Bound by Darkness (Bound By Series)

20. New Light

Chapter 20

New Light

THALIA

Fin did not stir against the branches and rocks strewn across the ground.

Blood leaked from the arrow protruding from his side.

Jumping from Onyx, my feet pounded into the ground as I ran to him, my arms heaving him onto his back as his chest lazily rose and fell—unconscious.

“Keep the wound from bleeding!” Ivan yelled, twin swords in hand as he scanned the area.

My nod was lethargic as my hands pressed against the wound, blood spurting between the creases of my fingers.

A groan left Fin’s lips as I pushed harder.

“Stay here,” Ivan growled, his hands clenching both weapons tightly. “I’m going to check the area.”

“Okay.” My hands were coated in red as the metallic tang of copper filled my nostrils.

Another arrow whizzed past, striking the tree in front of me as bits of bark tumbled to the leaves below.

Whipping around, my eyes followed Ivan, a trail of black as he headed toward the direction the arrow had flung from .

Swallowing, I shuffled my body above Fin as I studied how his chest rose and fell with each labored breath.

I would not let him die here.

Another arrow pierced the ground, narrowly missing my foot in its path. The arrows flew closer, striking with accurate precision.

What was Ivan doing?

Another groan erupted from Fin, his eyes shifting back and forth under his eyelids.

“Hold on. Hold on.” I didn’t know why I repeated the phrase when no one was coming to help. We were alone… and it was on me to keep him alive.

The forest stilled, and not a bird or animal called out. The only sound came from the occasional whoosh of an arrow as it flew above us, signaling whoever was shooting them continued to gain ground quickly.

I didn’t know how to fight.

I didn’t know how to protect myself.

The stunt I’d fabricated with Ivan had been a farce, a mockery. Real fighting? I didn’t stand a chance, especially if the archer made it here.

Fin’s blood leaked through my fingers, leaving behind a sticky, coppery mess.

The bleeding wasn’t stopping from the pressure I applied. I had to slow the bleeding; otherwise, he would be dead before Ivan returned. Fumbling with the hem of my shirt, red tainted the thin fabric as I yanked.

Huffing, I grabbed a jagged stick from the foliage and poked it underneath, pushing it through the material until it tore.

I grabbed a frayed edge and yanked until the material ripped, exposing my stomach beneath. Wadding the fabric, I stuffed it beside the deeply embedded arrow, a deep groan escaping from Fin.

“Sorry,” I squeaked as I pressed harder and deeper into the wound.

The shirt turned red, but the added pressure slowed the bleeding enough to stop it from spilling onto the ground. My arms quivered at the unusual angle, fatigue setting into my bones?—

A shove pushed my face into the ground as dirt and dust swirled within my vision, leaving behind throbbing pain. Coughing, wetness seeped into my side as I stared at the branches and leaves. I blinked back the blinding ache as I stared at the red puddle permeating the muddy earth—at the body missing.

My eyes roamed the floor until they landed on Fin’s body twisted at an unnatural angle against an oak tree a few stones away. Blood trickled from his forehead.

A noise flew from me as a boot collided with his side, shoving him further against the wooden stump. Pieces of bark broke from the force as the foot collided with him repeatedly, the arrow cracking and breaking to pieces.

My nails dug into the loose earth as I stumbled to one knee. “Stop,” I rasped.

The boot halted its assault as it rested atop Fin’s head, mud flinging onto his forehead. My lunch sunk as the hooded figure cocked their head to the side, their brown eyes locking onto mine.

Dressed in fighting leathers like Ivan’s, the hooded figure applied pressure to Fin’s head. Their beady eyes tracked every movement I made as I stumbled, the blood rushing to my feet as I faced my opponent.

An ornate crest rested above the hooded figure’s heart, outlined in bits of silver and purple. Below the hood, a mask concealing any identifiable features covered his face.

“Half-breeds don’t make the decisions,” he spat, his arms crossing over the iron sheets woven across his chest. They blended into the fabric seamlessly. “You should be kneeling.”

Slowly, my fingers crept for the hilt of my dagger resting against my thigh. “Leave him alone.”

The hooded man laughed, his mask jostling with the movement. “Making demands when you’re surrounded? A new level of stupidity, Thalia.”

My stomach lurched into my throat.

The man’s brow rose in silent confirmation. He’d found what he had been looking for.

Kicking Fin’s limp body once more, he wiped the blood from his shoe away with the wet ground before striding over. His movements were elegant, but he did not have the same skill as Ivan. Ivan moved with speed and agility, like an ancient pukah tracking its prey.

I struck, the dagger flying from my hands as it collided with his chest.

The man laughed, deep and full of annoyance. The dagger had struck true, but it slid from his chest like oil. No mark graced where I’d thrown it.

I reached for the other dagger resting against my lower leg. Maybe it lost momentum. Maybe my swing had?—

My knees buckled underneath an invisible hand, the pressure slapping me into the leaves and twigs below. My arms strained against the weight as I tried to pry myself from the wet foliage.

I couldn’t move. What… what was going on?

“Now, Thalia,” he stated as he crouched beside me. “You have two options. Either come with me willingly, and both of your companions die… or I take you unwillingly, and both your companions die. Preference?”

My eyes locked with his as my jaw tightened, a muscle flexing beneath. “What about neither?” I spat, the effects of the pressure lingering in my bones .

His hand rose as a mark etched deep into his flesh appeared. It sputtered and glowed like faelight, sparks of white fluttering within as he held it over my body.

The earth cracked beneath me as if a hundred men held me, their bodies toppling onto mine. The man waved his hand, the pressure localizing on my fingers as I screamed.

A crack sounded as bone broke.

“I told you to answer,” he said flatly.

Another scream tore from my lungs as bones continued to snap. It radiated through my hand, the throbbing refusing to dissipate.

The man removed his hand, the pressure decreasing as deep gulps of air entered my lungs. A few of my fingers twitched.

“I’ll ask you again. Which option?” Gone was the amused tone in his voice.

I remained silent.

“Very well. Then?—”

Another hooded figure burst through the trees. “ He’s on his way here,” said a soft voice. The same crest rested upon her fighting leathers as her eyes darted between us. “If she finds out what we are doing to?—”

“Shut up,” the man hissed, focusing on me as he held steady pressure. “Hold your position. If we bring her back, she’ll forgive us.”

“But sir… the remaining five are currently engaged with him. There is no one to hold the position.”

The man blinked, a glimmer of fear welling within. “What do you mean remaining five?”

“Everyone,” she said, her eyes roaming the forest, “everyone else is dead.”

The man looked to his comrade, and whatever he saw made him shift uncomfortably. “ We must hurry.”

The comrade nodded, an arrow knocked against the bow as she pointed it toward the tree line. “Haul her out.”

He nodded faintly before turning to me. “Guess we can’t play anymore, Thalia.”

My arms pressed into my sides as he hauled me over his shoulder. The pressure tightened, but not enough to cause pain. “Put me down!”

My eyes scanned the forest for any sign of Ivan. Panic set in as the invisible cord tightened around me with each movement of my body. He told me he wouldn’t let anything happen. Was it a lie? Had it been an empty promise?

“There!” the woman yelled as an arrow flew from her bow. “He’s?—”

The woman didn’t finish the statement before she collapsed in two, blood spraying from her severed body.

“Put her down,” Ivan growled, his eyes shining with pure blood-lust. Crimson splattered his leather clothing and face, both swords gleaming in the wet liquid.

The man raised his hand, familiar white light spreading over the forest with accurate calm.

Ivan roared as he collapsed to one knee, his head straining to lift. His eyes widened as they fell upon me… and undiluted fear shone back.

The pressure slammed further into Ivan as he collided against the foliage. “Bastard!” he yelled, his eyes struggling to meet mine. Crunching filled my ears as he ground out, “Fight.”

The man laughed. “This is what you deserve, Ivan , for failing.”

My eyes locked with his—at the fear and pain swirling within. He was going to break him. The man was going to break Ivan and make me watch it.

“Fight,” Ivan spat. Blood spurted from his lips. “Thalia, fight .”

Not a demand. Not a call.

A plea upon his lips, but the pressure latched onto me deeply, its talons pressing into my arms and sides.

Ivan lifted his head, a feat of strength, as he mouthed the words I’d forgotten years ago.

Yeva , he mouthed. Do it for her.

My heart cleaved in half, a well opening inside me as claws of ebony curled around the iron door.

Not for him. Not for me, but for her . For the promise I had made my sister. The promise I had forgotten eleven years ago. Claws shredded the iron door as tears spilled down my cheeks.

“Dammit!” I cried, fighting to release the hold surrounding my casting abilities. It was a hold I’d placed on myself, because I was terrified of the repercussions. Scared of what might occur if I unleashed hell, but right now, I needed it. I needed the darkness as I called out to it—screaming at it to release.

Claws shredded at the door.

The weight crushed my back as the man hauled me into the thick canopy of trees away from him.

A scream tore through me as I pushed against the singular door. It creaked and groaned until a tendril punctured through. More followed after, waves of darkness pouring from the crack until the hinges broke.

Night rippled through me, a flood of darkness seeping from my fingertips.

The man yelped, my body crashing to the earth as the weight lifted from my chest. A gasp left my lips as I stumbled up, darkness pouring out with no boundaries. I couldn’t stop it. I didn’t know how to as my hands coated the ground in inky black.

The man straightened, a deep growl escaping his throat as he lunged forward. Memories flooded of the witch as she’d pounced to my throat.

My hands raised, bathing the man in black. He let out a harrowing screech as darkness invaded every orifice, every crevice of his being.

The sounds of choking filled the silent forest until a thud hit the ground.

He was dead and I had killed him.

I had killed him .

Oh gods—I had killed someone else. My body collided with the dirt as darkness swirled around me, consuming the deepest parts of myself I had long forgotten.

I killed someone.

Wisps of smoke curled around my arms and legs, caressing the tender skin.

Consume. Feed. Forget.

Numbness coated me as darkness spread, washing me in wave after wave.

Consume. Consume. Consume.

The inky darkness spread along the forest floor consuming plants and trees as it snuffed life itself. A torrent of death crept into my mouth, shielding my vision with pure night. I wanted to scream, but night kissed me instead, silencing my wails and filling my lungs with tar.

Let me feed, a voice whispered. Let me consume.

Darkness spread, wrapping around oak and vine as it made its way through the forest.

Memories of Yeva and that night swirled in my head.

No more feelings. Numb , it whispered.

Strong hands gripped my shoulders. “Thalia, snap out of it!”

Darkness continued to pour.

I opened my mouth to speak, to fight, but only a gurgled whimper escaped my lips. Death’s caress wrapped around my heart, lugging me deeper into the pool of night.

No! Please, let me go! I screamed at the dark, begging for its release, but it held tight. It tugged me deeper and deeper as night consumed my being. I clawed at the tendrils wrapping around me like vices of Death itself. I had made a mistake.

“Stay with me!” a voice, smooth like honey, shouted as it reverberated through me.

I followed that voice through the thickness of night.

I clawed and clawed.

Darkness gripped tight, but I fought. I wrestled against twilight, my body struggling through tar. It purred its vices at me, but I ignored its call.

I followed the voice screaming out to me?—

It snapped like a broken thread as the darkness sneered, recoiling back into the depths.

You’ll come back. Consume once more , the voice whispered.

My eyes snapped into focus, a rush of nausea emptying upon a pile of leaves. I heaved and heaved the contents of my stomach until my lungs breathed in fresh air.

My hands rose as I flipped them over and over. There was no more darkness pouring from them. Not even a glimmer of black.

Strong hands gripped my face, hauling my eyes to stare into silver. “Gods, you’re okay,” he rasped, his forehead pressing into mine.

My throat was hoarse from the casting I’d engulfed as my forehead pressed back, relishing the heat from his skin.

His eyes swirled with an emotion I didn’t recognize. “You’re—” He swallowed. “You’re back.”

I gave a nod as Death’s nails clawed at the iron door I’d shoved it into. I wasn’t sure how long I could hold it back… if I could hold it back at all.

As the adrenaline slowly dissipated from my veins, I stared at my clenched fingers. Not an ounce of discomfort lingered as if they hadn’t been broken in the first place. My fingers stretched and curled, unable to believe they were fine.

“What was that?” a woman asked, her red hair braided back as she emerged from the tree line.

I reached for the dagger at my thigh. It wasn’t there. I had forgotten I’d tossed it at the man… at the man who lay dead a few stones to my right.

“It’s okay, Thalia,” Ivan said as he wiped red from his lips. “She’s here to help.” He pointed to the blue crest resting on her shirt—the crest of Laias.

“We’re citizens of Laias,” she said, her hands raised in surrender. “Our spies heard the commotion. We came as fast as we could.”

Ivan nodded as his gaze flicked to Fin. “Please help my friend,” he said. “An arrow struck him.”

The woman’s voice rang out as two more people emerged from the tree line. They bolted to Fin in a rush of blue.

“Thank you,” Ivan said, his voice wavering as he glanced at Fin’s still body.

The woman nodded gravely. “It’s the least we can do to help fellow supporters during this harrowing time.”

“You said your spies heard the commotion?” Ivan asked, his eyes snapping to her.

The conversation grew fuzzy as well as the trees swaying back and forth. Why was everything moving?

My hand pressed against my temple as I leaned forward, my knees digging into the wet ground. Roaring filled my ears, louder than any creek.

Consume , that voice whispered. You are cursed. You will ruin us.