Hissing voices filled Elias’s ears as he slept. He furrowed his brow and shook his head, mumbling. “No…”

  Elias stood in a dark room with a hard stone floor, with a singular light shining down on him. He trembled and looked around. Seven hooded figures in navy-blue robes stood at the edge of the light, staring at him. Their faces were hidden, and their arms tucked neatly into the sleeves of the navy-blue robes.

  Elias swallowed and wiped clammy hands on his pants as he felt their stares boring into him. “Hello?” he hesitantly called out. “Brother Stephen?” His eyes darted from one figure to another. “Brother John?”

  No one answered.

  He trembled and spun around as the feeling of dread and judgment steadily grew in his mind. “Brother Carter? Brother Joshua… Someone! Please answer me!”

  One hooded brother leaned into his neighbor and started whispering in his ear. The neighbor turned and began whispering in another’s ear, until the room was filled with their echoing whispers like hissing snakes.

  “What’s going on?” Elias demanded as shameful heat coursed through him, burning his ears, but no one would look at him. “Answer me!”

  Finally, one brother looked up and silently pointed to the floor. Elias looked down and stumbled back. A corpse lay on the floor in a pool of blood. Elias’s stomach lurched and raised a hand to his mouth when he caught the scent of sharp iron. He pulled his hands back to see them covered in wine-red blood.

  The dark blood glistened in the eerie light. Then Elias watched in horror, as it slowly seeped into his hands as though they were drinking it up. Sharp fear flooded him as his left hand began to darken with each drop of blood soaked into him, until cursed blight spread from his fingertips and crawled up his arm.

  “Blessed are the pure-hearted,” a familiar voice said. “For Crim shall draw near to them.” Elias’s stomach lurched as the voice echoed out; His head snapped up to an empty space in the circle. He trembled as Father Verdas slowly stepped into view. “But the wicked shall be marked and driven his sight.’”

  Elias winced as the blight crept past his left elbow. “Father…” he began, but Father Verdas silenced him with a glare.

  “Look how low you’ve come,” he scolded. The biting remark stung, and Elias cowed under his glare. “I thought I raised you better than this.”

  “I can explain—”

  “Explain?” Father Verdas’s voice roared in his ears. “How can you explain this?” He jabbed a finger at him.

  A brilliant wreath of fire erupted behind Father Verdas. Terror surged through Elias, but his feet were stuck fast to the ground. He stared, trembling, as a lidless golden eye opened in the center of the flames and stared at Elias. It blinked, and reflected in the holy eye, Elias saw a withered body in a stained white habit, staring back at him.

  The eye said nothing, but an overwhelming panic flooded Elias. He turned away and ran into the dark, Father Verdas's voice echoing in his ears, “The wicked shall be marked and driven from his sight.”

  Marked.

  Driven.

  Cursed.

  Damned.

  Elias’s eyes snapped open. He clenched his sweat-stained blankets as a broken cry escaped his lips. Beside him, Master Seth bolted upright, whipping a dagger from its sheath. Elias froze and watched Master Seth as he panted and slowly took in his surroundings, before looking over his shoulder at Elias.

  He hung his head and sighed, then sheathed his dagger and laid it beside him. “Sorry… did I wake you?”

  Elias shook his head. “No, sir,” he answered with a quiet strained voice.

  Master Seth rubbed his eyes, then frowned at Elias. “What’s wrong? You sound scared.”

  Elias took a shuddering breath. “Nothing. Just a bad dream, sir…” He closed his eyes, but images from his dream flashed back into his mind. Elias shuddered again and tried to turn over, but his body was heavy, locking him on his back.

  Master Seth lay down again and faced Elias. “Are you okay?”

  Elias swallowed and stared at the ceiling for a long moment, then shook his head.

  “What’s going on?”

  A lump rose in Elias’s throat, and he raised his wrapped arm and stared at it. “Master… do you think that Father Verdas actually contained the curse?”

  Master Seth frowned. “I think so, unless he lied. Why?”

  Elias shook. “Do you think that maybe some slipped through? Or maybe my hand does things on its own? What if it’s not strong enough and whatever barrier Father Verdas put in place breaks and—”

  Master Seth put a hand on Elias’s shoulder. “Slow down, you’re letting your mind get away from you.”

  Elias swallowed and stared at the back of his wrapped hand. “But what if I’m not?”

  “Then we’ll worry about it then.”

  Elias closed his eyes and let his arm drape over his face. Crim’s golden eye blinked at him. He shuddered and opened his eyes again.

  “Master?”

  “Hmm?”

  Elias stared at the ceiling. “Do you think…” The words hung on his lips, and he was afraid to say them. “You think Crim is really as good as he says he is?”

  Master Seth frowned. “What do you mean?”

  Elias chewed his cheek. “I was always taught that Crim is good, compassionate, and merciful. That he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and has a plan for everything. But… do you think he actually does?”

  Master Seth rolled to his back and joined Elias in looking up at the ceiling. He screwed up his face, thinking. “I think so,” he finally said. “I asked him to keep you and Gloria safe on the mountain, and you’re here… I’d say that counts for something, doesn’t it?”

  Elias laughed dryly. “Safe,” he murmured and gripped the edge of his blanket. “You know six grown men beat me there, right? If Shaman Fen hadn’t stopped them, I might not have made it back.”

  Master Seth’s jaw tightened. “I knew they hurt you. I didn’t know the details.”

  Elias zeroed in on a knot in the boards above him. “I prayed,” he said, his throat tightening. “I recited scripture while they hit me. I begged him to save me, and he just let it happen.” He turned his head slightly towards Master Seth. “How is that good?”

  Master Seth was silent.

  Elias stared at his wrapped hand again. “Maybe I got it all wrong. Maybe we’re all just toys to him…”

  Master Seth shifted uncomfortably. He opened his mouth to speak but then closed his mouth and furrowed his brow at the ceiling. “I don’t think that’s right.”

  “How do you know?”

  Master Seth shrugged a little. “Just a feeling.”

  Elias pursed his lips. That’s not good enough…

  Master Seth was silent for a moment, then he sighed and gave Elias a little nudge. “Get some rest. We’ve got a long trip tomorrow.”

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  Elias nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  Master Seth turned over and pulled his blanket over his shoulder again. A few moments later he was asleep, but Elias lay awake, staring up at the ceiling—too much was going through his head.

  From the edges of his mind, he faintly heard The Lady whisper. What truth will you believe?

  Elias turned away from Master Seth and pulled his own blanket over him. I don’t know…

  The setting sun shone in Gloria’s eyes as they walked along the western road. She squinted against the sun, then pulled a strand of hair from her mouth before looking over her shoulder at the eastern horizon. William’s farm had long disappeared, leaving a bittersweet feeling in Gloria’s gut.

  “Have everything you need?” Kayla had asked when they prepared to leave that morning.

  Gloria glanced at Seth and Elias, then nodded. “I think so. Food, water, firewood...” She looked back at Kayla. “Thank you, you and your family has always been so kind to us.”

  Kayla smiled. “Well, Crim says: ‘When you feed the stranger and clothe the naked you honor my name.’”

  From the corner of Gloria’s eye, Elias shuffled uncomfortably.

  “Will we see you again?”

  Gloria looked back at the children who watched her with bated breath. Her heart caught as she stared into their hopeful eyes—they reminded her of her siblings. Gloria blinked back a few tears and shook her head. “I’m afraid not,” she answered sadly. “But I won’t forget you.”

  The children’s faces fell, and they started to protest, but Kayla shook her head at them before turning a bittersweet smile on Gloria and Seth. “Sometimes that’s life, children.”

  William nodded beside her. “Indeed, sometimes you’re in their life for years and sometimes it’s only for a moment.”

  Seth held out a hand to William. “I will repay your kindness one day.”

  The farmer smiled and took Seth’s hand. “There’s no need.”

  “I will.”

  Kayla sighed and pulled Gloria into an embrace. “I’m going to miss you, my dear,” she whispered.

  “I’ll miss you too,” Gloria answered.

  “Remember what I said last night.” Gloria’s ears burned and her eyes flicked toward Seth. “He’s a good man.” The old woman pulled away and met Gloria’s eyes. “The past doesn’t have to define the present.”

  Gloria nodded slowly. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Kayla squeezed her shoulders. “Take care, dear.” Then she stepped back next to her husband and waved as they headed down the drive and onto the western road.

  “Master!” Elias called, bringing Gloria back to the present. “I see a town up ahead! Is that where we’re going to stay the night?”

  Fear raced through Gloria’s veins. She looked back and saw Northhorn materialize on the horizon. We can’t go back! She shot a look at Seth. He’d be lynched!

  Seth’s face went pale, and he shook his head. “No. We can’t stay there. That’s Northhorn.”

  Elias looked back at the town. “Oh… that’s where…?”

  Seth nodded. “We’ll need to go around; going through would just be asking for trouble.”

  Gloria stared at the looming shape of Northhorn. She faintly heard Seth say something, but terrifying thoughts of Father and the townsfolk rose in her mind. She imagined Father holding her tight as the townsfolk dragged Seth and Elias through the streets. She shuddered as she pictured being tossed into the kitchen and Father slamming the door shut. “Now that you’re back,” he said, stalking towards her, “it’s time for a lesson you won’t soon forget!”

  “Gloria?”

  A hand touched Gloria’s arm and she flinched. She gasped and looked up at Elias who eyed her worriedly. “Are you alright? You looked like you were miles away.”

  Gloria shook herself and nodded slowly. “I’m… I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” She looked up at Seth who stepped towards her. “You said something. What was it?”

  Seth furrowed his brows at her for a moment, then shook his head before pointing to the grass. “I said, ‘Let’s stay here until it gets dark, then pass around Northhorn.’ Lower our chances of getting caught. Are you willing to make a clearing for us?”

  Gloria glanced at Northhorn then back to Seth before nodding. “I can do that.”

  She moved past Seth and reached out to the grass. Please move, grass; we need a place to rest. The grass rustled and quietly parted before her. She stepped into the clearing that began to form and slowly sank down before drawing her knees to her chest, the ghosts of her vivid vision clinging to the edges of her mind.

  Seth and Elias followed after her. The grass closed seamlessly behind them until they reached the snug little clearing. Elias dumped his bag on the ground, then rested his head on his bag with a sigh. Seth stood a moment longer, staring out towards Northhorn, before eventually sitting across from Gloria and resting his head on his hands.

  “I’m going to take a nap,” Elias murmured his eyes closed. “Will someone wake me?”

  Gloria nodded. “We’ll wake you.”

  Elias gave another sigh, then drifted off to sleep.

  The clearing went quiet except for Elias’s soft snores. Gloria gripped herself tight and anxiously glanced around her. The grass rustled in a soft breeze and the sky slowly turned from pale yellow to golden orange. The dirt beneath her sagged a little and cold earth began to seep into her body.

  She glanced at Seth. He happened to look up and meet her eyes. Gloria’s heart skipped a beat as Kayla’s words echoed in her mind.

  “His love is ripe now—are you going to leave it to rot on the tree?”

  Seth gave her a small tight smile before his eyes flicked back to the ground.

  Gloria shifted and looked towards Northhorn, memories washing over her. It felt like it’d been an eternity since she’d been here. How much has changed? she thought, watching the tips of the waving grass.

  She laughed a little under her breath as she remembered her little schemes to get close to Seth. The excuses she would make to Shareen to be near him, if only for a moment. Daydreaming, hoping, that one day he’d see her.

  How ironic, she thought, pushing back a few curls. I’ve spent so long trying to get his attention, but now that I have it, I’m terrified.

  Seth glanced over his shoulder and shuddered. Then he curled up and gripped his knees tight as his face began to pale.

  Gloria furrowed her brow at him. “Are you alright?”

  Seth’s head shot up and he looked wide-eyed at her. “What? Oh… yeah… I’ll be fine.” But he glanced over his shoulder towards Northhorn again before hunching over burying his face in his knees.

  Gloria crawled over and sat beside him. “You’re thinking about Northhorn too, aren’t you?” she murmured.

  Seth curled further into himself and nodded. “I can’t help but remember that night… the Maydance. The night I…” he trailed off. “I didn’t think it would be so hard to pass by here.”

  Memories of that dreaded night crept into Gloria’s mind. She could still remember the sheer terror she felt when she heard the sickening squelch each time the assassin stabbed Seth. Or when she saw Seth’s body convulse in agony, how his eyes went wide with pain and strangled gasps left him as he tried to fend off the attacks.

  She shuddered and curled up next to Seth. “Me too…” she muttered.

  There was a long silence as both Gloria and Seth wandered through their own thoughts, reliving both horrid and gentle memories. A few birds flew by, looking for a place to sleep for the night and the sky grew darker.

  “Gloria?”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you ever regret coming with me?”

  Gloria looked at Seth. He flicked his eyes towards her, his brow knit in worry. “I put you through so much…” His body seemed to sag. “I know you said you wanted to come home with me, but now that we’re back here…” Seth glanced at her again, regret forming in his eyes. “If you could go back, would you still come with me?”

  More memories flooded Gloria’s mind, and her heart began to race. She shrank back a little and her eyes started to glaze over as the screaming and hideous cackling echoed in her mind, then Kayla’s words rose above the clamor and whispered in her ear.

  “If you love him, then you need to be willing to be vulnerable with him.”

  The ugly voice snorted. Do you remember what she said about Kayla? ‘The old crone who only knew Seth for a day.’ Why are you taking wisdom from a woman who hardly even knows you?

  Gloria glanced at Seth who looked away shame-faced at her silence. “I see,” he whispered. His eyes began to glaze over as he withdrew into himself, slowly becoming lost in distant thoughts.

  There was a twang in her heart when she saw his eyes. She felt as though she’d seen that look before. A fuzzy memory struggled to surface; it was dark, and a frantic desperation surged through her—a moment she’d almost lost him. Her heart ached in her chest, and she struggled to remember. It felt important, but the rest of the memory was just out of reach.

  The ugly voice broke into her thoughts with a chuckle. Well, there he goes. I guess you broke him this time.

  Anger burned in her chest. No, Gloria thought and bit the inside of her cheek, hard. I’m not doing that to him. The pain pulled her from her spiraling thoughts. She put a hand to her cheek and winced. “Ow.”

  The sound seemed to pull Seth back a little as well. He blinked and glanced back at her. “You okay?”

  Gloria held her cheek and looked up at him. She smiled softly and nodded. “Yes.”

  Be vulnerable. Be open.

  She scooched closer until their shoulders were touching. “I’m sorry I didn’t your question, my mind drifted someplace else.”

  Seth bowed his head and laughed dryly. “I suppose mine did as well.”

  Gloria took a deep breath and gathered her courage. She clasped her hands together, then exhaled. “Yes.” She looked at Seth. “Yes, I would still come with you.”

  “Even with everything The Lady did?”

  Gloria’s throat tightened as darker memories threatened to resurface, but she gritted her teeth and tried to push them back. “Yes.” She repeated.

  There was a long silence, but Gloria’s heart pounded in her ears. She wanted to prove to that stupid ugly voice, to Kayla, to herself, that she was trying. She bit her lip, then slowly rested her head on his shoulder. Seth tensed slightly under her head.

  Gloria swallowed, then murmured. “Don’t blame yourself for how my father or how she treated me. It’s…” She squeezed her eyes shut and forced out the truth. “It’s not your fault.”

  Seth’s arm shook and he took a shuddering breath; it sounded like he was trying not to cry. He shifted and wrapped his arm around her, then laid his head on hers. Gloria’s face flushed as the warmth from his body soaked into her.

  Vulnerable, she told herself, as she trembled beside him. I’m trying to be vulnerable.

  “Thank you,” he murmured. “I needed to hear that, especially from you.” Seth sighed, his breath tickling the top of her head.

  Hot warmth spread through Gloria, but she closed her eyes and listened to him breathe. “You’re welcome,” she whispered back, before settling herself in his arms.

  The world quieted and neither Gloria nor Seth spoke. The sky was now a deep red and pink and the clouds floated lazily by. Both of their hearts pounded fiercely in their chests, both hoping that the moment would last forever.

  I’m so glad that you’re able to snuggle with him again, the ugly voice jeered. But that doesn’t change what’s waiting. You’re just clinging to a burning coal!

  Gloria narrowed her eyes, and a stroke of courage came to her. Be quiet! I will tell him and I… she paused, for a moment unsure of committing to the step. I will take whatever comes. But for now… baby steps… She sighed and nuzzled a little closer. Baby steps.