36. Keelan

Chapter thirty-six

Keelan

I stood frozen. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe.

Sil threw her arms around me and tackled me to the ground. "We have to get out of here. Now!"

She crouched below the banister and propelled me forward. Before I knew what was happening, we were sprinting through the hallway toward the back door. The sound of shouting and countless boots turned the quiet passages into chaos. As Sil and I burst through the door, racing toward Atikus and the boat, masked faces appeared in the windows above the door. An arrow flew past me and embedded itself into the wood of the dock.

More arrows followed.

"Atikus, untie the boat!" I cried out.

The whizzing of arrows increased as more figures joined the fray .

I had one foot in the boat when I heard Sil scream. I turned and gaped in horror at the arrow jutting out of her chest. Two more struck her in rapid succession. She locked eyes with me, and time slowed.

She drew her bow, then an arrow.

She turned and fired.

Her aim was true, and one stream of missiles ceased.

"Keelan, go! I'll hold them off as long as I can. Get Atikus out of here!" She dropped two more before taking a bolt in her thigh.

She dropped to her knees.

Atikus grabbed me and pulled me into the boat.

"We can't save her," he shouted. "We have to go!"

We rowed for our lives. Arrows splashed around us, yet Sil held the line.

Until she didn't.

I looked back.

Sil launched one last arrow, then tumbled face down.

My granite fa?ade shattered, and tears streaked down my face.

First Tiana and now Sil.

Atikus gripped my arm. "Row, son. Just row. There will be time to mourn later."