The Forgotten Light

58. Ritael

How do you know this?" Ace asked for her, seeing that she momentarily was unable to get a word out.

Invicta laughed loudly and hoarsely, giving them all the unpleasant creeps.

"How do I know this, you're asking? Do you people have the slightest idea who this girl is?" he ground out slowly and clearly, looking at each of them one by one.

"Yes, we do," Usain replied quickly, before either of them had time to speak.

"So you have to believe me. When I say she will face death, she will. The King will soon order do away with her. You have to help me get her out of there."

Ritael froze. Did he just say King?

There was a long moment of silence. Ritael was getting confused, and she didn't doubt that her friends were as well.

"Why didn't you get her out of there yourself today? Why did you come alone?" Colin inquired.

"And why would you need us? If you kidnapped her yourself, you could have managed to free her yourself," Harlyn pointed out.

"Don't you think that if I could, I would have done it already?" the Invicta growled.

"Why?" Colin didn't concede. "Why is it so difficult?"

"Because when she disappears, I have to be at the castle. The King cannot suspect anything, and while I'm with him at the time you get your precious friend to safety, no one will even think that I had a hand in her escape and thus can protect her."

"You don't want to get a spanking from the King," Ritael mocked. "Don't tell me you're afraid of death."

The Being scowled at her. "Some of us die only once."

Ritael turned sideways to him, clenching her hands into fists. She had the impression that all eyes were fixed on her. What now? She tried to think of a sensible and safe solution, but her mind was blank. What confidence could she have that the Invicta wasn't lying? None.

"It's definitely a trap," muttered Carter under his breath, pacing restlessly up and down, nervously tapping his cane against the stone floor.

Ritael closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, trying to focus. "Why should we believe anything you say? You might as well lie to save your ass, and then come here with a throng of Invicta and whack us all."

"Well..." he started, but was immediately interrupted by another voice:

"He's telling the truth."

Ritael opened her eyes wide. She didn't mishear, she saw that the entire audience was as amazed as her. Everyone was looking at the newcomer they thought they wouldn't see again. They started whispering among themselves, smiles appeared on their faces.

The Being cocked its head, looking over Ritael's shoulder. "Looks like someone was playing with fire," he noted cuttingly.

What?

She turned quickly toward the entrance of the cave, where Kaelen was standing. He was leaning with his shoulder against a huge rock, his arms folded over his chest. He was doing his best to look carefree and confident, but Ritael could see that something was wrong with him.

"How long have you been standing there?" she finally exclaimed. She had trouble defining what she felt. Yes, she felt immense relief that he had finally returned. But was that growing feeling inside her joy or rage?

"Long enough to realize that Ivy and Fairlight are the same person."

She blinked in wonder, then narrowed her eyes at him. She would deal with him later.