Aquarius by Kim Faulks

Author:Kim Faulks [Faulks, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-06-24T05:00:00+00:00

10

Odessa

I lowered my head as the wind picked up speed. Gusts whipped hair into my eyes. Slick tears fell, blurring the darkness.

They’re from the wind, I told myself.

They weren’t tears of pain and sorrow at all.

The bitter tea still lingered somewhere in the back of my throat. I licked my lips and worked enough moisture into my mouth to swallow. But no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t rid myself of the taste.

They tried to kill me.

I gripped the straps from my backpack and hitched my step—shifting the weight—and kept on walking. A faint sound slipped through the night. I stilled my steps. The crunch of boots ahead drowned out the fleeting call. Was it a wolf? Was it the new Bloodstone pack?

Pain bloomed in my chest like the most beautiful and deadly night flower. They tried to kill me. To find their brother. Wouldn’t I have done the same? Kill another, hurt another, to find my way back to kin?

I searched inside for answers, and then shook my head, casting slick tears aside. No. I’d rather be alone forever. There was far too much pain in the world—far too much hopelessness—and sometimes, family could be…cruel.

The heavy thud of boots slowed in front, the brutal wind whipped the sound away. I slowed, dropping my shoulder and releasing my bag from one side. I reached into the belly of the thicket, finding my way through the thorns.

The berries were thick, juicy. I worked fast, piling the berries into a cloth, and tied the ends. I felt the poison working its way through my system, clenching and twisting. My stomach rumbled in protest and the shadowed wolf waited.

I picked a handful of raspberry leaves as Victor’s steps grew faint. The sound of heavy chains clinked and rattled in my mind.

They tried to kill you, Odessa.

Let me return the favor.

A thorn gouged the back of my hand as I wrenched free. The sting was instant, shoving the bitter wind aside. I yanked my hand to my lips and tasted blood. The footsteps in front were so faint now, barely even there. I could be all alone out here, no one would ever know. I tucked the berries into the top of my pack and set off, gaining speed.

I swung my pack over my shoulder and grasped the strap. “You just stay right where you are.”

Victor had barely spoken since we left the house. A few words—kind words, soft words—were all that lingered between us, but as we hit the road and dipped back down the other side of the mountain and away from his home, the conversation waned until there was only silence.

I caught the glimpse of white in the distance before he rounded a pine and disappeared. The wind howled through the trees, turning colder with every minute that passed. I yanked the collar of my jacket higher and followed Victor’s trail.

The night grew colder—too cold for autumn. I dug into my pack and grabbed the raspberry leaf. Small thorns grazed my fingers as I tore a small piece free and shoved it into my mouth.

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