Читать книгу Scars of Iron - Ivy G. Shadrick - Страница 2

“I don't want to do this, my sweet child. But I'm doing what I have to for the people of this world. And I'm doing it for you.”

“But mom, please, I want you to sing to me again.”

My mom just shook her head as she took a step toward the back door.

“Please, just one song?” I begged.

“I'm so sorry, my child. I love you so much.” She just kept shaking her head at me.

I had never seen her cry before. But her eyes were wet and so were her cheeks as she came closer to me and planted a final, gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Aria?” My aunt's voice sounded from the kitchen.

My mom and I both turned our heads.

“Aria, you need to go, the library was just set on fire,” my aunt said louder this time.

“Goodbye, my sweet Ria. Never forget how much I love you. And always remember that you were meant to make it.”

“Mom–” I started.

Then she was headed to the kitchen. She hugged my aunt and blew me one last kiss as she left the house.

I stood from my seat on the couch and went over to my aunt. I wasn't crying, because my mom would be back, I knew she would.

My aunt's hands gripped the countertop as she peered through the window and across the street to the burning library.

Then there was a figure crossing the street toward the fire rather than away from it.

And there were people grabbing their arms and forcing chains around their body.

“Who is that? Is the Queen mad at them? Are they going to be okay?” I asked.

“Do not refer to that woman as the Queen. She will never be our Queen.”

“Is that person going to be okay?” I repeated.

“She will be fine. Now, it's time for bed my sweet little Aria,” she said as she patted me on the shoulders and hurried me up the stairs and into my room.

“Will mom and dad be okay?” I asked quietly this time.

She was tucking me into bed as she replied, “I can't offer you a false sense of hope, Ria. But just know that they love you more than anything and that's why they fight.”

“I just want one more song from my mom. I want her to come back.”

“Your mother will not be back for a little while. But you keep her in your heart simply with your shared name.”

I just nodded and asked for a glass of water.

She disappeared downstairs for a while and I watched the glowing light from the burning library fill my room.

“Here you go,” she said as she handed me the water. Then she went back downstairs.

I sat up and sipped on my cool drink as I watched the light of the flames dance across the walls.

“She is not even ten years old,” I heard my aunt shout at someone below me.

“She needs to know her duties,” another voice said.

“She just needs to survive this. Then we can give her the proper life she should have.” I had never heard my aunt so angry.

“You know that's not possible, there's no coming back from this war. And there is nearly no hope for the Allies.”

My aunt didn't respond for several moments. Then she snapped, “Get out of my house.”

“But just–” the man started.

“Get out of my house!”

I flinched at her loud words and spilled some of the water across the blanket on my lap.

I tried to wipe it away, but it just seeped into the thick fabric.

And when I finally tried to fall asleep, I heard my aunt crying.

So I did not shut my eyes until I heard her close her bedroom door and go to sleep.

I was shaken awake and my aunt's face was covered in sweat as she pulled me from my bed.

“Aria, you need to get out of here, if they find you tell them that your name is Lithiah Horanym. You don't know where you are and you don't know where your parents went.”

“Why?” I asked, still sleepy.

“I can't tell you why, but I just need you to trust me. You'll have a new family when all of this is over. Just run, my dear, and survive as long as you can.”

She handed me a heavy bag and rushed me down the stairs.

“Get away from the city. There is enough food in your bag for a few weeks.”

Then she handed me a dagger and a belt.

“You know how to use this and there are more in the bag. As well as some clean clothes and soap.”

“Auntie, I don't want to go. Can I just stay with you?”

“No, you can't, they're coming for me because I don't agree with them. Please, just stay safe.”

I nodded and tried not to cry as she fixed a thick wool coat around my shoulders.

Then I was outside in the cold air of the early morning. And I started running because I didn't know what else to do. And I didn't look over my shoulder.

I ran toward the burned library and stopped just long enough to catch my breath. And then I continued.