Once Upon a Midnight: Wanted

Chapter Twenty

Aeryn found herself being shaken awake very early the next morning. She blinked her eyes open, noticing it was still very dark outside, and also that there was a lot of screaming happening.

"Aeryn! You have to get up!"

Artemis was the one shaking her awake. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes, sitting up. It took her a moment to recognize the urgency in his voice.

She woke up fully, swinging her legs over the bed and standing. "Artemis? What's going on?"

"We're being attacked. You have to get out of here. I believe they are looking for you."

"What?" Aeryn had been pulling her boots on but she looked up at him as he said that, her eyes widened. "How did they find me?"

"Never mind that!" Artemis shoved her bag in her hands once she stood, pulling her towards the door. His grip on her upper arm was tight as he looked out of the door. "You have to go. They won't stop until they find you, and I can't let that happen."

"What about you?"

"Don't worry about me. You have to stay safe."

Aeryn began following him out the door and then stopped suddenly. "What about Raleigh?"

When Artemis didn't respond Aeryn stopped walking altogether, already fearing the worst. "Artemis?"

More silence.

"Artemis!"

"I'm sorry Aeryn."

"No."

"Aeryn--"

"No!" She shook her head, taking one step back from Artemis, and then another when he started toward her. "No she cant--I only just found her. She can't!"

"I'm sorry Aeryn but we must go." Artemis grabbed her hand, yanking her out of the room. She followed behind him silently, her heart breaking with every step. If the entirety of her journey had been like a dream, this had to be a nightmare.

Raleigh couldn't be gone. Not like this. Not now.

Using her free hand, Aeryn rubbed at the tears in her eyes, trying to focus on the situation at hand.

"Do you know who's attacking us?" She asked when she was sure her voice wouldn't betray her feelings.

"No." Artemis' voice was calm, but Aeryn knew he had grown close to Raleigh over the short time she'd been here. It was he who had found her, so forming an attachment to the Fox-Shifter was only natural. It was selfish of her for thinking she was the only one hurt.

"It happened so suddenly...only a few have made it out." He continued, slowing in his walking when he heard voices. Artemis held out a hand to stop Aeryn, narrowing his eyes before pulling her behind a tree.

A few moments later two Rahktar walked past holding a young boy by both arms. He looked very out of it.

"Why are they having us collect these defects if they are only looking for the Halfling?" One asked, a snarl on his lips. "This one does not even talk. What use would he be?"

The other offered a shrug, glancing down at the boy in question. When the boy said nothing the Rahktar clicked his tongue. "Useless is what he is but we know better than to question the Council."

The first man laughed, a loud bellowing sound that made Aeryn flinch. "I suppose you are right."

She noticed Artemis stiffen beside her and looked up at him, surprised at the anger she saw on his face. "That's Séamus. He is a Faery, like me, wingless. He lived in Jyn for a few years. When I worked within the city I would see him often, never in a pleasant socially setting. Though he is wingless he possesses incredible abilities, ones that could not be ignored by his parent. Instead of being killed, their parents gave him to the Council to do experiments on. Séamus endured years of torture and abuse before I managed to get him out of there and bring him here. I can only imagine what will happen to him if they take him back."

He didn't wait for Aeryn to respond, instead taking her wrist in his hand and pulling her behind him once the Rahktar were out of sight.

"Come, I think I can get you out of here going this--"

"Hey!"

Artemis cursed, letting go of Aeryn's wrist and pushing her forward. "Go, Aeryn! I will try to keep them back, get out of here!"

Once again he didn't bother waiting for a response from Aeryn, turning and walking towards the man who'd spotted them.

Aeryn did as she was told, taking off at a run in the direction Artemis had pointed her in. She hated that someone else was sacrificing themselves for her sake. It only served to make her feel more guilty about what was happening.

She took a deep breath, forcing those thoughts away. It was something she had to do a lot of lately, especially thinking about Claudia and Kristianna. If she let herself dwell on the guilt she would never be able to move forward.