RAVENNA

Part 34

Nieve pov.

We waited. My heart hammered against my ribs as I kept my eyes fixed on the figures ahead. I didn't know who they were or what they wanted, but one thing was clear—they wouldn't leave until they had taken what they came for.

Marcus chose the river road. My stomach dropped. I wasn't a strong swimmer, not with the current raging this fast, and my mind was a blank canvas of fear. Adrenaline raced through me, making my hands tremble. Maybe I should have listened to Esme and cancelled class. my heart started beating fast— same as it did past few times, the same ache crept in my chest, familiar. I wasn't able to breath again. Please not this time. Not now.

As I was bracing myself, a loud impact on the cart threw it aside. Marcus and I both flew into the air. I saw him trying to reach for me but he was too far. He struck a lamp post mid-fall, his body jolting before hitting the river, while I plunged straight into the bottom of the water. A splash followed, then another.

At first I couldn't register anything—the cold water struck my skin like knives. I thrashed my arms, trying to swim, but the jacket weighed me down. Underwater, I tore it off and kicked toward the surface.

Air. I gasped, coughing, my eyes darting wildly. Long trees lined on bank, and on the other side, rooftops and chimneys rose into view. The village.

"Marcus!" My voice cracked as I screamed, again and again, throat raw with terror. No answer. Only the roar of the current. My lips wobbled, fear creeping into my heart. No. He cannot be. Please. Tears flowed, unstoppable. Today I felt the same hollow ache I had felt ages ago—the loss of my parents.

The grief hollowed me, and for a moment I thought I would sink all over again. But instinct forced me on. I had to survive. I had to find help.

Dragging myself to the shallows, shivering and weak, I stumbled out of the freezing water. My legs barely carried me as I crossed into the village, every step a battle. Finally, I spotted a small shop—a bookstore—and staggered inside.

The bell above the door chimed softly. The woman behind the counter looked up, her eyes widening with alarm at the sight of me: soaked, pale, shaking uncontrollably.

"Oh, dear..." she whispered.

"Ph... phone," I stammered, teeth chattering so hard I could barely speak. "I need to c-call. Please."

"You're frozen through." Her voice was firm but kind. She rushed out from behind the counter, wrapping a towel around me before draping a heavy blanket across my shoulders. "Sit. Sit here."

She raised her voice toward the back room. "Tea! Quickly!" I sank into the chair she guided me to, the warmth of her kindness just barely keeping the despair at bay

They all stood there in silence, unable to fully register what their eyes had just witnessed. The river had swallowed everything—Marcus, Nieve, the cart—and left only rushing white water in its wake.

Then Nikolai froze. A hiss cut through the air behind them. He spun around—ten figures in red and black capes were advancing.

A searing ball of fire came hurtling toward him. He wasn't ready. Instinctively he threw his hand up, but before his counter could form, a sudden gust of air tore the fire apart and sent it scattering into sparks. The duskborn who had thrown it was knocked off balance, sent crashing backward.

Nikolai's gaze darted left—and his breath eased. Royal Guards. Of course. They wouldn't leave him unprotected. Relief steadied him as the armored line stepped forward, forming a living shield before them, weapons and spells ready to charge against the duskborn.