chapter thirty-six

[ IN WHICH SHE IS A SPEEDSTER ]

Fear grips me.

The three young guards are no longer behind me.

It feels as though there is a lump in my throat as I peer around the market. My round, brown eyes rove around the area; they weave through the crowds of people, over carts and buildings as I try to find the men who have been charged with the duty of keeping me safe while I run away from the possible threat the Grand Alkhemi holds at the moment.

Lake, Eirene and Atlas are gone.

It makes me wonder how long I have been running, lurking around without them. The thought alone makes me anxious, and unsettled.

My grip on my dress tightens as I walk backwards. I do this in order to retrace my steps. "Lake." I call out. I walk further in the direction I came from, wondering if I had lost them behind a building. “Atlas? Lake?” My breath shudders as I call for the third time. “Ei—”

Someone suddenly bumps into me, cutting out my air supply. Their hand collides with my face, and their elbow collides