Page 110 of Dawn of Hope

My throat burns and my voice breaks as I let out a scream, my worst fears crashing down over me.

They have him.

The Castaways took him.

Gods only knew what they were doing to him or how they were treating him. Did Weston’s brainwashing start right away? Would Fin even want to come back with me if I tried to rescue him? How would I find him when we have no idea where the Castaways are hiding?

My Castaway. I need to find him.

NotmyCastaway.

If he had any decency like he did when he saved me, he would tell me where Fin was, or let me help him. I need to try.

I pull myself to my feet, throwing the broken bow back down into the sand. My feet move with a mind of their own, carrying me off the beach and back up to the paths.

I run as fast as my legs will take me, jumping past obstacles, stumbling over the storm roughed ground. Nothing is going to stop me. Not the scrapes and mud, not the torrents of water pouring from the sky. I run and run until I reach the mountain.

I have no fear as I approach the bridge. There is nothing for the sirens to prey on this time. Instead, I let my anger consume me and fuel my plan. Emotions be damned. I am going to let them guide me this time.

There is no reasoning with the Castaways, no strategy to be played. Emotion is all I have, and I am going to use it.

I climb down the rock between the falls as fast as I can without slipping until I hit the solid ground. I slip between the falls and the rock wall, not caring if I touch the water this time. I am still drenched, soaked from the storm, and too focused on my goal to care about its proximity.

I step into the dim cave and look around.

I am alone. He isn’t here.

Somehow he found me before, so there is nothing to say he won’t again. I round the corner where he had disappeared before and try the door, but the solid stone wall doesn’t budge.

I walk back out toward the falls, and pull off my bow and quiver, so I’m ready to use it at a short distance if I need to. I lean against the wall not far from the opening and wait. No one can sneak up on me. I won’t be taken off guard.

I stand watching the entrance, letting my anger stew.

I don’t care how long it takes.

I will wait.

And then I will get Fin back.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

“Iassume you’re waiting for me?”

I whip around at the deep voice behind me. He must have come in through the wall in the stone. He leans against the back of the cave, arms folded across his chest. I can actually see him now that I am not gasping for air after almost drowning.

He is tall, much taller than me, wearing clothes similar to ours, but in darker tones. He still wears the belt and sword, but today he has a leather vest strapped around his chest holding a variety of blades. His dark brown hair is tousled on the top, as if he has just woken up, but he isn’t soaked to the bone like I am.

How did he get through the storm?

It doesn’t matter. What matters is that he is here. He found me. I don’t know how he knew, but he did.

I ignore my questions and focus on what is important.

Fin.

I push off the wall and square my body to him, crossing my arms to mimic his stance. The space between us is a chasm, thick with tension.

“How did you know?” I snap at him.