The swings and slashes had been brutal. Twenty, thirty, forty, she didn't know how many soldiers had been butchered, and how many were still fighting as she sliced through another. But the never-ending force kept aiming for them.
Screams and shouts, swords clashing echoed around them. Aelin turned to another soldier kicking him as he thudded onto the ground, then driving her sword through him. Though every swing got the better of her, exhaustion threatened to hall her, arm aching in protest.
She couldn't keep this up for much longer.
Besides her, her companions fought fiercely, their movements deadly as swords and daggers sliced and thrashed.
Zavia let out a snarl as she plunged her sword deeper into the soldier's chest, another at her feet as she threw a small dagger towards him. Cassian and Lucien fought side to side, smeared with blood, thankfully neither injured. Atlas it seemed had been managing quite well as well as she blew a kiss to a soldier and then severed his head.
This was new to her.
Unlike her, faeries that were used to war, Aelin had never done something like this.
She wasn't scared, not at all but the exhaustion and utter boredom in this. Killing a beggar would have been more. . . creative. When they had started pouring over them, she'd been rather excited, killing the most powerful king's soldiers was rather intriguing, until it became a rather dull fuze of swinging and slicing.
Her eyes slid to Cassian who was fighting two soldiers at the same time. Their all-black uniforms glinted in the sun's light, the tunnel hardly illuminated by the sun's peeking light, as they soared over them. Covered with blood herself, Aelin let out a pleading cry as she punched a soldier's arms now sore and agonized by the continuous swings.
Her gaze slid to Lucien who was lost in his own thoughts even as he swished his dagger into another soldier's throat. They were all tired, but even though Aelin was not, they each worried written across their faces. They were scared and worried for the rest of the group that had taken the other route.
Were they also ambushed? Had they fought their way to the end? Were they alive or had they been captured?
The questions gleamed in each of their eyes and Aelin realized it.
She only looked at Lucien gravely enough that he followed her stare gazing at her with furrowed eyebrows. He pressed his lips into a straight line, muscles flexing as blood trailed down his forehead. Not his own.
And then realization struck him too. His color paled, eyes glinting with dread as he paused.
"RUN!" he screamed, his deep voice rumbled around them, everyone shifting, passing glances of confusion.
But they didn't have to be told twice, as they bolted for the entrance. Most soldiers had been cleared out but the remaining ones steered after them. Baked in blood they ran and ran until the light became clearer, darkness fading as it dissolved into the light.
That was when the stinging rushed along her arm, climbing all the way to her elbow. She didn't wait to examine whatever was happening as she soared towards the light, others falling in line behind her.
Then the wetness caressed her arm, stickiness spreading as her arm hissed in pain. She still didn't dare look at it as she lunged out, a small jump to hurl her further as others halted behind her.
No one dared say a word as they hid behind one of the trees deeper in the forest surrounding the tunnel entrance. They had to travel all the way to the east of the city, towards the outskirts to meet the entrance, as the soldiers scanned the outer areas. Breaths ragged, covered in blood and sweat they waited. Waited for at least an hour it seemed before daring to move, even though the soldiers had already retrieved.
Aelin's hair, soaked in blood shifted as she finally let out a deep breath and turned around. All of them stared at her. In disbelief or triumph or confusion, she was too exhausted to care.
Chest moving furiously as she gulped air, her eyes scanned all of them, then slowly to the pain, one that now roared to her, again greeting her, she turned her head to look at it. Blood covered as she gawked at a wound, starting from her shoulder to her elbow, deep and gushing welcomed her.
The pain hurtled as the deep cut screamed in agony her eyes still on her torn jacket, blood gushing as she slowly, so slowly turned towards them.
Before she could say a word, Cassian stepped forward, disbelief clouding his features.
"Did I- Did I really just almost die?" he soared, voice raw from the screaming from earlier.
Zavia snorted in response, her moonlight hair streaked with blood.
"No, that arrow almost shot into my eye, and then the soldiers. . . I uh- I DIED," Cassian roared, sarcasm lingering in his voice.
Aelin's eyebrows knitted together, a grin threatening to form as she looked him over.
"You're still alive?" she questioned. Her own voice was raw.
The rest of them chuckled, caked in blood as they started heading back to the apartment. Slowly they walked and walked as exhaustion strode over them.
"You know if it wasn't for you Aelin, we would have died considering Cassian was hardly of any use. His swings were too slow," Atlas snickered gazing at the approaching street. The sun had almost set, purples and blues streaking the sky.
"Hey," Cassian roared groaning in pain, "I didn't know we were going on a killing spree today. I would have stretched. As for you Atlas, I'll show you what these hands can do when we're alone." He smirked at her, earning a roll of eyes in return.
The walk back was rather long, though a whimpering Cassian kept them occupied with his snides and taunts. Still, a wariness lingered between them, shock from what they had just witnessed. The wound in Aelin's arm snickered with agony, stinging rising with each step.
"Enough both of you. You both," Zavia started, voice deep and rough, "Why'd you ask us to run. We could have sliced all of those rats."
Cassian snickered in response.
Aelin looked at Lucien who was staring at the ground intently. She could sense his worry and tension. For his princess. She knew he loved her and Ailani had explained to her that they both suspected they were mates.
Mates. A very Fae thing. Ailani told her it was more than love. A bond that went deeper than any other. It was more than bounding and feelings, it was being equals, a vow that went to a different depth. Aelin only said it was bullshit and had been avoiding the topic but it would eventually cross her mind.
"Because both of us think the king might have sent those soldiers to distract us or capture us," she replied, voice calm as she stilled her eyes on Lucien.
"That can not be true, the king couldn't do that unless. . ." Cassion snorted, eyebrows knitted together as he frowned.
"Unless he knows that someone is here. Someone who plans on stopping him," Aelin finished off for him, averting her stare from Lucien. Her muscles tensed limbs aching as they turned to the apartment. Climbing the stairs was a harder task as their sore muscles roared in pain.
The door opened with a click, as Aelin's nostrils were met by a rosy scent. All of them let out deep breaths, exhaling loudly while the other half of the group stood there.
Each frozen they first scanned Lucien, Aelin, Cassian, Zavia, and Atlas. Panic and dread and timidness clouded their features as they rushed forward.
"What happened to you guys?" Atarah roared, her voice trembling. "Are you guys okay?" Esma sneered. All of them looked paler. But none of them were covered with coats of blood like Aelin and the other half.
She only rolled her eyes striding for the sofa. Pathetic. The first rule that Rick had taught her seemed rather correct at a time like this.
People make you vulnerable, they can get you killed.
"We're fine, just a little ambush," Lucien started cupping Atarah's face as he studied her. His deep voice echoed in the apartment as he gazed at her. "Why don't we discuss this after a shower and some food?" Atarah nodded in response, color drenched from her skin. Aelin plopped onto the sofa, the blood smearing around her.
"Do you plan on ruining this place?" Fennis questioned frowning. He looked her all over, tsking in disapproval. Before his gaze could move to her arm, Aelin slid it under her drenched cloak, hoping the smell of so much blood would guard hers.
"Oh this is just the starting," she snickered, a smirk curling onto her lips, "I'll burn this place to ashes real soon." Fennis aggressively furrowed his eyebrows, arms crossed as his stiff figure scanned her.
"Go take a bath before I kick you out of my residence. I'll get you fresh clothes." He walked away before she could reply, shaking his head.
Her gaze shifted to Lucien who was hugging Atarah tightly, her tiny figure hidden behind his muscular arms. As if realizing she gazed at her, he met her stare. Frowning she stuck out her tongue at him, amusingly displaying her disgust. He returned it with a rather obscene gesture that had her laughing.
Atlas appeared from her room, a grey tunic and matching pants folded in her hands as she walked over to Aelin. The blood smeared over her had dried as she looked Aelin up and down, a smirk painted on her face.
"You should wear this, if Fennis finds you touching anything in this house before changing and bathing, he'll strangle you," she drawled. Aelin rolled her eyes in return, "I'll like to see him try," she replied. Taking the clothes she headed to her room. Hot water streamed around her as she turned on the shower.
She looked at herself in the huge mirror, the lights fitted along it hovering over her, the cream-colored tiles illuminated with light. New toiletries had been set around the counter. What stared back in the mirror was not the person she once was.
Her long hair, reaching just above her hips, was dull, limp drenched in the blood of soldiers she had martyred. Her eyes seemed smaller, emerald irises seemed lustreless, skin pale and frill. Her muscular body was still too thin. Her rasp, almost blue, lips were pursed in a thin line as she looked at her exhausted features. It seemed her looks were just as tainted as her soul.
With that Aelin removed the last of her layers, avoiding looking at herself as she stepped under the steaming water, devouring it as it numbed her wounds. The gushing wound seemed to soothe as well though she was careful not to steer it under the water directly. And as the water streamed along her skin, drowning the blood and ache, a part of her subdued, broken soul also drowned with it.
~
The clothes were slightly loose, flowing everywhere as Aelin headed outside. Atlas, seated on a chair, gobbling food offered her a seat next to her, which Aelin sat on without any refusals.
Fennis grinned at her, "At least you don't look like a dirty pig anymore," he said haughtily. She stared back at him furrowing her eyebrows frowning.
"Glad to see you're still in high spirits."
"You know I would love to see your ass get kicked, king or no," Fennis howled, serving her a plate with eggs, bacon, and a side of bread sprawled on it. The food seemed delicious, its mouth-watering smell filling her nostrils as she smiled at the food.
"You know even though you're a useless prick at least we can put you to some use," she stated devouring each bite she took from the appetizing food. He snorted but the sound of Zavia silently chuckling filled their ears. She looked over to the Shadow Striker sprawled in a corner of the lounge busy cleaning her nails with her dagger. Fennis snorted walking over to her.
"Something you would like to say? Or have your vocal cords failed you?" he drawled, golden hair shifting as he did. She had to say, Atarah was rather impressive when it came to her choice in men-warriors she surrounded herself with. Great build, deathly powers, handsome, good-looking males.
Zavia glared at him for a moment, presumably questioning if she should carve his organs out, then with a low, vicious snarl she answered, "If they ever stop working, in fact, if any of my organs ever stop working I'll carve out one from you, or maybe more and make a necklace of it and strangle you while making sure you stay alive through all of it."
The grin that followed sent the hair on Aelin's neck rising. Fennis on the other did not flinch, knitting his eyebrows together murmuring what seemed like curses. Only that male had the audacity to talk to her like that.
"I"m telling you, crazy woman. Crazy," he whispered before turning around.
"Where are the rest of them?" Aelin questioned Atlas, who like her was busy gobbling her food, though the glint in her eyes told she had heard every part of the conversation.
She snapped her head in Aelin's direction, swallowing a mouthful of bread and a few pieces of bacon. It seemed being Fae had an impact on their appetite as well.
"Cassian and Jude are out for a walk, Ailani's studying the map again, Atarah and Lucien are in their room, probably squirmed in the shower together for all I know and Esma is in the room doing something if not chasing after some wild cat."
As if on cue Atarah and Lucien dragged out of the room, hands intertwined as they stared at each other, both grinning like maniacs.
"Get some room both of you," Aelin screamed, met with a chuckle from Atlas and smirk from Zavia, Fennis it seemed was busy with cooking.
As if snapping out of their trance they stared at Aelin, then Atlas then Fennis, then Zavia. Before either of them could say anything, Cassian burst open the door, screaming as he took heaving steps, dragging himself inside. His bloody clothes were gone, now replaced with a tunic and pants similar to Aelin, which still spoiled her mood, concealed in his cloak.
"NO! Besides if it weren't for me she wouldn't have been here!" Cassian sarcastically snickered, his loud voice booming. The door jolted behind him, Esma and Jude following him. Both had wicked grins painted on their faces, eyes gleaming with amusement and mischief.
"Oh for the love of God, spare my apartment!" Fennis screamed, storming towards them. By now Aelin had finished eating. She left her plate in the sink, walking over to them followed by Lucien and Atarah who remained quiet.
Seems like they've both lost their voices after the little session in the shower, Aelin thought to herself.
Cassian turned pale at the sight of her who only grinned, teeth flashing as she stared at him.
"What's all the commotion about?" Atlas questioned. Everyone gathered around the door as Fennis examined it, searching for any cracks or scratches.
"He says he saved Aelin's life, that she would have been dead with those miserable skills of hers if it wasn't for his reflexes and stealth," Esma sneered, rolling her eyes.
Aelin huffed in response, eyeing a rather pale Cassian, whose lower lip had already begun trembling.
"Now did he say that?" she questioned raising an eyebrow.
"I- it- they are lying!" Cassian screamed, voice shrill as his eyes grew wide, "I told them how you saved my life and how I would have been blinded if you didn't save me and how I almost pissed myself-" Cassian covered his mouth after the last part, eyes growing wider.
The room burst to laugh. The taunts and chattering were still bouncing off the shelves and furniture when they gathered in the sitting area, getting comfortable.
It had been a long day, tiring and exhausting and scary.
"Are you sure it was a dead-end?" Lucien asked for the third time. Aelin groaned in annoyance and ignorance, throwing her head back on the couch's soft material.
Atarah nodded again as the room settled into a bothering silence. Again.
"I'm sure. When we went into the tunnel, there was only one path. We followed it to the end and there was a dead end. No soldiers were waiting to kill us and there weren't any ambushes either. It was a dead-end, full of cobwebs and spiders," Atarah replied her silvery voice filled with seriousness as she gazed out the window.
"But how is that possible?" Ailani started as everyone turned their attention to her, "We have all of the maps. And they say that there should have been an open archway. The two tunnels connect in the same area. But we searched the whole area. The wall was solid and there were no hidden entrances. The wall didn't even seem like it had been added later. It was fitted." Her voice was grave, eyebrows knitted together as she bit her lip, fidgeting in her chair.
"And there weren't any guards like on your side either, it was just quiet and distant. And a dead end."
Aelin looked at each of their faces. Confusion and contemplation written across them. The room got stuffier, air bitter as they fell into another quiet faze.
"I think," she started as heads snapped towards her. Her voice was raw, limbs soaring in pain as her wound, hidden under her cloak, roared in agony, "that the move wasn't planned. There were no soldiers on that side because it was a dead end. If the king is hiding something, which I'm sure after our little encounter he is, he doesn't have to protect the other side. Because no one would get anywhere with it. As for the side we went from, the guards were stationed there just for something like this," she said gesturing towards the warriors.
"Where are you getting?" Atlas questioned.
A smile tugged on her lips, eyes twinkling with amusement as each piece fitted into place.
She cocked her head to the side, "The place was so protected, we hardly made it out of there. We ran because we realized it was a distraction before more soldiers poured in and captured us. The king isn't hiding whatever it is in the castle. I think the amulet, it's hidden in those tunnels. Because once we get it back I- we break the spell on the people. That'll cause chaos, stir enough distractions for us to move on and ambush the castle."
The idea of getting her amulet back sent joy striking through her veins, a grin painted on her face.
And then, she would go away, she would fulfill her wish for freedom. And lead a life and quiet and happiness where there would be no wars or silent slayers, A fresh start. Where she would spend her days reading and eating all the candy she could.
The rest only gawked at her as she snapped back to reality. Shaking her head faintly, she scanned each of their faces, awe-struck or confused, she didn't care. Nothing would stop her from getting that amulet.
"So what now?" Jude deadpanned from the corner. His face was a mask of lethal and cold as he stared at her.
"The king already knows someone is here. He'll have his forces doubled and everyone will be more alarmed. For now, we lay low, watch from the corner. There is a possibility they saw you lot," she gestured, "and confirmed your Fae heritage. So try not to make yourself too noticed. I'd suggest staying here at the apartment, observing. But keep a low profile at all costs. We've already lost the element of surprise and your powers aren't here to help either. So for now let's focus more on finding whatever is blocking your powers. Then with full force, we'll strike." Her voice felt rather hoarse. Bile burning it as she gulped. One step at a time.
"The king won't know what hit him," Lucien snarled grinning at her.
~
The night faded into dawn, as the sun rose over the horizon. A chill steamed her from her sleep as Aelin cracked an eye open.
Such solitude. So peaceful. This was her favorite time, when there were no disturbances or voices or worries. She wanted this for herself, a selfish, egoistical wish but it was the only thing she had ever asked for herself. Those years with Rick, the unbearable lessons, the instinct to survive, it was all for this moment. To lead a beautiful, peaceful life. Spending her last days happy and content, a feeling she never knew.
She stayed in bed until the footsteps and voices from outside became clear and audible from her open window, her own companions awake and about to their own tasks. She forced herself out of bed, brewing a cold shower, which was rather uncomfortable considering her wound and sore limbs. The clothes were rather horrendous, considering their style and posture. The loose material got the best of her, pissing her off even more as they threatened to fall off her body any second.
"Someone is in a pissy mood," Cassian called from where he was seated, munching on his breakfast. A glare towards him had him chuckling.
"One more crackling noise and I'll rip your throat out," she sneered as he held his laugh. She would have lunged for him if Atlas wouldn't have held her back. "Let me go, I'll bite his head off!" she screamed as she tried to claw her way out of Atlas's hold.
"As much as I would love for you to do that, we need him," Atlas glared at Cassian who raised his hands in surrender.
"By the way when you come to throttle me, make sure your clothes don't fall off."
Aelin ran towards him.
"YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT I WILL MAKE YOU FORGET YOUR NAME, I'LL CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR FACE JUST LET ME GET TO YOU!" Aelin screamed as she ran after him.
"I said I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you," Cassian whimpered as he ran, dodging the chair as he jumped over the couch.
"Cassian you better run for your life, she really will skin you," Fennis muttered from the kitchen earning a glare from Cassian.
"Stop," Lucien called as he left the room. His eyes were hardly open, hair tangled as he avoided a yawn.
Aelin and Cassian stilled in their places, both gulping for air as they stared at shirtless Lucien who was still stretching as he let out a long sigh.
"It's 11 in the morning for goodness sake," he reprimanded as he glared at Cassian then looked Aelin over, who greeted him with a rather obscene gesture.
"Don't worry we were done," Aelin spitted out as she snatched her cloak, throwing it over, and headed for the door.
"Where do you think you're headed?" Lucien asked walking towards her as the rest continued with their tasks.
"Out," was her only reply as she reached for the door. Lucien grabbed her wrist as a wave of shivers ran through her body, her skin leaning into his touch. He stepped closer, their breaths mingling as she stared into those depthless grey eyes, his skin gleaming in the sun's light.
"You were the one who said we had to keep a low profile and not leave the apartment and here you are walking away," he tsked disapprovingly.
His breath was hot, voice drowsy as he tilted his head to the side assessing her. Another feeling passed through her though she didn't let it show as she kept her face calm and stared back at him.
"That order was for all of you," she said a little loudly, gaining their attention. "I'm a human, I get to do whatever I please, go wherever I want. None of you leave this apartment if you need anything tell me. Your stupidity has already put us in danger, I suggest you follow my rules now. Don't try to be sneaky bastards, don't try to do anything you'll regret or you'll suffer my wrath then."
She pulled her wrist from Lucien's hold turning as she opened the door and stepped out. Their stares burned through her as she loosened a sigh.
"What about you? We're a team and you are a mortal, you could get killed-" Lucien pleaded.
"I am no part of your group," she snapped back almost immediately. She could've sworn hurt flashed on his face for a moment but she didn't care. I'm an acquaintance let's call it and I'll do as I please. Now sit your asses down."
The door boomed as she shut it and left the apartment, into the bustling city.