Book 3, Chapter 10 - The Angel of Bone (1/2)

Autumn tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Her long lily-white legs kicked at the sheets.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had trouble sleeping. Autumn sat up, brows knit. Her people were in danger and all their hopes had been placed on her frail shoulders. How could she sleep, now that her vital mission had failed?

The girl’s inexperience dealing with people had come back to bite her. The eboncrys was gone, stolen, but that didn’t make her angry. She wasn’t a resentful sort by nature, and her people had no shortage of the energy crystals. No, what made her furious was that bastard’s smug face.

What could she do? Her tribe was living under threat of destruction, she had to save them!

Knock-knock!

Someone was standing just outside the door.

Was it him? Could he have suddenly found a conscience? Did he decide to help?

Clinging to the naïve hope she slipped off the bed and padded to the door in bare feet. But the man on the other side wasn’t the shop owner. This was the other one – tall and lithe, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was the owner’s accomplice, though had a much warmer expression than that hateful thug.

The faint smell of gore hung over him.

As the scent crawled up her nostrils anxiety welled up inside Autumn. She saw that he’d changed clothes. His golden hair was still wet from a shower. Whatever he’d done, a single wash hadn’t washed away the stench.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe here. I’ve already dealt with a group of them who were planning to make trouble. It’s probably best if you stay here, at least for tonight. By tomorrow things will start to cool down.” He’d brought some food with him, and offered it to her with a gentle smile. “Here, some snacks. Cloudhawk heard that you weren’t sleeping and thought you might be hungry. He asked me to prepare something for you.”

Autumn’s eyes sparkled. This golden-haired man was like a refreshing breeze next to that brute. He was polite, gentle, and thoughtful. She didn’t believe for a moment that the store owner cared about her well-being.

“Thank you.” He was the owner’s servant, but he couldn’t be much weaker. There was a flicker of hope in Autumn’s expression. “You’re a good man.”

He answered with a bashful smile. “I’m not, actually. And Cloudhawk isn’t as bad as he seems.”

“No, you’re definitely a hundred times the man he is. Can I… ask a favor?” Her eyes glistened with desperation. “Can you help take me away from this place? Escort me back home and you can have as much eboncrys as you want! I can’t be stranded here, my people are dying. I’m begging you!”

The last work broke as emotion caught her throat. She searched his eyes pleadingly, her own heavy with sadness.

Even the coldest heart would be moved by her appeal. She tugged at Gabriel’s sense of compassion. He hadn’t agreed with how harshly Cloudhawk had treated her. It was nothing short of robbery, and then refusing to help her only made it worse. What sort of man did that!

“I want to help you, but Cloudhawk wouldn’t agree. I can’t.” He bowed slightly. “I’m very sorry. I hope you get some sleep.”

He sighed and left her alone.

It was true, he did wish to help. If it were something small, he’d be happy to perform a service for the pretty girl. But even an idiot could tell whatever burden she was carrying wasn’t light. That was probably why Cloudhawk refused her in the first place. Besides, they had their own mission here in the Sandbar.

Autumn wasn’t yet ready to give up.

Fine! If they aren’t willing to help, then I’ll flee and make do!

It didn’t matter what dangers were stacked against her. She had to find Fishmonger’s Borough. She had to get the treasure her people had lost!

Images of accusatory faces glared at her through her memory. Children and elderly consumed by fire. Her eyes reddened. She remembered that ferocious beast and its devilish powers. Just the memory made her shiver, made her restless. If what the golden-haired man said was true, and the danger was passed, then she couldn’t hesitate any longer. Under the cover of darkness she quietly pulled open the door and tip-toed toward the exit.

Run! I have to run! She was determined to escape.

She had only shuffled a few steps forward before colliding with something damp. She stumbled, falling onto her backside with an oof! Something wet covered her face and a cloying scent filled her nose. She looked up at the figure looming above.

“I’m sorry!” She was started and offered the apology instinctively, but no sooner were the words free from her lips than Autumn sensed something was wrong. Her eyes slowly widened until they were large panicked orbs. Terror bubbled up from inside and escaped as a piercing scream.

This wasn’t a person! It was a monster, tied to a stake, without a single stitch of flesh on it!

The unfortunate soul had been flayed to the bone, but no major arteries had been severed. Dripping red vessels twined around the exposed bones of the victim’s face, arms and torso. Yet most terrifying was that whatever man this used to be was still alive! Its jaw opened and shut but the sound of its teeth were the only sound.

Clack! Clack! Clack!