The Wayward Haunt: The Wayward Series, Young Adult Dark Fantasy (The Wayward Haunt Series Book 1) by Cas E Crowe

Author:Cas E Crowe [Crowe, Cas E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cas E Crowe
Published: 2020-06-20T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

We reached Essida from a cave—an ancient escape route that narrowed into a steep track through the mountain—and climbed from a manhole into the town square. My first inclination was to cover my nose and block the cooked, meaty stench carried by the wind. I stopped midstep, my jaw agape. Flames fanned out across bombed-out buildings. The cobble roads were lined with sulphur and ash. Except for the crackling flames and the sound of machine guns fired in the distance, the market square was silent. And empty.

I rubbed my arms, spooked by how vacant the streets were. “Where is everyone?”

Jad examined the burnt-out market square, his eyes blazing like the athame-sabre in his hand. “They’re either long gone… or dead.” There was no life in his voice, no emotion, just cold hard fact.

Something sticky built in the back of my throat. I snuck a glance at his cool, calculating expression. How could he be so impervious to what surrounded us? The flames cast terrible shadows across his face, his lean, muscled body moving with purpose through the square. He looked like an avenging angel sent to wreak havoc on the Earth.

I sniffled, wiping my nose on the back of my hand. “Did the ULD do this?”

Surely only they could be to blame for Essida’s destruction? But the more the hungry inferno shot sparks like New Year’s fireworks, the more I realised only advanced weapons could be responsible—weapons the Haxsan Guard possessed.

Jad marched on, never slowing his stride. “General Kravis ordered the attack. Macaslan organised the rescue mission.”

I froze, glaring at the back of his head. “Why would Kravis do this?”

The captain spun around, flushed and feverish-looking, his eyes intense on mine. “Because the ULD believed someone in this city had the map. Vulcan Stormouth offered a reward in exchange for it. Kravis made sure no one would be tempted to take the offer.”

“By destroying the city?” I tossed back a disbelieving laugh.

The heated glare in Jad’s gaze softened. I knew no matter how hard he tried to hide it, he didn’t agree with the general’s method either. His fingers locked tighter on his weapon, the muscles in his neck straining. “Take a breath and pull yourself together, Zaya. I need you calm. My contact’s meeting point is not far from here. We get in and out. Understand?”

A dry burn formed in the back of my throat. “Fine.”

Because what other choice was there? I wasn’t even supposed to be here. My plan had fallen flat on its face. Jad was my ticket out of Essida. I was at his mercy now.

The captain led me into the maze of debris, sifting through the ash with his boot and kicking rubble aside. Something rolled out to land face up at my feet. Horror clouded my brain. It was a blackened skull.

Strange, powerful grief erupted in my chest.

That meaty, barbequed stench is… people.

Vertigo closed in, my legs weightless.

I didn’t hear Jad approach, but his voice was suddenly there, low and deliberate in my ear.

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