Ruin.

Trails.

Chapter 37: Trails:

“I’m sorry, Aeriana. We haven’t found him yet.” Stave’s face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot and ringed by dark circles.

“Stave, you and your guards need to take a break. Can you have the men ready for me to speak to them in about an hour?”

“Of course. Anything you need.”

Aeri turned around, heading back to the house, and almost ran into Karlok. He had a giant green blanket wrapped tightly around him and still looked as cold as ice. “What are you doing out here?”

He waved her off. “What are you planning, Aeri?” His voice was weak and quiet, but she could still hear the worry in his tone.

“Let’s get back inside,” she suggested, pushing gently on his shoulders.

He shook her off again, with a little more strength. “Tell me.”

She pushed again. “Once we’re inside.”

She could tell he didn’t want to wait, but he let her guide him back inside. Sitting him down next to the fireplace, she wrapped another thick blanket around him. “Let me build up the fire,” she stalled, grabbing up a few logs and stacking them carefully on the already crackling fire.

“Sit down, Aeri.” His voice was commanding, reminiscent of her childhood.

“Fine,” she huffed, perching on the arm of the nearest chair. “Happy?”

“Now tell me,” he ordered. His skin was slowly regaining color, warming up after being in the harsh wind.

“Okay. I’ve decided that I’m going to-” She was cut off when Stave burst through the door.

“We’ve found a lead.”

Aeri shot off of her seat, nearly running over to him in her excitement. “What lead?”

“We found out that he’s been to see a witch living on the outskirts of Rivergrove.” He was beaming; she could tell he was hopeful that the lead would pan out.

A plan burst into being in her head. “Have you been to see her?” She held her breath. The new plan she’d created could fall apart with the wrong answer.

“Not yet. Why?”

“Don’t!” She shouted, making both the guard and her grandfather jump out of their skins. Stave looked confused, but agreed.

Relieved, she walked past him and out the door. Sterling had been to see a witch? Why? What had the witch told him about getting into the demonic realm? She’d have to question the stupid woman herself to find out.

Aeri, although know one else really knew, had decided to go after her idiotic brother. She was the best tracker in the AAA, the best that the organization had ever trained. If anyone could hunt Sterling down, it was her.

Remembering that she’d been right in the middle of divulging her plan to Karlok, she reluctantly began to trudge back to the house.

He must have heard her stomping up the steps, because he shouted out at her before she even reached the door.

“I’m coming, Pops!” she called back, suddenly nervous.

Her hands tingled as she pushed the door open, stepping into the house and avoiding his eyes at all costs.

“Aeriana Lilith Khatani, you get your sneaky butt over here,” he called, glaring holes into the back of her head. “Now!”

She slumped back onto the couch, tangling her fingers together until her hands resembled a giant knot. “I’m going after Sterling.”

Karlok’s jaw dropped, his eyes popped, and he gaped at her. “You are WHAT?”

“Let me tell everyone at once,” she suggested, standing up. Sticking her head out through the door, she yelled for Stave.

“Are the guards all ready? Can I talk to them?”

He appeared out of nowhere, leaning up against the porch railing. “They are ready. They’re waiting out in the barracks.”

“Have them all come in here.”

“Into the house?” He shot her a look that clearly suggested he thought she was crazy.

“Do it, Stave.”

He turned without another word and jogged over to the barracks. The dozen guards and himself trailed into the house, until all of them and Karlok were awkwardly wedged into the living room, waiting for her announcement.

She stood and cleared her throat, waiting for a long moment before speaking. “I have decided to go after Sterling.” She fell silent, waiting for their responses.

“You can’t!”

“It’s dangerous!”

“The demons will kill you. They know what you look like, Protector.”

“Everyone be quiet!” Karlok’s voice boomed through the room. “Let her speak.”

Aeri sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know that it will be dangerous. I know the odds are against me. The truth is, I don’t care. My brother is putting himself in danger because of me. I have to do something. I have to try.”

“Protector, let one of-” Stave cut his argument off at the look clouding her face.

“I will not let anyone else put themselves in danger. This is what I was born for, what I’ve sworn to do.”

She glanced around the room. Stave looked angry, concerned. His guards were worried and doubtful. Karlok, however, was strangely calm.

“Pops,” she joked, trying to lighten the mood, “what’s your opinion?”

He rearranged the blanket on his shoulder, avoiding her gaze. “This day has been coming for a long while. I can’t deny you your destiny, as much as I might want to.”

The way he worded his response lit up alarms in her head, but she shoved them away to deal with later.

“Then it’s settled,” she concluded wearily. “Stave, I’ll need your help to plan. Karlok, tell him all you know of the demonic realm.”

At her words, everyone jumped back into motion.

“What will you be doing, Aeri?” a thin, wiry guard asked.

“Well, Frag, since you ask, I’m going to pay a visit to a certain witch.” She turned and started to walk away, limping as the cold seeped into her bad leg. A hand on her shoulder stopped her in her tracks.

“I’ll escort you.” His eyes, the same blue as Charlie’s, stared into hers. “I owe it to my brother to protect you.”

She couldn’t argue, so she turned and led the way in silence.