Knowledge is Deadly: Book 1: The Azuran Series

Chapter 22

In total they had spent a little over a week in the cave. They had made a plan to leave and head to Blake's house where his mom was living. However, neither Aspen or Kilin could walk without pain.
Now Kile, Kilin and Aspen were sleeping in the back part of the cave and Blake and Katelyn sat in the front, not yet asleep.
"How long do you think until we can leave?" Blake asked sitting beside her on the cave wall.
"I'm not sure. Aspen is healing but he probably can't walk very well. As for Kilin, the poison is slowing down the healing process." Katelyn said looking at him.
"Oh."
'I hope they get better quickly. Something feels off. Very off recently. Don't freak out about it.' Blake thought to himself.
"What feels off?" Katelyn asked.
"Something.. I can put my finger on it." He said looking over at her.
Katelyn bit her lip. She had felt that way too recently. "Maybe it's just being stuck in this cave for too long." She suggested.
"I hope so. But you get some sleep." Blake said gently.
"You should too."
"I want to keep watch. Just in case."
Katelyn studied his face. He looked tired. "It's my turn tonight." She said.
"But-"
"You need sleep. I've got it." Katelyn assured.
"You need sleep more." He said.
"No you do. You love sleep more than anyone I know. Now go get some." Katelyn said.
"Fine, but I'm sleeping on you." He said laying his head on her shoulder.
"Fine." Katelyn stared at the wall, her nerves on edge. She was glad she had agreed to keep watch because she wouldn't be able to sleep anyway.
After around an hour had passed she gently placed Blake's head against the wall and stood up, walking out of the cave to make sure nothing was there.
     She looked down the shore and saw multiple people walking down the beach. They were coming towards her and the wind drowned out the orders the leader was barking.
Katelyn felt adrenaline rush in her veins. She ran back into the cave and knelt next to Blake.
"Blake. Blake!" She hissed.
He blinked his eyes open slowly. "What?" He grumbled.
"People are outside." She said, on the edge of panic.
Blake sat up. "Who?" He said stumbling as he stood up.
"I- I don't know." She said. "But they are coming towards us."
"I'll go tell the others." Blake said walking to the back room.
Katelyn wanted to tell him not to leave but he had already disappeared into the darkness. She pressed herself against the wall and waited, listening.
Blake returned a moment later and pulled out his sword. He started towards the entrance of the cave.
"Don't go out." Katelyn whispered.
"I have to see who it it." He whispered back.
Katelyn nodded.
Blake walked out of the cave slowly. Katelyn stood just behind him.
     The men where much closer. Katelyn could see the leader. It was Jackson, he was here. He stopped and looked at Blake.
"You.." Blake growled.
Katelyn clenched her fists.
"Hi Blake." Jackson said and looked at Katelyn for a moment before back to Blake.
"Get him." Jackson said to the men behind him.
     They reacted quickly and swung their swords at Blake, who barely blocked them.
     Katelyn took a step back an put her hand on her belt where she kept the knife, Blake had given her. She backed away and started to run towards the cave.
Jackson grabbed her arm pulling her back. She felt weaker and gave in to his strength. "Let me go." She croaked.
"Katelyn.. Let me-" he started.
"What? Let you capture me? Take my locket? Break my heart?" She said, hurt in her voice.
He looked down into her eyes. "Katelyn please I don't want to-" he started.
"Just don't." She said, tearing up.
"Please, just give me time to explain. I can't now, but I will." Jackson said.
"You can't right now because you have to come up with a good lie to cover it up. Is that it?" Katelyn snapped.
"Katelyn. No. I won't lie to you." He said, his eyes pleading.
"You already did, Jackson." She said sadly.
"When? When did I flat out lie to you, Katelyn?" He asked.
"Maybe when you pretended to care for me to gain my trust. Or when you just forgot to mention that your dad is the one trying to find my locket and that you work for him." Katelyn said angrily.
"Katelyn... I don't want to please, just let me explain later." Jackson said.
"Katelyn! Warn the others!" Blake yelled killing one of the men who where clearly overpowering him.
Katelyn shoved Jackson away from her but she was too weak to run. Still she tried to get to the cave. Before she could get there however, she ran into Kile, who helped her stand.
"Kile! It's Jackson and his men!" She said, panicked.
"I see that." Kile said looking down at her.
'Please forgive me for this, Katelyn.' Kile thought and turned her around pulling her arms behind her.
"What?" Katelyn tried to free herself. "Kile, what are you doing?"
"Be quiet." Kile said harshly and shoved Katelyn towards Jackson.
A guard grabbed Katelyn and held her arms behind her back.
Katelyn glared at Kile. "You're with him?"
Kile smirked at her and then looked at Blake who had been captured as well.
Jackson walked over to Kile. "Are you?" he asked.
"Of course." Kile said.
    Katelyn's jaw dropped. "This whole time? You would betray Kilin like-" she was cut off by the guard giving her a rough shove in her back.
     "Quiet!" He growled.
     "What About the other two then?" Jackson asked standing in front of Kile now.
     "Both are dead." Kile confirmed.
     Katelyn froze and her blood turned to ice. How could they be dead? The only person in the cave with them was Kile... "You killed them?!" She asked, devastated.
      Kile ignored her as well as Jackson.
      Jackson studied Kile for a moment before he said. "Oh good. Then we can go now."
     Kile nodded.
     Katelyn looked at Blake sadly, not moving. 
     Blake looked back at her, his only thoughts where wondering if and how, Aspen was actually dead.
     Jackson started down the beach and Kile walked past Katelyn following him. 
     "How could you do this?" She hissed.
     Kile stopped and looked at her. "It was easy. Just make you trust me and wait till Jackson showed up." He said with a smirk.
     Katelyn would have slapped him if not for the guard holding her hands behind her back. She looked in front of her, her jaw tight.
     "You loved Kilin. How could you betray her and kill her?" Katelyn asked, her voice trembling.
      His scowl faltered slightly but he covered it up quickly. "I didn't kill her. She died when that dagger hit her during the battle." He clarified.
     "Oh good. So you only killed one person." Katelyn said sarcastically.
     He smirked. "I've killed more."
     "How could you!" Blake snapped. His tone was harsh and filled with anger and sorrow.
     Kile clenched his teeth and only glanced at Blake.
     "Why don't you go walk by your brother? Won't your dad be happy when he finds out you're back?" Katelyn snapped.
     He grabbed her chin. "Of course he will, Puppy." He sneered and let her go, walking away.