Lost Soul

Chapter Four: Enemy

The man turns to me, holding his sword low. He doesn't reach for me or make a move to me. "I led your friends here, but I'm faster. They'll be along soon."

I stare up at him. "What? What was all that about my life being promised to this Thomas guy? Aren't you going to kill me?"

He looks to his sword and blinks. "Do you want me to kill you?"

I also blink, confused. "Not... particularly."

He shrugs. "Cool." He turns away and starts walking.

"Cool?" I ask myself. I struggle to my feet. "That's it!? How do you know my name!? How do you know my mom!? Why do you have wings?"

The man laughs and turns back to me. "I can't be seen with you, Raven. So, please, let me go."

"Can't be seen with me? What the hell does that mean!?" I throw a rock at him when he turns away again.

He turns back and nearly appears in front of me. He wings ruffle as they settle at his side. "Listen closely, Raven Black. Thomas wants you dead. Most of the people with wings like mine work for him. They're going to turn you in. If they see me with you and I don't kill you, they'll know I'm a traitor. They'll tell Thomas I'm part of the rebellion."

Some relief floods through me. "You're part of the rebellion!? Me too!"

He waves me off. "Not your silly, human rebellion."

"I don't know what that means. Can't you just be straight with me? Give me one clear answer?"

He clears his throat. "Here's a clear answer... I'm not from here. There are people outside these walls, but they're human. The place I'm from is sort of... a different planet. It's a realm adjacent to this one. There's portals that allow my kind to travel through, if you can find the right one. Thomas is searching for people other than your mother. You are also someone he's searching for. But your mother was right about one thing... he will kill you. So, you need to go the opposite direction of me. As far as you can. If you see someone with wings, run. I can't tell you if all of them will be part of the rebellion or not. Don't try to talk to them. Kill them if you have to. Don't tell them your name."

"None of this makes any sense. Why are they looking for me?"

He hesitates, then nods in the direction my mom ran. "The easiest answer is her."

"Raven!"

His shoulders tense and he backs away.

I turn and find Will running towards me.

He shoves the man away from me. "What did you say to her!? What did you do!?"

The man puts his hands up and backs away. "I haven't done anything or said anything. Zoey had a dagger. I stepped in."

Will lifts his lip in a snarl. "Why? Why would one of you help Raven?"

The man takes Will in and narrows his eyes. "You know who she is." It's not a question.

Will glances at me, then shoves the man further away.

I'm about to follow as they start talking in low voices, but I'm tackled from behind.

I stumble, then steady myself. I lift my arm and spot a bunch of red hair. "Ava, are you okay?"

"Are you?"

"You're the one that got threatened by that guy."

She clears her throat. "Right. I'm good. So good. Super good."

"Good."

Rae's already glaring when she catches up. She waves at my blood on the ground. "Really?"