Marked

Chapter 6

"Like what?"

"Like you pity me. I don't need it."

She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes as any empathy she felt evaporated. Roe changed the subject quickly, not wanting to linger on the past, and the emotions dredged up.

"How exactly do you plan to get us into the castle?"

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Many Fae are invited to the balls at the castle. We could walk through the front doors so long as we appear to belong."

"Interesting." She considered his plan, wondering if it were too good to be true. Nothing was ever easy.

"Where is the ballroom versus the library?"

Kian sat back in his chair, and his eyes flicked upwards as he tried to remember. His eyes landed back on Roe.

"It's two floors down."

"So what's the catch?"

"Guests are not permitted beyond the ballroom, and there will be guards posted around the entrances and exists. The library is the king's personal collection, so there'll be guards there too."

"We'll need a distraction," Roe concluded, and he nodded.

"I should be able to come up with something. Once the distraction is underway, it'll be up to you to retrieve the book."

Nervousness fluttered in her stomach as she thought through his idea, wondering again if she should trust him. It all seemed to favor him.

The words rushed out of her mouth before she could stop them, "I still want the other half of the amulet."

All Kian did was grunt, in what she assumed to be affirmation, before sliding a piece of paper towards him on the table. She supposed she would take that for now. Roe hadn't noticed the paper and cup of quills on the table, nor the small inkpot, and silently chided herself for her lack of observantness. He began sketching the layout of the two floors she needed to navigate. It seemed simple enough.

He finished, and then he stood.

"It's getting late. Stay here for the time being. If you need to go out, keep your identity concealed. I'll be back in the morning."

Roe stood with him, asking, "Where are you going?"

"As far from here as I can before the Daemon wake for the evening."

She felt a distinct sense of unease as he left. Outside, the night was creeping across the sky, light fading into oblivion behind the mountain. She closed the shutters to the dual windows on either side of the door, falling into a familiar routine as she got ready for bed.

Roe wasn't sure if she was supposed to sleep in the bed or on the couch. She opted for the couch out of some attempt at politeness. A bundle of nerves had made their home in the pit of her belly like a tangle of snakes. They had settled on a plan, but that didn't assuage the waves of anxiety that were coursing through her. Would it be considered treason to steal from the High King?

Finally, she drifted off into a restless sleep as the night engulfed the city in darkness.

–

"Uncle Axos, Sirscha, I'm home!"

Emptiness called back to her like an answer, her voice echoing throughout the estate's foyer. It was dark outside, and the servants hadn't lit the lanterns yet for the evening. None of them were dashing through the halls either, and an eerie quiet had settled over her like a blanket.

Somewhere far away, something dropped to the floor with a clatter.

"Sirscha? Uncle Axos?"

She stepped tentatively into the room, kicking off her shoes and moving towards the grand staircase that split into two balconies leading to the rooms on the second floor.

She moved through the house silently, her footsteps padded by the carpeting that ran throughout. She crept up the stairs, something deep within her telling her to be quiet. Something wasn't right.

She turned to the left and took the first door leading into Sirscha's room.

First, she noticed that the carpet was wet and squishy. Then, when she looked up, the horror slapped her across the face. Blood was everywhere, in every crevice, soaking every surface. The coverlets were mottled with it, and in the center of the bed lay a disfigured bump of arms and twisted legs and so, so much blood.

She screamed, but nothing came out. She stood there for what seemed like an eternity and screamed, screamed, screamed. Blood began pouring down the walls in waves, splashing against the floor ricocheting across her legs. The warm liquid was pooling at her ankles and nipping at her skin, and all she could do was scream.