Ever Darkening by Janeal Falor

Author:Janeal Falor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: coming of age, fantasy, young adult, darkness, swords, light, fighting
Publisher: Janeal Falor

Chapter Twelve

There’s a sound, but I can’t bolt to my feet. I can’t even open my eyes. Malryx are attacking, and I can’t defend. My breathing becomes panicked, until I remember there are no Malryx left. So then where am I, and why can’t I move?

“Kaylyn?” Marsa. “You’re safe. I’m here. We’re all here, and we’re all fine. You’re going to be all right.”

But Jorrin’s not. It comes back to me in a rush. He was stabbed by a tree. A tree, for moon’s sake!

I force my eyes open. A group of them hover worriedly next to me, and sure enough, Jorrin is a little paler than usual but otherwise looks well enough. He’s wearing a new shirt; the telltale thickening on his muscular left shoulder is certain to be a bandage.

I try to speak, but it comes out as a sad squawk.

Marsa grabs a water skin. There’s a large gash in her cheek. “Sorry. We don’t have any good water left.”

She helps me drink. The stuff isn’t as vile when I’m so parched I can’t even talk.

“Careful,” Marsa says. “Granny did a good job bandaging your shoulder, but you don’t want to take any chances.”

What more of a chance can we take after that trip in the forest? Still, for her sake I try to be more cautious as I drink. When I’m finished, I glance at Granny. She’s weathered but dignified with her white hair and wrinkles. I ask Marsa, “Everyone is all right?”

“Yes.”

I nod. “How long was I out?”

“Not long,” Felix says. “Maybe an hour.”

An hour that we can’t afford to lose. “We need to leave. Now.”

I try to sit up, but Marsa puts a hand on my shoulder and pushes me back down. “You need to rest and heal.”

“Do I have any serious injuries?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

Her lips purse. “No. You lost a lot of blood, though, and have a lot of open wounds.”

“So I’m only a little weaker from blood loss from cuts and scratches.”

Her grip on my shoulder tightens. “We had to put a few stitches in your leg. You need to be careful so they don’t tear.”

Felix winces. Jorrin stays silent, his brooding expression never varying.

“If he’s fine, then so am I.” Gently, but firmly, I brush her hand off me and sit up. The room tilts but quickly rights itself. I don’t push it by standing up. Yet. “Has anyone talked to the villagers?”

Their gazes all turn toward the ground.

“It’s been an hour,” I say. “What have you been doing?”

“Trying to make sure you weren’t dead,” Jorrin snaps.

“Clearly, I’m fine.”

Felix holds his hands up in the air. “Don’t look at me. I’m trying to get used to not being the one everyone’s hovering over.”

A small smile slips out, but I quickly rein it back in. “Truly, I’m fine, but none of us will be if we don’t leave. Did they say if it’s night?”

None of them say anything. I try not to roll my eyes. Can’t fault them too much for being worried over me.

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