Bronze Embers

chapter 11

Chapter 11

Ines POV

The next day was thick with tension. I was certain that at any moment the door would be blown open and chaos would pour into the tower like raging waters. My thumb rubbed the rim of my little bell as I paced the balcony, my bare feet padding against the stone.

A part of me wished Ward would just lay his siege, get it over and done with. End this torturous waiting around. Yet another part of me rebelled at it, let me have this peace, just a bit longer. Savor this. I glanced into the tower where Quasimodo sat at his bench whittling a scrap piece of wood. I turned from him, and resumed pacing.

"Did you sleep at all?" his voice trailed out to me.

"No. Did you?" I asked.

"No." He admitted.

I stopped my pacing and glanced out at the city. The hustle and bustle hadn't ended, the world continued on despite my worries. The mental image of dark specks surrounding the cathedral had kept me awake all night. I imagined hands pulling the cathedral apart brick by brick until there was no place left to hide, the hands continuing to rip me apart until I was nothing more than wet pulp on the cobblestone. I shuddered at the imagery.

"You should rest." His voice wasn't firm. He knew rest wasn't happening.

"So should you." I met his gaze for a moment and then we both went back to our busy work.

"This will work." I mumbled. More to myself than to him. I knew he barely believed it, he'd rebelled the hardest against this plan. Every time I ran through it, visions of violence flashed in my mind, there were so many ways this could all go so very poorly.

I hissed and shoved my little bell back into its pocket. With a huff I sat on the ground, my back pressed against the balcony railing. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back to rest against the cool stone, its touch brought comfort.

I heard his footsteps but kept my eyes shut. He plopped down next to me and let out a very similar huff.

"You know I have your back."

"I do, and you know I have yours... Right?" I opened my eyes and glanced at him. His eyes were still shut, I secretly studied his profile. If all went well, then we had to say goodbye. The thought brought a wave of sadness. The breeze blew through the tower and ruffled his hair, my heart leapt into my throat.

He must have felt my eyes on him because he opened his and met my gaze. Normally I'd avert my eyes and focus elsewhere but not this time. This time I continued to look at him. I wasn't sure how much longer I'd get to. If he minded, he didn't say. He just gazed back, his cheeks growing progressively redder.

"I want to thank you again." I murmured.

"You don't need to do that." He answered.

"I do." I turned my attention to the tower, my eyes scanning the beams and bells. It had become my home in just a few short weeks. I was going to miss it as well. "Whatever happens next." I breathed. "I'm glad I got to know you." I turned back to him.

"I'm glad as well." Quasi murmured. "The day you burst through my door and into my tower...well it was a good one."

My heart swelled and for the first time all day I smiled. I extended my hand out and placed it over his, giving him a light squeeze.

There was so much more I wanted to say. So much more I wanted to do...

*BANG BANG BANG*

Our smiles dropped into looks of horror. Quasi leapt to his feet in an instant and I followed suit. Carefully, we bent over the balcony and gaze at the scene below. Ward was making his move, the men that had been guarding the cathedral were laying siege.