25. Hanna

What if we were too late? What if my father's already dead? Could this be a deliberate set-up? A bait to lure us into certain peril?

Stop!

I need to keep my head straight if I'm going to do this. I must get my father back alive.

I already lost my mother. I will not endure further grief with another death in the family. He's the only blood I have left.

A tear cascades down my cheek. I watch it fall to the ground.

The thought of spilling Zathex's blood is a violent fantasy I indulge in. He needs to suffer for what he's done.

Advancing on me and attempting to sell me off was appalling enough, but to go after my father? He's signed his own death warrant.

Luckily for me, I have the perfect executioner to do the job. With Kazrith's assistance, we might just stand a chance in the face of our enemy.

The anger and sadness within me are more than enough fuel for the journey to our destination.

I ignore the looks of people passing us by. If I give them any mind, I might just lash out at them, but I'd be no better than a xaphan for that.

Kazrith and I stop beside a spot with heavy foliage thanks to the trees and bushes heavily scattered throughout the region. He inconspicuously peaks around a half-wall while I keep watch. There are fewer humans in this area so we must be close.

"Just up ahead is the xaphan territory. Looks like the gate covers its perimeter. Inconvenient, but nothing undoable."

"I don't suppose they'd let us stroll right in through the front gate."

"Somehow, I don't think that's a possibility. Do you have the map memorized?" he asks.

"Vulnerable entry points and everything, yes."

"Very well. Looks like guards are patrolling and making their rounds, though I can't quite see a pattern just yet. They've got weapons, wonderful."

"No spear or sword will stop me," I say.

I move around to proceed. Kazrith's hand shoots out and pulls me back by the wrist.

"Take it easy, Hanna! You won't be saying that when they've lodged their damned blades into you."

Seething, I pull my wrist back, rubbing the sore spot where his tight grip squeezed.

"My father could be taking his dying breath in there right now, and you're telling me to take it easy? Are you serious?"

"Incredibly serious," Kazrith asserts, his voice firm and commanding. "We must be smart about this, Hanna. Get a grip or you'll have us both killed for your recklessness."

My lip quivers as I turn away, not wanting him to see me cry.

"I'm not trying to be an asshole," he says.

"No, you're right," I whisper. "I'm just afraid. I don't want to be too late."

"You'll get him back, I promised you that many times. We just have to remain patient."

"I understand." I draw a deep breath to recollect myself, dashing a tear away. "What's the move then?"

"We'd best wait until nightfall. We'll use the cloak of darkness to our advantage."

Though it takes every ounce of strength to refrain, I relent and wait for hours on end, surveying the territory from a distance. All the while, I try not to think of my father in chains, begging for his life, probably wondering where I am and why I don't rescue him.

I hope he doesn't think I have betrayed him.

Finally, night falls, bringing with it an ebony blanket of darkness over the sky. The air is crisp and chill, with barely a sound to be heard save for the occasional resident of the city. Even the wildlife have resigned to their nests for the night.

Still, I wait a little while more for Kazrith's go-ahead as he performs recon on the patrol. Just when my patience runs out, he finally gives us the long-awaited cue.

"A guard passes this side of the perimeter every five minutes or so. The next should come soon. When he clears, we'll move in using the closest hole in the gates."

"I'm ready," I say, my body twitching with anticipation.

"Take this," he says, passing me a silver dagger wrapped in a leather sheath. "Only use it if you need to. We're here only to kill one xaphan and rescue your father. Remember the mission."

Just as Kazrith predicts, a guard passes the section we're nearest to. As soon as he's gone, we move.

Our footsteps are as quiet as air on a windless day. We reach a hole in the gate. I fit through almost instantly, while Kazrith takes a minute to get inside.

"We're in," I say.

I look around the elite residences, each home a mansion compared to the houses humans are provided. Gates, locks, they have the highest level of security.

Many xaphans are nestled asleep in their beds, unaware that two savages are roaming their territory right now.

"Watch it!" Kazrith hisses, pulling me back. "Look, right there in front of you!"

I peer down, looking at the spike trap just inches away from my toes.

"Fuck!" I whisper.

"Your ankle was almost dinner. They've probably had intruders before, so watch out for traps."

I sneer at the trap. It won't stop me, nothing will.

I move around, sticking to the shadows as Kazrith moves a few meters ahead. I press myself against the wall beside him, waiting for his survey as he scans the area ahead.

"Watchtower up ahead with a spotlight, get down!"

We duck behind the wall, our faces inches from each other. My heart is beating so quickly that I think I'll pass out.

I know that if we're caught now, there's no escaping. The spotlight passes over our location.

"You stay put here, I'll take care of this."

He disappears in the blink of an eye. I peek over the wall, watching his shadow form dart across the way and ascend the watchtower.

From the top level comes a stifled yelp. Kazrith appears, beckoning me over.

"Showoff," I quip upon rejoining him.

He smiles and leads the way as we move deeper into the xaphan territory. As we move through the shadows and shrubbery, a murmur of voices comes into earshot.

"Ssh!" I whisper.

I maneuver around Kazrith, taking the lead as I inch along the ground. I move as close as I can, holding my breath to listen to a set of guards right around the corner.

"So Zathex finally put a leash on that human of his?"

"That's right. It's not like he was going to talk, anyway."

"But why is he still being kept in Zathex's house? Why not move him to the holding area?"

"Maybe he wants to lure the daughter back, but it's been so long now that he might just put the bastard out of his misery and toss him away."

The thought of Zathex laying a hand on my father spikes every ounce of fight in me. I hear the guards bid each other farewell. One of them is coming our way. I'm not about to let him pass.

When he comes into reach, I lash out and pull him to the ground, covering his mouth as I press the dagger against his throat. Kazrith looms over him on the opposite side, ensuring he doesn't try anything stupid.

"Where are the rest of the guards?" I hiss.

The xaphan's eyes are wide with fear, his pupils darting between Kazrith and me. I uncover his mouth ever so slightly.

"It's only me and four others, including the one you just saw!"

"And Zathex, is he in his home?"

I see Kazrith's glare aimed at me now.

"Yes, yes!"

Kazrith shakes his head, his hands moving for the xaphan's neck. With a swift movement, the guard is lifeless.

"I thought you said no killing," I mutter.

"You mentioned Zathex by name. If we let the guard live, he'd have made the connection between you and your father. You are way too hasty!"

Grunting, I sheathe the blade. The demon hides the body and then returns to me.

"Follow my lead."

Under his guidance, we avoid the remaining guards. We hold up outside a property up ahead.

"That's Zathex's place. I'll get us through the door."

I stay a few meters behind Kazrith as he uses his shadow powers once more, morphing into a black void as he blasts through the front entrance. His abilities seem to mask the sound of the impact, keeping any patrols off our tail.

I enter the house, casting an eye around for any sign of my father's whereabouts. I can't call out to him, it'd give me away.

"Hanna," Kazrith whispers. "We'll split up. I'll go take out Zathex for good, you go search for your father. Stay with him until I return."

"I'd say good luck but I don't think you need it."

He turns to go but I pull him back for a kiss of luck. He smiles and then ascends to the top floor.

I begin my search, keeping my steps light as I check each and every room. I mindfully steady myself walking past vases and ornaments.

I check every corner, not giving up as my heart beats heavily. Every failed look is another knife in the dark, a voice whispering my father is gone.

But I know he's here, I just have to look harder.

I throw a hand to my mouth, silencing a cry of terror at the thought of never finding him. My other hand grazes a bookshelf, landing on a heavy volume.

"I can't give up, not when I'm so close."

I step away, my hand inadvertently pulling on the book. Then comes a mechanical whirring from behind the bookshelf, revealing a doorway.

I blink and rub my eyes in disbelief, but it's really there. My father has to be on the other side. I only hope he's still alive.