The Fall Of Snow: Guard Your Heart

35. Thirty-Five

Thirty-Five

Strike First

A s soon as we enter the dining room, my nose detects the sickening scent of charred flesh. The first thing I see is Huck's frame in the darkness. His mountainous stature stands with his back to us. Then my eyes drop to what lies beneath him—a lifeless figure piled on the ground. I will myself to not react to the smell of a fresh kill, to not allow my eyes to adjust to the darkness, to the burned skin of this corpse. I don't want to see whatever Huck did to the slimy sad excuse of a human. He turns to us as we approach, sheathing his bloodied blades, and stalks towards me.

I can see the anger replace itself with something else as he takes each step toward me. Heat ripples off of him in waves. His fingers lace through my hair as he pulls me into his chest, sliding his hands around me. I let silent tears drop onto his leather vest as he inhales a deep breath at the top of my head. This one moment. He is allowing us this one moment before we plow ahead into whatever awaits. And Archer waits silently as if he knows we need it. As if his years have taught him as much.

"I'm so sorry, Snow," Huck mumbles into my hair. I snake my hand up his neck.

"I'm okay. Despite popular belief, I am not as delicate as a snowflake." He chuckles at my comment, finding the humor within.

"No. You are more like a sharp impaling icicle. Beautiful and strong, ready to strike."

We gather ourselves before heading out again, ready to circle back with the others. We walk straight ahead towards the front entrance and see that the guards there are slumped to the ground, either unconscious or dead. I can't be sure from the distance or the darkness, but that means that Whip, Terran, and Coy have moved on to another part of the manor.

"Should I check the grounds out front?" Archer suggests, his eyes scanning the area through the front doors of the entrance.

"Yeah, make sure no guards linger. If you find the others, bring them back in. We're gonna need all hands once we venture to the upper levels." Archer nods once before silently slinking out through the front, like a shadow in the night.

How many times have I walked past those front doors in the night, swearing that I saw something move just outside the entrance? How many times did I fear a monster creeping into our home?

If only I knew then that the evil lived within.

Huck and I continue down the opposite corridor searching for the others, or my mother, whichever comes first. But I have a feeling I know exactly where she lingers. I have a feeling she knows I'm here and waits for only me.

I hesitate to tell Huck my theory for reasons I can't break apart. Is it because I want to deliver the final blow? Surely he would grant me that. Is it because I think some part of me won't be able to handle it if he ends her? Is it because I want to give her one final chance to prove she loves me after all? Maybe she wants to talk, tell me something after all this time that will explain away her actions? I can't be sure. But the feeling is there all the same, and it sits within me like a jagged pebble, scratching and grating with every move I make.

We find the others exiting the guest rooms on the first floor, dark speckles of blood spattering their bodies, but whole nonetheless.

"You two good?" Huck circles the area, not leaving any room for someone to attack.

"Fine, Captain." Aspen's eyes are shadowed with dark circles, marking his body's need for sleep. But he knows it won't come soon. Tonight will be a long one, and hopefully, by morning, the sun will rise to a whole new world, a world a little less wicked.

"Except for the sorry excuses for guards this place has," Bear pipes in, adjusting his armor. Under normal circumstances, these guards would probably suffice for any burglar or rogue intruder. But when put up against an Arion Warrior, these guards don't stand a chance. My mother probably didn't account for the type of company I'd be keeping when hiring extra guards in anticipation of my return. Enhancing their skills may be the only thing that gives them a fighting chance against Arion Warriors.

"Archer's out searching the entrance for the others. He'll be back once he finds them." Huck explains as we follow him ahead, making our way back down the corridor to the center of the manor, where another elaborate wrought iron chandelier hangs in suspension, jeweled with rubies that paint the walls red with the light shining through.

There are several staircases throughout the manor, including the spiral one that leads into the cellar, but we ascend the grand staircase to the right of the entrance, and my feet sink into the plush velvet lining with each step, reminding me of the fresh moss near the creek. My, how my life has taken an entire turnaround.

Huck hits the stair that constantly creeks before I can warn him and we all stop at once, waiting for any consequences. The guards know we’re here, but they think we’re all on the first floor with the others. They don’t know some of us have broken away from the group. When none come, we continue on. We nearly made it to the landing when a crash echoes from downstairs. Our heads snap to Huck, waiting for instruction as my pulse races.

"Go. See if it's us or them. Strike first, ask questions later." The two nod before descending the stairs .

"You okay?" Huck speaks to me now. He must detect the concern on my face. If one of the others is harmed, I will never forgive myself. I nod anyway, not wanting to speak my fears aloud.

"Yeah, I'm good." As the others leave us, Huck nods ahead and we continue onto the upper level.

Most of the rooms up here are sleeping chambers, bathing rooms, and an open sitting area at its heart. Then there's the occasional closet or cleaning room, a steam room, and a nursery that hasn't been used since I occupied it. We check every door we come across, not wanting to miss a beat, leaving no stone unturned.

Huck nearly jumps out of his skin when Ruby stalks down the hall, her tiny black paws silent as she prowls down the runner. When she sees me, she hurries over, brushing up against my leg, and I take a moment to scratch behind her ears, missing her soft snuggles. The physical contact causes my throat to swell with emotion. I've missed her. I found her in the orchard one spring, trying to pounce a field mouse, her wispy kitten fur stuck out in every direction. I hid her in my room for weeks before anyone discovered my new roommate. I hated leaving her here alone when I left the manor. When I look at Huck, I suppress a chuckle as his eyes bug out watching me.

"It's just a cat," I whisper.

"Yeah. I can see that now." Huck brushes his hand along her spine after she gives him the okay, lifting her bottom impossibly high into the air before slinking down the stairs behind us.

In a flash of darkness, a figure descends upon us before I can even get my dagger from my side. My eyes finally register the movement as a guard charges at us like a silent shadow. Huck shields me, his broad frame covering me completely. My power roils beneath my skin, begging to be let free, but before I have a chance to do much of anything Huck throws a small dagger down the hall. It disappears into the figure, and he drops to his knees, only to reveal another figure just behind him. The guard stops for a moment before continuing towards us. Huck wastes no time charging as the tension in my chest releases slightly.

My vision is obscured when a hand curls over my face, the leather glove pressing hard against my mouth and nose, a thumb covering my eyes. Panic floods my every sense as I'm dragged off my feet.

I kick and fight against the strength of the guard as Huck fights two more. I try to scream for him, but can barely manage a sound with my airways clumsily cut off. With each step I get a small gasp of air in—a small slip of noise escaping my lips. My panic surges further when my vision blurs and my chest begins to burn for air. I force myself to focus as power floods to my fingertips and I release it into the guard’s exposed forearm. Huck's form is a blurred figment in my peripherals.

The guard screams as he releases me from his grip, but I hold on tight, letting my power's greed take hold. Now, instead of trying to hold me tight against his body, the guard is desperate to get away, pulling his arms from my lethal grasp.

"You'll be sure to never lay a hand on me again." With my eyes aglow, I stare into the guard’s sorry face, memorizing his anguish before releasing him completely. He crumples to the ground just as Huck steps beside me, silent save for his panting breaths. I put the guard out of his misery too soon, stabbing the blade through his throat, severing his windpipe, and his spine.

My body shakes uncontrollably with adrenaline, the edges of my vision glowing from my irises.

"Impaling icicle, indeed." Huck's heat seeps into me as I catch my body gravitating towards his, taking in his scent. My nerves calm.

Movement catches my eye at the base of the stairs and my heart stops dead in anticipation, but as she climbs each step the panic melts away as I see Whip come into view.

"Hey," she greets us, breathless. Despite being by herself, she shows no signs of distress.

"The others?" Huck asks the question circling my thoughts.

"Coy's assisting the staff. They're understandably worked up. Terran's helping Archer tie up a few unconscious guards to the lampposts out front."

"Good. We're checking each door on this level before heading to Evangeline's chambers." My stomach clenches at Huck's words, not understanding the urgency I feel to enter her rooms alone. I say nothing as we begin our search again.

When two guards come running down the dimly lit hall, we flush ourselves against the wall before slinking behind a cutout structure next to the tapestry of a beautiful apple tree. I remember marveling at it growing up, wondering how many years it has been in our family, and how long it took to create.

When my foot hits the corner of the bust of my ancestor, the guards stop at the subtle thunk and my heart leaps to my throat. We stand in silence, covered by the shadows, waiting for the guards to move on, begging them to search no further. But just then, Ruby returns, sniffing along the hall, brushing her body against our legs, and that's when I feel it, like a peek into the future a moment before it happens. I can practically see Whip's face as she struggles to suppress a sneeze. Of course she's allergic to cats. She's allergic to nearly everything in the land.

Please don't sneeze, please don't sneeze, please don't—

The sound shatters our hidden bubble, revealing our presence. Huck breaks into the light first, barreling into the first guard. As Whip and I emerge ready to strike, we see more guards running from down the hall. Huck disarms the first guard within seconds as Whip and I battle the others. The sound of heaving breaths, grunts, and the sing of metal on metal fills the air, only attracting more attention, surely alerting the other guards to our location. Hopefully alerting our warriors to come too.

If my mother wasn’t aware of our arrival, she certainly is now.

My muscles ache as I counter each move of the guards, striking quick and sure, just as Huck taught me. There is no time to think of anything else but this. Pivot, strike, breathe. Duck, strike, breathe. No time to think of Huck or Whip, or my mother, or the others. Only this. Only the swing of my blade as I battle for my life.

Just when I think my arms might give out, Coy and Archer appear with their weapons at the ready. Coy shoots an arrow through the back of my assailant's throat and the tip looks me in the eye, bloodied and menacing.

"Thank you." I breathe amongst the chaos.

"My pleasure," Coy whispers as he knocks another one and lets it fly down the hall at an approaching guard.

Just when I think we might have a handle on the onslaught of ill-prepared guards, more come barreling down the far end of the hall. Others up the stairs. Their movements are quick—too quick. Their speed is unnatural, further confirming my earlier suspicions. They've been altered. My mother planned our arrival quite well it seems. I can't be sure what else she has fuzed these guards with, but I'm not as naive as to think heightened speed is where she stopped.

I turn to tell the others, but there's no time. The guards are on us in a heartbeat, swords drawn and slicing through the air. The group reacts instantly, sharpening their moves, and upping their game. There is no need for me to tell them the guards have been fuzed with magic. The warriors know, and they've reacted accordingly. They've been trained to meet their match and conquer. I’m sure they’ve battled others touched by the Mother with power, but these guards aren't anything like they've battled before. These guards are of a different nature now, their bodies enhanced in more ways than one.

A small flash sparks at the corner of my eye and I turn to see Huck's hands engulfed in flames, the fire licking up his arms. I watch in amazement as he grows the flames into something bigger—angrier. He shoots them at the oncoming guards barreling up the staircase while the others and I fight against the guards on the second level. My skin pricks with sweat as Huck continues to grow his flames, using them to slow the guards. Between jabs and swings, I see a few guards tumble into one another down the flight of stairs after connecting with the flames, not yet acquainted with the unnatural speed of their bodies.

As more guards fly down the hall in both directions, panic settles deep inside my chest. Even with my adrenaline running on high, I can still feel the tightness in my lungs. I dodge and strike as best I can, but my arms are exhausted, unable to execute that quick power I typically have when delivering a blow.

"Snow!" I hear Coy's voice shout over the chaos when I turn to see a silver blade coming at me. I shield my face with my arm and feel the sharp sting of the sword split open my skin. I hiss as I dodge the guard’s second attempt at beheading me and realize I am out of my element. Why didn't I fuze myself with extreme speed or strength? Or invisibility?

All these months of practicing my magic, I never thought to attempt to fuze myself without the use of an apple. With the thought fresh in my mind, when the guard attacks again I get close enough to touch his arm, praying I can fuze past his armor, I push my power through like a bolt of lightning and the guard drops to the floor. I've paralyzed him temporarily. His eyes roam in panic as his eyes peer down at his limp body, and a small smile creeps onto my face. When he looks back to me, his eyes widen in fear, no doubt detecting the bronze glow glaring back at him.

I don't have time to revel in my small victory as more guards approach so I step over him and continue the battle. It is clear we are losing ground and are sorely outnumbered. Coy and Archer are a flurry of movements as they take on the guards and I see our future unfold in my mind. We are going to lose. My heart plummets as I look to Huck. To my surprise, he's built an entire wall of fire blocking off the oncoming guards from the lower level and begins to stretch it to the east side of the hall. I paralyze any guard that I can get close enough to touch while using my blade when I can't. As the guards finally begin to dwindle, my spirits brighten.

The thought creeps in before I can stop it. This is it. This is my chance to head to my mother's chambers, just down the hall and to the left. I hesitate, looking around at the scene before me. The warriors are handling their own and I find my feet creeping away, down the hallway.

With each step, my body vibrates with anticipation—with fear. My mother's piercing eyes fill my mind, never changing over the years except for the intent behind them. My earliest memory of her is one of pride. She would flaunt me off to patrons and courtiers, and go on and on about how special I was. She would take care of each detail of my hair—my outfit. She would prop me up like a prized pig.

Until she stopped seeing me as her own flesh and blood and instead recognized me as a threat—as something that was shadowing her. She stopped seeing me as her kin and began seeing me as her competition. As an enemy.

I never wanted that. I never wanted to be stronger than her or more powerful than her. I just wanted her. I just wanted a mother with unconditional love. I wanted a love that knew no bounds, a love without fear .

A love that ignited with Huck.

I swallow my fear and continue the steps along the worn plush runner. My hands are nearly numb from exhaustion and my eyes burn from the smoke and flame. Sweat clings to me and my quiver shifts with each step in cadence with my own heartbeat. But still, I persist.

With one step at a time, I pass the flickering lanterns lining the endless hall.

Towards my mother.

Towards my fate.