Chapter 17

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Blood

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Blood

"Innes! Let go!" I cried out as I wrenched my arm out of his steel grip.

The captain didn't show any signs of slowing down. His face was turned towards the path ahead, ignoring my complaining.

I squeezed my jaw and reached for anything solid I passed by. I stretched my hand out to the right side of the narrow alleyway and managed to grab hold of a short banner stand. Mustering every ounce of strength in my arm, I swung it around and whacked the back of his head.

A grunt escaped his lips and he stopped in his tracks. "Myst, what the—" he groaned as he turned around and released my arm to rub the bruise.

"You don't get to play hero and not tell me what your intentions are," I panted, taking a few steps back.

Innes sighed as he lowered his arms to his sides. "I apologize. It hasn't been easy."

I watched him carefully and noticed that he wasn't dressed in the red and black festival attire. Instead he was in the same scratched armor and red cape he'd worn the day we met; the day I was taken from Orzon. A lantern shield was attached to his right gauntlet and instead of the single long sword he'd always carried, two thin blades were crossed at his back.

""What hasn't been easy? And why aren't you dressed in festival garb? Where have you been?" I asked. The questions just slid out one after another, with no end. "Innes, no more secrets."

The captain ran a hand through his hair and glanced around. "This is hardly the time." His eyes were careful to avoid meeting mine.

"Hardly? If I'm to trust you with my life, you have to tell me the truth." When he refused to respond, my anger began to climb uncontrollably until I could hold it no longer. "You're no better than Bacchus!" I spat.

Although I expected a retort of some kind, he remained silent. He pressed his tongue against the side of his cheek and frowned as his eyes met the floor. I could see that for all of his noble courtesy and military training, the rage flared in him like it did me.

"You're right," he whispered as he nodded. "You have no idea." He raised his eyes to meet mine.

Suddenly, from around the corner came a tall figure. It donned armor as black and terrible as the night. The many spikes that protruded from its helmet and chest plate gleamed in the soft lamp light that hovered just above where he stood. Engraved in its chest was the Aegil emblem.

"Myst," Innes growled as he turned to face the giant. "Get out of here."

I glared at the back of his head, wishing that he could somehow feel my spite. "You don't get to tell me what to do either."

There was something different about the way that soldier moved, never mind the fact that I'd never seen someone like him in the time I'd spent with the army. He stomped towards Innes without speaking a word. The large sword in his hand was wider than my entire body and at its hilt was a faint yellow glow.

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