up at him, seeming not to focus on him for a moment before a small smile curved her full lips.
"Let your father know it's safe."
She nodded before taking off down the path, the bow bouncing against her back as she ran.
Chapter 18
Aria stood in the shadows, a lump in her throat as she slipped deeper into the hollows of the cave. Braith spoke with a commanding, self assured tone to the group that would soon become an army. The cave was unnervingly silent considering the amount of bodies it now housed as they listened raptly to him. He laid out his plans, speaking of his new government with such passion that it brought tears to her eyes.
Gideon had said that the king had a way of making people believe him, Braith seemed to have inherited that charismatic ability too as he roused the crowd, garnering cheers from them as well as devoted agreement for the cause. He encouraged and excited his army in preparation for the coming war.
She refused to look at Jack. She could feel his eyes from across the cave as she slid further into the tunnel behind her. She was proud of Braith, so proud in fact that she could barely breathe through the emotion rippling through her. That same pride was at war with the feeling of being trapped that she constantly felt now.
She turned away, needing some time to herself. She moved slowly through the dark cave, navigating the turns with ease. She started to run faster and faster, pounding through the dark tunnels as she was consumed with the need to be free.
Her lungs were burning and her legs were tired but she continued to run toward the promise of fresh air. She burst free, nearly falling to the ground as she inhaled heaping gulps of air. She made it to a tree, collapsing against its trunk as she slid silently to the ground.
She drew her knees against her chest and hugged them. Shadows from the tree limbs played over the ground, the crickets chirruped and the frogs called to each other. What were usually soothing sounds, now offered her nothing.
She saw the figures emerging from the cave before they stepped into the moonlight. Having spent her entire life with them she'd know Daniels's assured gate and William's slight swagger anywhere. She also recognized the sadness that rounded both their shoulders in much the same way. They sat on each side of her and leaned against the tree.
"They really admire him," Daniel said after a period of silence.
"They do," she agreed.
"Jack spoke with us," William told her.
"I figured he would."
William's hand wrapped around hers, he squeezed it briefly before releasing her. "I understand where Jack is coming from. The vampire race, even if we are finally all united, is far different from ours, but you're a strong person Aria, they may accept you."
"Do you honestly believe that?"
He started to respond and then shook his head. She knew he wanted to make her feel better, wanted to give her flowery promises, maybe even wanted to believe them himself, but he wouldn't lie to her. "No."
"I didn't think so."
"I was on board with this. I thought it was better if you were separated anyway." Daniel squeezed her shoulder as she glared at him. "You're seventeen years old Aria, you've never been a child, but you're young and he's... Well he's far more advanced than you, he's a vampire and your worlds are so completely different that I saw only grief in your future. I thought it would be best if you returned to a more normal life, with people your own age and your own kind. I thought it would be best for the two of you."
"And now?" William prodded before Aria could.
"And now I don't think there's any chance that what Jack proposes will work out. Even he is somehow unable to track you through your blood, Braith is not going to let you go, not unless you ask him to, and even then I don't think it will be a good situation. It was bad enough when you first escaped the palace, you were lost and heartbroken. The two of you are closer now, your bond has grown and strengthened. I've never seen anything like it. If Jack is right then you know the choice you have to make, the one that you've already made. But if Jack is wrong it's going to be bad Aria, very bad, and you know that."
"What would