Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,62

much distance between us as possible. Because it was obvious now that Liam didn’t have feelings for me. In fact, I wasn’t sure if he even had genuine feelings. He just used me like a tool.

“You took what I would have freely given. Used my feelings as a weapon. You’re worse than the men at the brothel. Even Devin didn’t stoop so low.”

Liam paled, and I watched as my words shattered his stony exterior. I wanted to see him crack, and he did. His hands balled into white-knuckled fists. The veins in his neck pulsed, and he stood up so fast, he smashed his head into the ceiling, causing the stucco to crack and fall all over the floor. He spun and ducked under the low doorframe, slamming the door so hard that the latch fell off onto the wooden slat floor.

I picked up the lock and held it, knowing that it was the symbol of what was left of our friendship. Broken.

Chapter Seventeen

The next morning, I came downstairs and was met with a somber gathering. Anna had her arms wrapped around her younger sister, Dana, who was crying into her older sister’s shoulder.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

Anna wiped at the tears on Dana’s face and sent her into the kitchen. Her own face paled, and she wrung her hands. “The blight has reached Birchwood. It’s completely covered in fog, and a pack of cù sìth have been sighted near the town.” She shook her head, her eyes glassy. Her bottom lip quivered. “My aunt lives there, and my cousins. Do you think they’re alright?”

I held back my surprise at the news.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine,” I said. “We will find a way to stop it.”

Liam came down the stairs, our eyes met, and he looked away. The muscle in his jaw tensed, and I could see the stress and guilt that was eating away at him.

Anna’s face momentarily brightened before she worried. “Oh no, Miss, you shouldn’t leave. It’ll be dangerous.” She reached for my hands, but I quickly lifted them out of her reach.

“Don’t worry. We’ll figure out a way to help everyone.”

Devin came in through the front door, his normally jovial face was grim. “We’re ready, Commander.”

“Let’s go.” Liam gestured with his chin, and I knew it was time.

Anna flung her arms around me, and I let myself be comforted by her hug. It reminded me of my sisters, and it was because of Anna’s family that I knew I would have to overcome my obstacles and fight the blight.

When I tried to leave the inn, Liam blocked my way.

“Aura, please reconsider staying behind. We don’t know what we are facing, and without your magic, I—you—,” he struggled to voice his concerns.

My hands balled into angry fists as I pushed past him and headed outside. Devin had already prepared my horse, and because he knew how sore I was, I allowed him to help me on to Damsel.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liam’s frustration at his inability to intimidate me into staying. He flicked his reins, and his horse took off at a gallop. The rest of his troops followed swiftly behind. Without another word, I spurred my horse on and took off after the cloud of dust left by the troops. We rode at breakneck speed for hours, and only slowed when the terrain became too dangerous as we climbed up a great hill and looked out at the valley below. Liam stopped, and I pulled up beside him.

I gasped at the horror of what I saw below. In the far distance was the forlorn silhouette of a castle sitting above a little town. But to the west, a dark sky loomed, and the land was covered by a thick fog.

“Is that where we’re going?” I asked, seeing Liam’s hesitation.

He looked to the palace and back to the ominous fog, studying the layout of the woods to the west. “Yes, I’m supposed to take you through Somnielle to the palace.” He pointed toward the town, then to the castle built high on a hill. Below it, a forest and steep cliffs surrounded the structure.

A faint hum started in my pocket, and I reached into my cloak to pull out the spindle that Oma had given me. The wood was warm in my hand, and I could feel it pulse softly in my fingers, the golden thread flickering softly. I lifted it in the air, letting my arm swing back and forth like