The Fall Of Imbria (The Fendara Series. Book One)

Chapter Twenty-Two: Victoria

Finding my way out of that castle was nothing compared to the sight of a boy being tortured beyond recognition, in the room I passed on my way out. The string threading his eye lids together was enough to make my skin crawl and my heart stop. The blood, bruising, and restraints just topped off the terror coursing through my veins.

Everything in the air yelled for me to stop and save him. The familiar bound spell book on the table in the corner of the room calling for me to bring it back to Fendara. It felt as though the entire room demanded my presence.

When Madelyn dragged me down the hall, a voice began shooting through my brain.

Augustine's voice.

I would have assumed I had lost my mind but every time I heard him, even before, it was as clear as day break, and even though it shattered my heart to hear my dead brothers voice, deep down it felt like returning home.

His words still echo from the ether. . 

"Sorrow is pain, pain is sorrow, every moment here feels like death. Save me, I beg of you, save me."

It had rattled me enough, that I almost shed a tear, I almost felt as though he was right there with me. But he is dead, and I can't bring him back.

Before I could think any farther, Madelyn pulled me from my trance.

Quickly we darted down the maze of hallways and out a door. We then followed a trail through the forest, leading to a cave opening. It was dark with only the light of the moon to shine the way.

Finally we made it, this is it, the entrance to the catacombs is so close, I can't believe this is the moment I get to go back home.

"Wait here." Madelyn tells me, stopping me at the tree line and wearily stepping out in the small dirt plain between the cavern and the forest. She walks to the center and stands for a moment until a man and two Therian looking soldiers approach from the darkness of the shadowed tomb. I can't quite make out their conversation, so I just lean against the bark of an old tree and wait.

A few minutes go by before she walks back over to me.

With a smile she says. "It's been quite an adventure, Miss Wilhelm, I wish you luck on your journey to Fendara."

I pull her in for a hug and she jumps for a second before embracing it. "Victoria, call me Victoria." I tell her

Leaning back, she looks at me for a long moment. Her dark hair shining in the light of night. "Good luck, Victoria." After that she disappears into the night, leaving me to step out alone onto the plain.

With each step my shoulders stiffen as two tall figures step out of the cave and grow closer to me. I would draw my weapon if I had one, but since I don't, I just pause in hesitation when I catch the familiar features of onyx hair and the crooked smile of Simon. The last man I expected to see tonight. I barely have time to take in his presence when he rushes over to me with worry lining his face.

"Are you okay?" He asks concerningly running his hands over my shoulders and cupping my face in the palm of his hand.

"Oh, um." If the concern he's showing me didn't surprise me so much and cause me to stutter, I would let the calmness of his scent flood me so I could drown in the mellowness of his affection.

"Who did this to you? Was it that commander?" He admonished me.

The multitude of thoughts running through his mind are apparent as he scrunches his brows in ambivalence. His eyes darting up and down my body, lingering on my lips before his emerald eyes turn sorrow and his feet move back reluctantly. When his arms grow slack to his sides, it causes my skin to miss his touch.