The Witch's Tool (The Witch's Tool #1)

Cold World

ZELENIA

Tired.

That's exactly how I felt. We hadn't stopped since Jace got hurt and I had to perform a Blood-sacrifice to get him healed. But no one thinks we should stop, not until we get to The Order where I'll be safe. Well that's what they say, but deep down I don't actually believe it. There's just this feeling in my gut that I should turn around, and I would but its either The Order or those blood sucking ghouls.

A shiver runs down my hands as memories of when one nearly sucked me dry. I don't remember much, only that the whole time my entire body felt freezing cold and I desperately wanted it to stop because it hurt like hell.

"Just a little bit more before we reach The Order."

I nod in his direction and will myself to follow even though all I want to do is collapse to the ground. I hear a soft chuckle I know belongs to Jace and turn around; Lyris has her hands wrapped around his and they're smiling with each other. I quickly turn around when a ache burns deep in my chest. I bite my lip and sigh gravely at how sad this makes me feel.

"You have feelings for the boy?"

At hearing Hareem's question my chest aches even more, but I manage to nod a yes.

"But he's in love with the other girl?"

Ache deepens.

"She's engaged to him." I stop and shrug like I'm not bothered.

Hareem puts a hand on my shoulder but quickly removes it. "Forgive me if I sound insensitive, but shouldn't that be the least of your concerns?"

I look up at him and narrow my eyes.
He clears his throat and continues. "You're being hunted by the most powerful and cruel being and you're still weak because you haven't yet mastered any of your powers."

I frown and walk around him. It's bad enough that everything he's saying is true but he doesn't have to remind me of it.

He moves to me and clears his throat before continuing,
"I am just saying, maybe you should focus on what's really important here. Like your life for one. What good is love when you're dead?"

That causes me to pause and actually consider what he's saying. But no matter how much I think about what he's just said, I can't stop thinking about Jace.

"You don't understand. I've loved him since forever."

At admitting those words to a total stranger and more to myself, I continue my walk; the ache forever deepening in my chest.

***

ZELENIA

I have no clue how long it's been since we've been walking, but one thing I know for sure is that my thighs are burning and I'm exhausted and hungry.

Hungry
..

Then it hits me that I haven't ate anything since coming to this, hell. I don't know how it could have slipped me but it did. Maybe it's because all I can think about is my mom and Serena and whether their okay or not .

"You should stop worrying so much." Hareem is just metres away behind me.

"I'm not worried." I reply without giving him a backward glance.

"I can smell it in the air."

At that I stop and do look at him. "Smell? "

"Yes, I can tell when you are happy, sad, afraid just by your smell. And right now I can tell your afraid. Is it for your family?"