Tellus

by Tyffany Hackett

  My mind was a swirling mess of indecision—help Jyn or help Cam, over and over in a frantic loop. I could only spare Camion a glance, long enough to see him recover himself, before Valeria shoved Jyn to the ground. He didn’t fight to his feet as I expected, instead gesturing almost helplessly toward Camion.

  “Go,” he mouthed. I hesitated.

  Valeria saw everything, saw my indecision.

  “Oh, Natylia. Couldn’t leave well enough alone, could you?” I blinked and she was beside me, whispering into my ear, “And now he’ll die because of you.”

  I couldn’t breathe. She was back to Jyn, jerking the blade roughly from his shoulder. He winced, jaw clenching as crimson splattered the ground beneath him. I loosed another arrow but Valeria dodged away, circling me again. Then Jyn was on her, pulling her cloak away to reveal ivory skin and ebony hair. Her eyes, layered in kohl but identical to her brother’s, tracked Jyn’s every movement.

  I glanced over my shoulder, having forgotten about the second Shadow. He still lay on the ground, but the nearly decapitating wound at his neck was slowly knitting itself back together, the blood lessening. Valeria struggled to fight Jyn off. Crimson leaked onto her shoulder from his wound. A second passed and Jyn caught my eye.

  His gaze flicked to Cyrus, then back to me.

  Adrenaline set my hands shaking. I had seconds, maybe less, before the mortal death holding Cyrus incapacitated would reverse. Even with the nuggets of wisdom the Elves had given me, I was only just starting to understand how my abilities activated. Any mistake I made now could cost us all. Pressure clenched down on my chest and sent my stomach heaving. Emotion. Use the emotion. Trembles raced the length of my arms, down my fingers. I wished more than ever that Meryn were still with us.

  But I focused and imagined Meryn. Pictured her abilities, the fire that danced from her fingertips and set the world alight whenever she called it.

  Flames sprang up across Cyrus’ body and along the cloak he lay sprawled on top of. Boreas and Valeria froze. Jyn tried to get his second blade to her throat but she slammed Jyn to the ground with a scream of rage. I ducked out of her path, ignoring the searing pain in my side as I tore the sleeve from my shirt and raced for Jyn.

  “Boreas,” Valeria screeched, circling her brother in panic, unwilling to risk touching the flames. “Help him.”

  The Titan glared at Camion over their locked weapons. “Well this has been fun,” he drawled. Lifting his leg, he kicked Camion solidly in the stomach, launching him into a tree near where Andimir still crouched. Boreas moved for the flaming figure.

  I returned my attention to Jyn and hurried to wrap the linen tightly around his shoulder, securing the knot.

  “Natylia,” Jyn said. I kept working. After a moment he grabbed my hands and waited until I met his eyes. “Natylia. Don’t waste your time. I know you saw the poison. We don’t have the antidote, Princess. You need to go.”

  I ignored him, shook my hands free, and wound the fabric around again, tightening a second knot. Finally, I murmured, “Go with Andimir. Go with him and get out of here. Take the horse. Get help, for both of you.”

  “Nat—”

  “No,” I whispered, and my voice shook. “This isn’t how our story ends. This isn’t a goodbye. You’re going to get help, then find me. And if Camion and I don’t make it—”

  “Don’t—”

  “If we don’t survive, find my sister. Take care of Annalea,” I said firmly. “Finish this, get her on that throne. Promise me.”

  Brown eyes met mine. Behind us, Valeria was yelling at Boreas, buying us precious seconds. I didn’t dare glance at the chaos, to check what was happening. Camion was at my side by then. I didn’t blink, didn’t waver.

  “Princess, I can’t—”

  “Jyn. That’s an order. Go. Survive.” When my eyes welled, when he started to open his mouth, I dropped one final word. “Please.”

  Camion pulled me to my feet and shoved a sword into my hand as Boreas and Valeria launched into a fresh attack. Cyrus’s remains were nothing more than dust. Even the Titan was too slow to stop the intensity of my magic. Valeria’s attacks reinvigorated, each hit harder, fueled by fury. Hatred.

  One blow. Another. My bones jarred with each impact. Camion didn’t falter, engaging Boreas so neither he nor Valeria would see Jyn as he crawled toward Andimir. We readjusted, turning their backs to the two men. I watched them support each other away, into the trees.

  Jyn caught my eye one more time. His face had paled, even in the few moments that had passed. And I prayed—to Nahara, to Lytheria, to any greater being that would listen—that they would make it out alive.

  That they would survive.

  Because when Camion fell, Boreas spun for me.

  And when a smile crept across his face, the pommel of his greatsword aimed for my head, Meryn, Jyn, and Andimir seemed very likely the only hope Araenna had left.

  Epilogue

  I awoke alone, sprawled across a stone floor. My head throbbed with the swollen wound from Boreas’s blade, my arms and legs heavy in iron shackles. The leathers I had been wearing were gone, as were my pack, my weapons. My captors had left me in a thin, white cotton gown, stained with blood and dirt. I didn’t know for sure if the former was only my own. My boots were gone. The Elven pendant remained, the stone heavy on my chest. The chill of the rocks beneath me bit into my legs and nipped at the bare skin of my feet.

  Pain lanced through my eyes every time I tried to move. I opened them nonetheless. Blinked. On all sides the walls were stone, but for a wooden door at the very front. No windows broke the gray surfaces, no bars. A solid prison.

  But I was alive.

  I didn’t know why. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Valeria wasn’t going to be forgiving of the death of her brother, and if Jyn and Andimir escaped . . .

  My chest squeezed tightly. I refused to believe otherwise. They had to have escaped. And then . . .

  It was as though my thoughts were rejecting the last. As though I couldn’t bear the thought, like I knew that if Camion had fallen beside me and I had done nothing . . .

  I hadn’t helped him. I hadn’t been able to, not with Valeria blocking my every movement, attacking me with moves of her own. But he had fought and battled a Titan so I didn’t have to deal with him, matching him blow for blow.

  He had risked his life to buy Jyn and Andimir time. They meant so much less to him, and he hadn’t cared. He had done what was needed, without me asking, because he knew someone had to survive.

  When he had fallen . . .

  That sinking feeling plummeted like a stone to the pit of my stomach. The question finally surfaced and shoved all my other thoughts aside—was he alive? Was Camion alive?

  After a moment’s struggle, I managed to sit upright. The shackles were attached to restrictive chains that were fastened to the rear wall. I tugged to no avail, wincing when the sharp metal bit into my wrists and ankles.

  “Camion,” I called out. His name echoed around the room to torment me. I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly. Nausea tugged at my senses, my head spinning, my body aching.

  The odds were against me. I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know where Camion was. I couldn’t be sure Jyn had survived the poison––if he had escaped at all––or if Andimir had managed to stop the bleeding from his chest wound. Even Meryn was an unknown, as lost to me as my blood sister.

  Was any of my family still alive?

  Fear trembled through me—real, tangible fear. I pulled my knees to my chest, curling into a ball. For the first time in a very long time, everything felt like too much.

  And for the first time in many years, I was absolutely, utterly, alone.

  I let the tears fall, let the sorrow fill me. After a few minutes, I wasn’t sure if I was trembling from cold or grief. Maybe both.

  Then a voice spoke outside the door. I stilled.

  “Do not cry. You are safe here. For now.” A pause, and then, “As long as you do what is asked of you,
you may yet survive all this.”

  The door creaked, slowly.

  Breath caught in my lungs, a chant of “no” screaming through my mind. Because I knew that voice. Recognized it.

  He stepped into the cell, two Risen at his sides, their eyes dark and splintered with red veining.

  I knew him.

  And there was only one other person with the yellow that flecked these hazel eyes.

  Betrayer.

  “Hello, Natylia.”

  Acknowledgments

  Oh. Hey there! We’re doing this again, huh? Guess I know what that means—Tellus is out in the world! This book . . . I’ve had so many ups and downs with this book. Talk about a feels roller-coaster. Tellus is one more finished and one step closer to leaving these characters behind.

  I’m absolutely certain my heart will break a little when I do.

  But enough of that for now! Before I get into the actual acknowledgments I should apologize—I know the end of this book is rough! I’m sorry! Keep an eye out, I have some short stories coming to help bridge the gap a bit. <3 But this was the natural split in the story and I absolutely can’t wait to pick it right up where we left off, and for you to see the fruition of this labor of love come to an end in Ventus.

  But for now, here we are, and Tellus definitely took another piece of my heart with it. And as always, I had an incredible team of support behind me every single step of the journey.

  To Corey — Oh man, where to begin. I know I’m not always the easiest person to live with (especially when I’m on deadlines) but I appreciate that, nonetheless, you encourage me to meet my goals. You’re a stoic support when I need it, my rock, my biggest fan. You let me chase my dreams, and there’s no better gift. I can’t even begin to express how thankful I am that’s it’s you with whom I’m spending the rest of my life. Thank you. I love you.

  To Ethan — My sunshine, my little monkey, my goober. Thank you for motivating me to sit down and write. For getting excited because you found a question mark. For being proud of Imber, without needing a reason past ‘it’s mama’s book.’ Because if I’m making you proud, that’s all I need. I love you, sweet pea. Now and forever.

  To Chris, Wayne, and Matt — Look, I’ll be shocked if any of you even read this much of my books. ;) But even so, thank you for existing. That’s it, that’s all I’ve got. Just kidding! But truly, you guys have been amazing supporters, friends, amigos, comrades, compatriots . . . I love you guys.

  To Jesikah — Girl, I think I’ll probably say this in every book; I couldn’t do this without you. I’m so eternally grateful for all the help you’ve given me, but also for your friendship. You’re a gift, and I treasure you. Thank you!

  To Jessica U — You have been such an amazing friend, cheerleader, and support to me. Truly, I am so grateful bookstagram brought you into my life because you are such a force of kindness and positivity. I couldn't ask for a better friend. Thank you for being the absolute best!

  To Joe — My friend, without you I’d be stuck using the internet to learn exactly how to murder characters—erm. I mean. ;) I’m so glad you (still) encourage me to message you with the most morbid inquiries. Your knowledge has been invaluable. Thank you so much for sharing it.

  To Kelsey — I didn't forget you! Okay, maybe it's not a dedication . . . but I definitely had to take a second to thank you! Because you don't let me get away with brushing off my accomplishments, and you scream Imber's name from the rooftops. I appreciate you, and your support, more than I can say.

  To Nathan — Thank you for your support, for regularly yelling at me to not kill Jyn, for reading the (really) rough drafts I shove at you. I know you don’t think you’ve made a difference, but trust me, you have.

  To my Dad & Dianna — Thank you for supporting my crazy dream and for letting me steal your kitchen table to work from! Love you guys!

  To my Lit Happens ladies — I don’t have words. Everyone needs a support circle and you gals have been so good for my soul. You have shared in my joys and my falls, let me spam you with art, and babble on about my characters. Your honest critique has helped me grow so much as a writer and your support and friendship means more to me than all the words in the world. I love you all, and I can’t thank you enough for being such a strong support system on this journey. <3

  To my beta readers (some of whom I’ve already mentioned, but also Becky, Grace, Sarah, Chelscey, and Heather) — Thank you for helping make Tellus so much better. Without your advice and input Tellus wouldn’t be nearly as good, and I can’t thank you enough for the gift that is your time.

  A special thank you to all of my Bookstagram pals — who have been steadfast and supportive, and who have helped spread the word about my book babies! You know who you are!

  And as always, thank you to you, my dear readers. I truly don’t have words for what every one of you means to me. Thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on me, on my stories. I couldn’t do this without you guys.

  I’m a girl chasing the moon, but I couldn’t come close without all of you stars. ;)

  About the Author

  Residing in New York's Southern Tier, Tyffany Hackett is the author of The Thanatos Trilogy as well as co-author of the Genesis Crystal Saga with Becky Moynihan. She spends her days chasing after her rambunctious toddler, and her nights pouring words from her fingertips. Also an avid gamer, Tyffany spends her down time primarily in the worlds of Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and World of Warcraft.

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