flight of stairs in front of us.

"You should be safe here, probably, you know." She pointed her finger at the stairs. We didn't know what else to do, so we obeyed. My feet felt like they'd give out each time I lowered myself down a step. Adrenaline kept my legs shaking as we stumbled into a living-room type of space, with two couches against opposite walls, a wooden coffee table between them, and a fireplace at the far end. It had decent carpeting and cozy brown walls. Hanging light kept bathed everything in a warm glow. There were two closed doors on opposite sides.

The whole scene was jarring, far too modern for anything we'd seen on the island. I sat on one of the couches, sinking into its cool leather. A crackling fire warmed the room and scented the air. It was very comfortable, but some part of me felt bad about our sweaty, muddy bodies lounging in this room. A silly thought, considering the situation.

We stayed silent, casting nervous glances at each other, listening for the sound of Chevaliers stomping down the stairs. Angelique was the only one who didn't take a seat. After a moment she decided to close and lock the door.

Someone pounded away at the door above us. When there wasn't an answer, the visitor tried again. A lock was unlatched, the door was opened.

"Theta, we are here pursuing a trio of humans, who were last seen heading in this direction. Have you seen them?"

She responded, "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't allowed to come near here."

"Such a law is excused in extreme circumstances, such as when humans not only end up on the island but escape confinement."

"News to me."

"Don't push it with the attitude, Theta. Timore should have killed you, not handed you real estate."

"But he chose not to. Now, I haven't seen these people, so please move along. I'll tell you if I find them."

"We will, Theta. Contact us if you do see them. And Theta, if you are lying, then I will personally do what Timore should have."

"Why would I lie? You know how supportive I am of you guys." The door closed, and it was locked again. There was a moment of silence, and then light footsteps could be heard descending down the stairs to us. The girl, Theta I guess, tried the knob. "Could you... let me in?"