Unknown L (Book 1)

~~~ Secrets And Lies ~~~

L wasted no time in running back to Bryce. She pulled him up as best she could and held him over one shoulder. It was a lot more difficult to hold him when he was unconscious. L attempted some of the magic Vadim had taught her, despite his advice not to without more tuition. It helped to keep Bryce upright, though, and she ran for the door without thinking about it. Her breath caught when she got through with no resistance, and she kept on running. She could hear cursing and shuffling behind her, but she ran as fast as her legs would carry her under Bryce's added weight.

They almost made it to the entryway when something grabbed the back of L's cloak and ragged her backwards, sending her flying and Bryce slumping down to the ground. L slid across the corridor and into the nearest wall. She heard something crack, and her side felt like it was splitting in two. She looked up through hazy eyes to see Sorence seething above her.

"You disgusting, ungrateful little bitch, how dare you treat me in such a way? Your manners are atrocious. I hope Frallica beats these bad habits out of you before she is done."

Groans escaped L as he grabbed the back of her cloak and pulled her up; she could see Bryce laying motionless on the floor in front of her. Whatever he was under was keeping him that way. L couldn't understand where the Council were at this point, they knew Bryce would be there unconscious and would need help getting to safety. Where was Archie? Or any of the other doctors? 

She clutched at her side, trying and failing to pull away from Sorence's grip. She suddenly felt something wet seeping through her clothes onto her fingers. She knew it would be blood but her mind couldn't comprehend it, instead it focused on something coming through the front doors.

It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust after her injury, but L saw that it was a someone not a something. Her heart soared when she saw that it was Kreleth, he must have come back for Bryce. He was the Elven representative on the Council after all, it was probably his responsibility. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Bryce and then Sorence holding L, he looked between them and L called out to him.

"Help! You need to get Bryce out of here, I can take care of this idiot myself."

L felt Sorence's grip tighten and heard him cursing under his breath. Kreleth didn't move however and continued to look down at Bryce.

"We do not have time for your lollygagging, you have him and so I can take her, the agreement has been fulfilled, yes?"

L heard Sorence's words but she couldn't make sense of them, who was he talking to? She turned her head to see him looking over at Kreleth, who was still staring down at Bryce. L wondered if Sorence could see someone she couldn't, when Kreleth moved to stand over Bryce and he peered to the two of them.

"It has been fulfilled, but I did not say you could take the girl alive. You work for Frallica and I cannot let her get her hands on the last Keeper; even I am not selfish or idiotic enough to damn my world too. You will wait there until I am done with this matter."

He pointed a hand at Sorence who screeched in fury but he didn't move, or couldn't move, he was all but frozen. L couldn't move anything except her head and she watched in horror as Kreleth pulled out a dagger. She noted that it was similar to the one Bryce had had when L first met him. He stood over Bryce's limp body and he was smiling, it was evil and full of hate.

"Finally I will rid myself of you and your dishonourable ways. Your sister and niece will be next and the Kingdom will finally be returned to its former glory."

L screamed Bryce's name at the top of her lungs the moment Kreleth raised the dagger. L's heart stopped. She couldn't move or breathe, all she could do was watch the blade descend towards Bryce's chest.