Page 64 of The Souls Harvest
“I think I don’t need to,” he mutters. His eyes scan my face, reading on my scratched, sore skin the list of lies and truths thrown at me in the last couple of days.
“At least tell me,” I squeeze his hand. “How did they get here? How did the Herionos evade our aerial shields and land on the Wise?” My voice breaks on the last word as if mourning a friend.
Galen’s hand tightens around mine, clammy and damp with water and blood. The skin on the back of his hand is rough when I slightly brush it with my thumb.
“Someone let them in…Someone is interested in that Rogue as much asweare and must have gotten to the details of your mission just after Evelyn shared it with you.”
As much as I enjoy the idea of someone wanting to fuck up the Chapter’s plans the same way they did with my life and mind, I can’t ignore the fact that many innocent Harvesters are now involved; their homes and lives irremediably endangered, like after the Great Famine.
“They should go after Roden.” I dig my nails into my palm.
Galen lets go of my hand and remains silent for a moment, observing the fire in the distance as it devours what’s left of the Blind Wise inch by inch.
“This won’t stop Roden,” he mumbles, slowly turning his attention to me. “This wasn’t aimed at Roden…”
Revelation booms louder than the recent explosion. I back up, shaking my head.
“I’m the only one who can destroy that soul. They’re afterme?”
Galen sighs, “This is why I wanted to meet you on the tower. I was ordered to fly you from the island before your official crossing. The others with me on the Wise were only supposed to ensure we got away without interference. But—”
“The Herionos got there first. And the shore?”
A feline smile stretches on his lips. “Ourpeople didn’t survivefor centuries without mastering second and third alternative escape routes.”
The glaring flames shine behind Galen like a halo. I look past his shoulder. “That doesn’t justify the lives lost up there.”
I can’t shake away the thought of me being here, close to safety, while innocents are battling not just the fire, but also against the Herionos running freely through Libera’s streets.
Screams of war and cries of pain ring loudly in the air.
Galen grabs my wrist and motions towards the bottom of the hill. “People who believe in our cause are at work to save as many as possible. I know you have more questions than ever, and there will be time for explanations. But, for now, I need you to trust me.”
When I hesitate and yank my arm away, he grimaces and grits his teeth, glaring at the blood stain on his shirt, which has spread a little bit more.
I step closer, meaning to lift his shirt to check the damage, but he holds a hand up, pressing the other against his abdomen.
He’s fighting for breath, and it sounds like something small is rattling inside his chest. “I’m fine. Someone will fix me up, but we must now reach the shore.Shesaw me like this so many times—” He groans in pain, bending over and landing a hand heavily on my shoulder.
I stagger slightly under his weight, but I regain my balance and tilt his head up. “Are you sure this personis still there? Despite everything that’s happening?”
A nod—that’ll suffice for now.
Far whistles seem to follow us.
“Do you hear that?” he coughs.
“It’s the rain extinguishing the fire—”
He shakes his head. “They’re patrolling the area, looking for us.” He grabs my hand, pulling me closer, and I can’t help but gaze worriedly at his shirt splotched with blood.
The second after, we’re running. My lungs burn, and my mind hurts with the thought that we’re abandoning innocent people.
And I am the cause of their ruin…
The sea beckons in the darkness. The night breeze carries salty sand and the scent of the oil used to keep the torches burning at sunset. It welcomes Galen and me as we approach the beach.
There is something on the shore. Tiny lights flicker in the distance in two symmetrical lines, marking a landing path at the end of which someone waves a torch, signalling us to hurry up.
