The Crow King's Wife (The Elder Blood Chronicles #5)(106)

Finn raised his eyebrows at Hemlock and his smirk widened to a grin. “My sword was rather well poisoned by the way. It was not quite the same mixture you used on me in Sanctuary though. I’d say Havoc has a much better chance at living than you do unless you can somehow manage to stumble over to Kali and rouse her quickly. I’d highly suggest you leave here before you attempt to wake her though. Zoelyn looks ready to kill you and I know Seth would like nothing more than to bury his knife in your throat.” Finn spoke calmly as he replaced his sword in its scabbard and made a point of tucking the blood soaked cloth into an inside pocket of his cloak.

“You are a Divine.” Hemlock coughed and shook his head at Finn in disbelief. “You can’t involve yourself personally in this.” He said with accusation thick in his voice.

Finn raised one eyebrow and cocked his head at Hemlock. “I can’t?” he asked in mock innocence then gave an exaggerated frown. “But I just did.” He pointed out calmly and motioned toward Hemlock’s blood soaked tunic. “And if you don’t get that tended soon you are going to be the first victim of the Elder pox in over two thousand years. That particular disease died out a while back you know, but I do so hate to let fascinating things fall by the wayside. I’ve heard it’s a rather gruesome way to die. What happened to the Veirasha is supposed to be a pale facsimile of the true pox.”

Hemlock’s already pale face seemed to lose another shade or two as he stumbled toward Kali and slid down to the floor beside her leaving a bloody smear across the stone wall in his wake. “The Divine may not interfere in the actions of the mortal world.” Hemlock insisted as his hand locked around Kali’s wrist.

“Don’t just let him go.” Seth snarled, but even as he spoke Hemlock was beginning the casting of a teleportation spell with more than a little panic showing in his expression. Apparently Finn’s mention of the pox was more than enough incentive to get him to leave.

“I have your blood Hemlock. Remember that before you think to move against Zoelyn again.” Finn warned as the Assassin finished his spell and faded from the room with Kali. Finn gave a weary sigh and looked at Seth’s ragged form. “I’d explain why I let him live, but in your current state I think you’d be dead before I got to the second sentence. We need to get you back to the Darklands where you can heal.” Glancing up he offered a hand to Zoelyn and smiled. “Come along Zoey. Let’s get you some place safer.”

Zoelyn started to move forward then shook her head slowly and stepped away from both of them. “I’m not going with you Finn. I only came back to help Seth, but I know he will be fine in your hands.” She murmured as she took another step back and turned to go.

“Zoey, the others won’t realize you are here. You will be left in Rivana.” Finn called after her with a hint of concern lacing his voice.

“I can’t go with you, Finn.” Zoelyn returned as she quickened her pace. She couldn’t allow herself to look back at them. She didn’t want to see Seth in such a pitiful state, and it was taking all of her willpower to walk away from him. She knew if she went with them to the Darklands that she would lose all desire to turn away from Seth, and she didn’t want to be caught by his Charm again. Being tricked once was bad enough. She wouldn’t allow it to happen a second time.

“Zoelyn wait!” Seth called after her in a pain filled voice and her walk turned to a run as her willpower crumbled. She had to get far away from him before it faded completely or she knew she was lost.





*





The sound of faint footsteps drew her gaze upward and Zoelyn stared listlessly toward the doorway. She had no idea what part of the ruined keep she was in, and she knew her friends were long gone by now. Whoever was approaching was most likely Rivasan, and she knew she should get to her feet, but she couldn’t muster the energy for it. She had run until her tears blurred her vision too much to continue then collapsed by one of the walls and hadn’t bothered to move again.

There was no point to moving. Her friends were gone, Finn was gone, and she was lost. She couldn’t even summon magic to transport herself home. A bitter smile curved her lips at the thought, there was no escaping Rivasa, and she couldn’t even count on Seth showing up to save her. He’d already shown up once and nearly died for it, but she couldn’t honestly say if he had shown up to save her, or simply to attempt to kill Hemlock. She knew how much Seth hated Hemlock, and doubted he would miss any opportunity to kill the Assassin.

The door pushed open and she startled at the sight of Shade standing in the doorway. His auburn hair was tousled badly and his leather armor was torn and bloodstained, but he didn’t appear to be injured, not in body anyway, by the look on his face she couldn’t say the same about his spirit. His face was drawn and pale with an expression of utter defeat covering his features. His blue eyes swept the room once then fixed on her.

“They said Seth came for you, but I didn’t want to leave until I made sure you were safe.” His words were soft with more weariness than she had ever heard in his voice before.

“Thank you.” She murmured as she forced herself to her feet. Her head throbbed from crying and she knew her voice was hoarse from her raw throat. I must sound as bad as he looks she realized glumly.

“The ship is loaded if you are willing to leave here.” Shade informed her and rubbed the back of his neck as he looked her over. “I think the two of us might possibly be the most depressed victors history has ever seen before.” He observed with a bitter smile.