Page 84 of Hollowed
Again, again, on restless wings
Willlie atop the pyre.
Slitheringdread coiled in my stomach.Thepoem—the prophecy—I’dfound inAlexander’sjournal, but this one… there was more to this version.AndIdidn’t like what the additional lines seemed to imply.
“I’veseen part of this before,”Iadmitted, my eyes still fixed on the three new verses.Theones that spoke of offerings and ashes and beginning life again, and a pyre.
Priscillalooked up at me, her expression guarded. “Where?”
“Ina book atAlexander’shouse.”Ilifted my eyes to hers. “Whatdo you think it means?”
Shedidn’t answer me, her eyes flicking toHenry.Thatwas all the confirmationIneeded.
Thisprophecy saidIwould have to die.
Iwould willingly give my life toDeath.
Iwas numb.Foronce, no tears burned my throat, no anxiety wrapped around my throat, no fear squeezed my lungs.Iwas simply floating out of my body.Icould hearHenryandPriscillaspeaking, see them pointing at the book and turning the pages, and feel the cool wind through my curls.Butnone of it mattered.
“Ineed some air,”Iwhispered, turning to head out the back door into the courtyard without waiting to see if they’d heard me.
Enteringthe courtyard,Istopped onceI’dreached the middle, tipping my head back to gaze at the gray morning sky.Isucked down heavy breaths, the crisp air sharp against my nostrils and throat.Slowly, the looming claws of panic scratching at my mind receded, andIlowered my chin.
Myfeet carried me to the back wall of the courtyard, the echoes of the screamsI’dheard last night wrapping around my shoulders like a shroud.Sighing,Iturned my back to the brick and slid down, landing in the dirt with a thump that stung my tailbone and had me clenching my teeth at the jolt in my shoulder.
Ideserved the pain.Peoplehad died because of me last night.PeopleIcould have saved hadIjust given myself over.
Thenumbness was a solace, an icy balm that frosted over my soul.Iwas nothing.Ifeltnothing.Nothingbut emptiness.Openingmy palm,Isummoned a small ball of flames into my hand, watching it flicker across my skin.
Henryhad promisedI’dnever be alone, but promises were the sweetest of lies.Iwas alone, alone in the hell my parents had forged.Therewas no escape for me.
Closingmy palm around the dancing ball of fire,Isnuffed it out, ignoring the sharp tug as my curls caught on the brick behind me.
Iwas uncertain how longI’dsat there, staring at the dirt, blank and empty.Mylegs had long ago lost feeling in them, heavy stumpsIcould see but not feel attached to my body.Thoughthey were tucked beneath me,Icouldn’t be bothered to move.
Voicesdrifted in over the brick wall, the wind carrying their words to me.
“Shewent quickly, butIsimply cannot bear…” the woman’s voice faded into sobs.
“Iknow.”Theanswering woman’s voice had my head snapping up.Ciara’smother.Thewoman rarely left her home, so if she was out now,Ineeded to hear what she had to say.Iturned my left ear up, and the gods must have decided to punish me, because every word she spoke was clear as day. “I’velost my son, and now my daughter.AndKatrinaVanTasselis the cause of it all.Shehas brought death upon this town.”
“Sheis a monster,” the woman agreed, her words devolving into keening sobs.
“Sheis,”Ciara’smother said, their voices beginning to fade as they passed the courtyard. “Whateverfate awaits her will be well deserved.”
Myheart fractured, the shards piercing the fabric of my soul, leaving behind gaping, jagged holes.Despairswept in, filling the holes like a raging current seeking gaps on the coast.
Standing,Iignored the needle-sharp pain racing through my legs, forcing them to move despite still not being able to feel them.Ineeded to getAlexanderback.Hecould fix this.Hecould save these people and give them back hope and safety.
Adelaideand my mother had been right all along.AndSleepyHollowneeded their protector, not their destroyer.
Castinga last glance back at the bookstore,Ireached up to rub at my necklace.Takingit off,Iset it on the ground.Henrywould find it, and hopefully, he would know what it meant.Iloved him dearly, and nowIwould prove it.Iwould do whatever it took to ensure his safety.
Tearsclogged my throat asIlooked at the red crystal shining in the near midday sun.Isqueezed my eyes shut, forcing the tears back asIturned and left the courtyard, turning my path toward the cemetery.
Itwas time to summonDeath.Itwas time for a trade.
Thirty-Nine