Endless - A Powerless Fanfic

Story 1, Chapter 2 - Paedyn

Once I've cleaned up my mess in the tiny bathroom and disposed of my silver hair at the bottom of the trash, I gather my things and head back down the hall and out into the tavern.

I still have my hood pulled over my head, but I'm far less paranoid about my silver hair coming loose and giving me away, because my hair is now black. And short compared to what it was. The lack of weight in my hair feels odd, but given how warm this place is, it's a welcome change.

I'm almost out of the tavern, when someone grabs my arm and pulls me aside into a corner away from the crowd. I'm instantly alert and ready to attack, but I see it's the older woman from the square. The same woman I bought the dye from. I relax a bit but my body is still rigid from the surprise.

"Sorry to frighten you." She whispers, and looks behind me for prying eyes, then back up at me. "My name is Jana. I just wanted to let you know we have a room ready for you."

I stare at her, unsure what's going on.

When I don't respond she says, "Come with me." And then she's walking away, making her way up the staircase to the rooms above the tavern.

She gestures to me to follow, and after I feel my dagger at my side for reassurance, I follow.

We turn down a hallway, then another until we're at the end of a very long hallway. This must be the back of the inn, near the attic.

The woman pulls a key from the pocket in her dress and unlocks the door. She glances my way before going in and I follow after, my senses on high alert.

She turns and hands me the key once we're in the room. It's not much, but it's spacious, with a comfortable looking bed, a private bathroom, and a large window and closet.

"I don't understand." I say, gaping at her. Is this a trick? "You're helping me. Why?"

She looks at me for a long moment. "I knew who you were the moment I laid eyes on you at the edge of town. We had just gotten word the king was murdered."

She doesn't ask me if I killed him. I try to stay calm, but my racing heart and sweaty palms are making that difficult. She knows who I am and what I've done.

"It's alright, Miss Grey. That terrible excuse for a king had it coming to him. There are many here who would do for you exactly what I'm doing right now, but there are some who wouldn't. The King has had his spies here for years, always looking out for escaped criminals so they can be dragged back and killed in the name of justice. And that is why when I found you collapsed from exhaustion and sun exposure at the edge of town, I decided to bring you here. I wasn't sure if you would have a clue what had happened to you, so I put you in the attic until we could get a room for you. And then I just waited for you to come out so I could explain."

I don't even know what to say.

"You've been tending to my wounds." I say softly. "I don't know what to say. I don't know how to—"

"Don't you be worrying yourself about any of it. Whatever it is you plan to do, I want to make sure you're strong enough to do it. Plague knows you're going to need your strength when the Enforcer comes looking for you. And he will, so don't get too comfortable thinking you've escaped the new king and his wrath."

My stomach drops. She's right. If Kai showed up today, I'd have no strength to fight. He'd be able to easily drag my sorry ass back to his brother, the new king, and I'd be executed immediately after. Most likely by Kitt himself after how I betrayed him. I don't stand a chance. The thought makes me want to vomit.

"Thank you." I say, not sure what else I can say. It's all so generous, and I don't really know what I did to deserve such kindness. She could have merely just spared me and I would have thought that kind. But a room to my own where I can hide out and gather my strength— I shake my head. I can't believe it. I was planning on a similar life to what I had before, in the fort, with Adena. I feel sick all over again.