The Serpent's Chains

Chapter 51: Don't Get Sucked In

Cole

She's fine. Sabine is capable of handling the forces she's up against, Talon assured me as I waited in front of the command tent.

I know she's capable! I shoved my hands in my pockets and kicked at the ground. She's never taken a life before. That's... not easy.

She can handle it.

Would you stop saying that!? No one should have to handle that. I pointed in the direction of the mountains.

You're worried about her.

I sighed and ran a hand down my face. It was impossible to deny that with Talon. Yes. I am. Does that satisfy you?

Yes.

I groaned and shook my head.

Talon could know my thoughts and feelings but on this matter, he didn't understand. He couldn't, because he was a dragon.

The shadows trembled and Sabine appeared in the circles of lamplight outside the command tent. The whites of her eyes were bright against a sheen of crimson splatter on her face. It extended down her arms, glistening in the lamplight.

"Here." She tossed something at me.

I caught it and took a look at the animal skin map. Several of the camps had x's through them.

"You accomplished all this?" I looked up at her, my chest swelling. That was impressive.

She nodded sharply, turned on her heel, and disappeared into the shadows again. She moved so silently, she barely disturbed the air.

The impressed feeling faded rapidly. When I'd killed the women and children of that royal family when I was ten, I thought the only way to survive was to shut off my feelings towards it. The numbness didn't help. It only delayed the inevitable.

To finally earn her freedom and then be sent to kill other mages... her own brethren.

"Wait." I went after her.

Sabine kept walking through the camp, eyes forward like she didn't notice me. She didn't seem to have any direction, either. I stepped in front of her and grabbed her shoulders.

"What happened?" I studied her face behind the blood.

Her eyes were vacant and distant, glassy on the surface. Her hair was pulled from the pins in a few places, sticking to the blood on her face and neck. Her normally brown skin was the palest I'd ever seen it behind her crimson mask.

"I carried out my orders." Her voice was flat, apathetic.

"We should talk."

She blinked at me a few times. "About what?"

I guided her to her tent. A young cadet was standing post nearby. "Grab me a bowl of clean water and a few towels."

"Yes, Your Highness." He bowed and scampered off.

I guided Sabine into her tent to her cot. Hands on her shoulders, I pushed her to sit. She didn't struggle or resist.

The cadet was back moments later and I collected the items from him. He returned to his post, right across from Sabine's tent. I closed the flap.

I set the bowl of water on the ground at Sabine's feet and took a knee in front of her. The water was cool when I dipped a towel into it until it was fully saturated. I wrung the towel out and took her wrist in my hand. The wet towel easily glided over her skin and lifted the blood splatters from her arm.