Blood Ties

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

        Layla’s eyes fluttered open, a soft moan escaping her lips as she tried to clear her mind. Her head pounded and her throat felt as though it were made of sandpaper. Her stomach growled loudly, startling her into alertness. She forced herself to sit up and take in her surroundings.

        She was sitting upon a small blanket in the corner of a tiny shed. There was a tiny, broken window behind her, from which moonlight streamed in. In front of her was a dust-covered stool, a few more blankets, and a broken stove. The ceiling was extremely low and clearly water damaged, and the entire building was less than a few steps in either direction. Immediately to her right was the door. 

        Layla rubbed her eyes, surprised at how weak she felt, and struggled to her feet. The most recent thing she remembered was using her last bit of magic to kill that sorceress outside the village. She had no clue how she had managed to find her way here, but she was grateful.

        Loud whistling made her jump, and she sank into a ready position, knowing that she was at the mercy of whoever approached. The door opened to reveal Jake, his arms full of food, and a large smile on his cherubic face.

        “Jake,” Layla attempted to say, her voice rasping painfully in her throat. She swallowed hard, grimacing.

        Jake gently laid the food down upon the other blankets before hurrying over to Layla, guiding her gently to the stool. When she was situated, he helped her sip at some of the water he brought with him.

        “Are we in the village?” She asked after a few gulps.

        He nodded, grinning.

        “And you…brought me here?”

        Another nod.

        Layla shot him an appreciative look, rewarding him with a pat on the head. “Thank you,” she whispered.

        Jake’s eyes replied, You’re more than welcome.

                                                                          *

         Star’s hands trembled violently as she attempted to keep a hold of her steaming teacup. Vainly, she tried to bring it to her lips, only to spill the majority of it down the front of her still damp top. With a shaky sigh, she set the cup down, and brought her knees to her chest.

        Marco sat beside her, his tea untouched and his expression completely blank. Every once in a while, he would glance over at her, as though to make sure she hadn’t moved.

        “What are we going to do?” she whispered, burying her face in her arms.

        “Continue with your –our training, as planned. Kaya-" His voice faltered as he spoke her name, “-left us one of the old handbooks that sorcerers learned from. We’ll just have to use that.”

        “That’s what was in the bag?” Star asked, her voice low. When Marco nodded, she lowered her eyes, her mouth turned down.

        After a few moments, Raine entered from the back room and walked towards them, a cup of tea in her hand. Her face was pink and splotchy and her eyes were red. She murmured, “Kiya would like to speak with you two now.”

        Star nodded, slowly standing to her feet and plodding towards the door to Kiya’s study. Marco followed, his hand slipping into hers reassuringly.