Page 16 of Solivagant

I reached for my axe again, only for a bloodstained boot to kick it out of reach as the blacksmith, Abraham, stared down at me with unmasked rage and contempt.

“I’m not one of them,” I pleaded again.

“I know,” his deep voice warned. “Stay out of our way. We’ll deal with you later.”

“I can help.”

“You’ve clearly done enough.”

He bent to pick up my axe, turning his back on me as he rushed in the direction of another scream.

Unarmed and bleeding, I couldn’t even find the strength to stand again.

I could only watch as the people I knew killed my image, again and again, grotesque and warped versions of me falling to the ground, often taking humans down with them.

Carnage. And all of it wearing my face. Why?

Where was Khorli? Where were the Others? Why did this happen?

The dawn sun met blood, viscera, and death. But the screaming had stopped. Those that remained gathered, talking among themselves. I waited until they came for me.

“You crossed the wall,” said Abraham.

Guilt kept me silent. They were right. I’d crossed. Long before Khorli had ever granted me permission. And now people were dead.

“You broke our agreement with the Others!” a feminine voice yelled, possibly Grace, but I couldn’t bring myself to look up and see. “You brought this upon us!”

“I’m sorry,” I mouthed, but my voice was too weak to reach them.

Tobias had warned me, and I hadn’t listened. I’d known I hadn’t belonged here all this time and yet here I’d remained, foolishly holding on to both worlds and endangering everyone because of it.

I should have left. I should have begged Khorli to take me with him to the other world, regardless of the risk. I’d have to now. There was damage here that could not be undone. Trust broken that could never be repaired.

“I’ll leave.”

“Like hell you will,” spoke Abraham, his hands already on me.

Pain shot from my shoulder, radiating over my body as he pulled me to my feet, and I groaned. He didn’t care.

Another man grabbed my other arm, and the rest surrounded us.

“You’re going to pay for what you’ve brought upon us. You’re going to make it right.”

“I’m sorry.” My voice came louder now. “I never intended for this to happen.”

My boots scraped against the dirt as I tried to pull against them, but the many hands around me were stronger.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked, a new coldness, a new fear, seeping in through the guilt.

They didn’t answer. But as the huge stone altar in the wall came into sight, I didn’t have to wonder for long.

“Please.” I fought harder, fabric tearing, my wounds reopening as they forced me toward it. “I’ll leave, please. I’ll go on my own, far away from here.”

“It’s too late for that,” a man’s voice rumbled behind me. “You’re going to fix this the only way you can.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, but I knew. I already knew even before he answered me.

“Sacrifice.”