Broken Thread

Chapter 6: On Thin Ice

It's been busier in the halls ever since the meeting. There's been more guards than I can count pacing back and forth in front of my cell. They don't stay for long, they barely even hesitate for more than a few seconds before they leave, but it's still nerve wracking. I think it's been two days since I was last let out and I haven't seen Eltuh since. I can't say I'm not worried. If she's been found out already, I'll never forgive myself.

The only one in and out of here is Zenith who brings me food, waits till I'm done, and leaves. Before, she would just leave the plate here and come back for it. I guess the thought of me having anything other than these chains and the silence is putting everyone on edge. I should feel happy that the guards and Demien are taking my potential rescue seriously, but I don't. If anything, the feeling of dread keeps creeping in when I least expect it to. Like my body knows something my brain doesn't. Something bad.

I stare down at my pointer finger, the golden thread with Scorpius's name shining through the dark. Running my thumb over it I wonder if he's safe, if the others are okay.

"Come back to me." I whisper bringing my finger up to my lips. The door springs open, startling me. Zenith and four other guards move into the room. Thankfully, I see one of them is Eltuh. I make sure to keep my eyes off her and only on Zenith. Eltuh unlocks my cuffs and helps me stand. Zenith nudges her to the side and grips my arm, pushing me out into the hall with all the others following behind. She doesn't let go even when we start walking.

I peak over at her and it's obvious she's tense. I've never seen her muscles look so rigid. Even her eyes which are staring ahead are burning intensely. I wish I could see the expression on Eltuh's face. Maybe that would give me some sort of clarity as to what's been going on and why she hasn't been able to see me.

The door to the usual room Demien and I meet at is open. I twist my body in anticipation to enter it but Zenith's hold on me hardens. We walk right by it and when I peer in I see the table is bare, the candles unlit. I turn my attention to Zenith for an answer as to where we're going. She doesn't bother to glance in my direction. Where was she taking me? A panic buries itself in my throat, the urge to scream or cry simmering there.

I'm guided to a wide staircase at the end of the hall, the stairs leading to another staircase, and another after that. The stairs seem never-ending. When we make it halfway I feel like I might faint from all the climbing. When was the last time I did anything even remotely close to exercise? Oh, thats right. When I was battling for Seren and Scorpius's freedom. More than two weeks have passed and the lack of movement and food has me feeling exhausted.

Zenith couldn't care less. Her snake like hold on me never loosens no matter how much I fall behind. It's like she's forcing me up the stairs like dead weight. Finally, like my prayers have been answered, I see a gaping door at the top. The open doors almost touch the ceiling. What's with Demien and his large architectural structures? A normal sized door works just as well as an overly large one.

We make our way inside, another long hallway waiting for us, and I don't know if I'm going to make it. I'm already huffing and gasping for air, my legs muscles flaring. Goddess I wish I could just sit down for a second. The two random guards behind us run forward to open the door at the end which I hope is our destination and not another flight of stairs. Eltuh marches herself to my side, her focus forward. I peer out of the corner of my eye and notice how worried her face is. Oh no.

I'm escorted by both her and Zenith to the open entry where the two guards who ran ahead of us stand on either side, their spears upright. I guess they'll stay out here to make sure no one comes in, but what did that mean for me? What was on the other side? A transparent glass slides up and exposes us to the open room where Demien is. We stride inside, the glass coming back down behind us to block us off from the outside.