Chapter Twelve

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Tabitha

The rumbling ground makes it impossible to rest well. I fall in and out of sleep, but it seems every time I am fully there, the ground gives a big shock and I'm jerked awake.

Raisi sighs every time it happens, then runs his hand through my hair as if to soothe me. The touch is comforting, but unfortunately, it doesn't do much to really calm me down. This situation is too much for me to relax.

I sit up straight and slide over, so I am on the side of Rai.

"It's pointless," I mutter.

"I'm sorry," he says, running his hand up and down my arm.

"It's not your fault. I'm glad you found us, though. It's better for us to be together than separated. Especially here." I throw my hands up and let them drop back down to my thighs. "Have you seen Theo or Koz since they left?"

Raisi nods and points to the right. "They came out of there and went to the other side. Twenty minutes ago, perhaps."

"How long was I trying to sleep?"

"An hour or so."

"Do you think they will find anything?"

"I'm sure they will find plenty of things, but none of which will be helpful."

A surge of panic hits my chest. "You think we won't get out of here?"

"Oh, I think we will get out of here. But not by staying here. The way to get out is out there."

"I think you're right." I turn to face him, watching as he looks around. His eyes are slightly narrowed, as if he's taking in every inch of the place. Looking for something we missed. "You are the risk taker."

He turns to me, eyebrow raised. I smile.

"Out of the three of you," I continue. "You're the one who will take risks. Not as planned or organized as Kozzanth and Theodas."

A smile slowly forms across his lips. "They never liked it about me, but it gets results just the same."

"It's a skill not everyone has."

"That's precisely what I say."

"Kozzanth takes risks too, doesn't he?"

Rai nods. "In the heat of the moment. Theo is very calculated, though. Never strays from a plan."

Which is exactly how I thought they'd be. It fits their personalities.

"What about you?" he asks, which throws me off.

"I've… never really thought about it." I shrug.

"Think about it now."

I stare out at the trees in front of us as I think about how I handle situations like this. I've planned out everything to get the throne back from my father, but am aware things may not go as planned, so I've accepted that it may change. Which is a good thing, considering we are here and that wasn't supposed to happen. I haven't been in many other stressful situations to have to consider how I would handle them. Nothing outside of being locked up in the dungeons, but there wasn't much to do in there besides plan. Which is why I did.

"I think I am a mix of all of them," I finally say. Rai watches me without saying anything, so I explain. "I know I like to have a plan to follow and will stick to it as much as I can but would change direction if needed. I also know that if I were put in a tough situation, I may not think things through before acting. So, I suppose it's all situational."

"That sounds difficult."

"Difficult?" I ask.

"I prefer to go with the flow. Weigh my options right then and there, then go. Not knowing how I will handle something is a strange thought. What makes you decide if you need a plan or not?"

"You never do anything without a plan? Not in all your trainings?"

"Of course I had plans, because that's what we were taught. But I always strayed from them. Forgot them half the time."

I laugh, and he smiles back. "Theo would complain all that I was causing him trouble, and I'd tell him I was the least trouble he'd need to worry about out on a mission because I can handle myself. Kozzanth is very protective, but Theo is too. Just in a different way. He wants us all to be safe. He just shows it differently."

"Which is okay."

He nods. "It is okay."

We fall into silence. The ground beneath us continues to shake steadily. Other than the rumbling of the ground and the echoing growls in the distance, there isn't much of anything. Until this awful, putrid scent fills the air. I cover my mouth with my hand, leaning into Raisi.

"Oh, gods above," he groans, lifting his shirt collar and putting it over his mouth and nose.

"This is foul. What is it?" I ask, just as Koz and Theo come into view. Both are running with frowns on their faces, which isn't good.

"We must go," Theo says in a loud whisper.

Raisi stands immediately, grabbing me and hoisting me up.

"What's wrong?" I ask, darting my eyes between Koz and Theo.

"Ogres," Kozzanth answers. "They are close."

"We can't just hide out here?" I ask.

Theo shakes his head. "They have an impeccable sense of smell and will find us within seconds. We must move. And fast."

Koz nods. "They are large and strong, but not swift. We can outrun them if we get a head start." He offers me his hand, so I take it. He pulls me close. "Stay by my side, no matter what. Do not let go of my arm."

"I cannot run as fast as you."

"I will keep your pace."

Another loud roar has me jolting.

"We must go. Now," Theodas says.

He takes the lead, Koz and me next, with Raisi behind us. I have a feeling I'm going to be the reason we get caught. How did I ever think this would go easily? How did I not plan for something like this happening? My damn vampire blood making me cocky.

The rumbling beneath our feet shakes the ground so hard I feel as if I will fall over. I grip Koz tighter, unsure about all of this. Something is wrong. So very wrong. For the first time, I'm worried the throne will not be mine after all.

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