Shadow Thief

Chapter 10

Sitting. Waiting. Hoping for some news. Being stuck in the Lethicine Section waiting for information on Ayanna was probably one of the most painful things I had ever endured.

I stood up and started pacing within the oppressive green walls. Like a caged animal, I prowled around the confines of the room. I should have gotten involved sooner. I was a coward. She was close to death when I finally found Andre and the group of Balten.

My legs had collapsed under her weight.

Why wasn’t I stronger?

“Sit down, Ali.” Andre’s voice grated against my ears, its calmness almost mocking my turmoil.

“How can I?” I spat back.

“You can’t help her by working yourself up.”

“I can’t help her at all.” I growled, the frustration boiling over.

He was worse than me – he never even tried to find out what was going on. As always putting his own safety over Ayanna’s life.

“This is your fault.” I screamed, my voice cracking with the intensity of my accusation.

Hurt flashed across his face, but it did nothing to stop the tears streaming down mine.

“You should have done something.”

“Ali, this isn’t anyone's fault but the people who did this to her.”

His words struck me as hard as any hammer could because he was wrong.

“It was my fault.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Andre got up, wrapping his arms around my shaking body.

I shoved him away brutally.

“It was. It was my fault.” My voice was hoarse, every word scraping against my raw throat.

I tasted the snot and salty tears trailing into my mouth. My hair stuck to my face as my hands lay uselessly by my side.

“I watched, Andre.” I croaked, barely audible. “I didn’t do anything but watch.”

“Ali…” he trailed off, his voice losing its strength.

“See?” I whispered, broken and defeated. “I am a monster.”

“Ali. You. Are. Not. A. Monster.” He enunciated each word with a voice as strong as steel. “The only reason she might survive is because of you.”

“And if she doesn’t?” I sounded so fragile, so irreparably shattered.

“If she doesn’t, you gave her a chance.” He grabbed my hand in his warm one. “Not many people would have risked their life for basically a stranger.”

I couldn’t respond. Overcome with immense guilt, I slid to the ground, hugging my knees to my chest. This was all too much. I had not cried as much as I had in these past few days in the last six months.

But through it all, he never left my side. He was a steady comfort, now with his arm draped over my shoulders, holding me close. He had seen some of the worst of me and he kept coming back.

Andre had been there for me.

Hours passed with no word. The silence was agonising, each tick of the clock clutched at my heart.

Until the door slammed open, and in stormed an orcan as furious as the Greek Furies, his blue hair identical to Ayanna’s. Zicco’s eyes found mine, blazing with hatred, and he directed every bit of his rage at me. Standing up was a mistake; the next thing I knew, my back was kissing the cold wall. Pain reverberated through me at the impact.