? Vess ?
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The world seemed to sharpen in those tense, adrenaline-fueled moments. As Kaelira tackled the guard to the ground and Vess scrambled to help, every movement felt surreal, as though the weight of their chains had numbed her to the possibility of freedom. But then Kaelira held up the key, and that small, rusted piece of metal was more powerful than anything she had imagined. It was hope, it was escape—it was freedom.
As soon as Kaelira unlocked the metal collar around her neck, Vess gasped, her hands shooting up to rub the sore, bruised skin. The collar had been so heavy, its presence a constant reminder of her captivity, and now it was gone. The sensation of freedom was overwhelming, her neck still tender from the oppressive weight that had held her down.
Kaelira unlocked her own collar next, and Vess watched her do the same—massaging her sore neck, the sense of relief palpable. But something surged within Vess in that moment, a wild joy, a sudden realization that they had done it—they were free of the chains, of the collars, of the weight that had bound them.
Without thinking, Vess let out a breathless laugh, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. She leapt forward, wrapping her arms around Kaelira in a spontaneous burst of joy. Her heart raced, not from fear, but from the sheer thrill of being free.
Kaelira’s body stiffened in surprise, clearly not expecting such an outburst, but Vess didn’t care. She clung to her for a moment, holding on tightly, her heart light with the exhilaration that bubbled up from within. The chains were gone—they were free.
"We did it!" Vess breathed, her voice almost giddy with disbelief. "We’re free, Kaelira!"
The rush of excitement and joy that had overtaken her was undeniable. She had flung herself into Kaelira’s arms without thinking, letting the sense of freedom and relief wash over her completely. But as she clung to the catfolk warrior, she could feel Kaelira’s body tense beneath her touch, frozen in surprise.
Vess pulled back just enough to look up at Kaelira, noticing the subtle shift in her expression—a flicker of something like bewilderment in her golden eyes. Vess realized that her impulsive gesture had caught Kaelira off guard.
The fierce warrior was clearly not used to this kind of exuberant reaction. She could feel the stiffness in Kaelira’s frame, but even so, Vess saw something else there, too—something softer, even if it was buried deep.
For a moment, Vess thought she had gone too far, that maybe she had crossed a line. But then, though Kaelira didn’t fully return the embrace, she didn’t push Vess away either. There was a brief, fleeting smile on Kaelira’s lips, something small and almost imperceptible, but enough to tell Vess that maybe—just maybe—Kaelira wasn’t completely annoyed by her antics.
"We’re not free yet," Kaelira said quietly, her voice calm but tinged with something lighter. Vess pulled back more fully, realizing Kaelira was right. The collars were off, but they still had a long way to go.
As Kaelira gently untangled herself from the embrace, Vess’s heart was still soaring, but her feet were back on the ground. Kaelira, ever the practical one, shifted her focus back to the task at hand.
"We still need to get out of here," Kaelira added, her tone sharpening again as her warrior instincts took over.
Vess could still feel the adrenaline rushing through her veins, her heart beating loudly in her ears as she and Kaelira stood over the unconscious guard. The momentary relief of having the collars removed was quickly overshadowed by the harsh reality of their situation—they weren’t safe yet.
Kaelira’s eyes flicked toward the guard, her expression hardening with practicality. “We can’t leave him here like this,” she said quietly, her voice calm but firm. “If he wakes up, we’re finished. The others will know. He’ll bring more of them.”
Vess’s stomach churned at the implication. She knew what Kaelira was suggesting—the cold, efficient solution to their problem. Silence him, permanently. But the thought of ending someone’s life, even in a situation like this, made Vess’s heart lurch. She wasn’t ready for that.
“We don’t have to kill him,” Vess said quickly, her voice trembling slightly but full of determination. “We can… we can lock him in the collar. The one I was in.”
Kaelira’s golden eyes narrowed, her gaze sharp as she studied Vess. “And when he wakes up?” she asked, her tone edged with skepticism. “He’ll be just as dangerous then. He could call for help.”
Vess took a deep breath, her mind racing. “Not if we leave him tied up,” she said. “He won’t be able to move, not without the key. We’ll buy ourselves time.”
Kaelira remained silent for a moment, clearly weighing the options. Vess knew the warrior in her wanted to take the practical route, to eliminate the threat before it became a problem. But Vess couldn’t stomach the idea of killing someone like this—an unconscious man who, despite working for Kellen, wasn’t necessarily a monster.
“I don’t want his blood on my hands,” Vess added quietly, her voice steady now, though her eyes betrayed the vulnerability she felt.
Kaelira let out a quiet sigh, her gaze softening just a fraction. “It’s a risk,” she said, but there was no anger in her voice, only a reluctant acceptance. “But… if that’s what you want, we’ll do it your way.”
Vess nodded, relief flooding through her. Together, they worked quickly, dragging the unconscious guard to the collar they had just escaped from. It wasn’t easy—Vess’s body still ached from the strain of their efforts—but soon enough, they had him locked in place, bound and gagged so he couldn’t call for help.
As they stood over the restrained guard, Vess felt a weight lift from her chest. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was one she could live with. They were one step closer to freedom, and they had managed to keep their hands clean—at least for now.
“Let’s move,” Kaelira said, her voice low and urgent. “Before someone else comes looking for him.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Vess nodded, swallowing the lump of fear rising in her throat. Her body ached, and her legs felt weak from both the strain of their efforts and the lingering effects of her injuries. But now wasn’t the time for rest. They had to get out before anyone noticed the guard was missing.
The stairs leading up from the basement loomed ahead of them, the door at the top slightly ajar. Vess took a shaky breath, trying to push down the nausea and anxiety twisting in her stomach. She had no idea what they’d face once they got out of the basement—more guards, perhaps, or worse. But Kaelira’s calm confidence was reassuring. She was a warrior, and Vess felt better knowing that they had Kaelira’s instincts and strength on their side.
“I’ll take point,” Kaelira said, her golden eyes sharp and focused. “Stay close to me. If we run into anyone, don’t engage unless you have to.”
Vess gave a tight nod, not trusting her voice to remain steady. She stayed just behind Kaelira as they began ascending the stairs, their footsteps quiet but deliberate. Every creak of the wood beneath their feet felt loud in the tense silence, but they pushed forward, determined to reach the upper floors without drawing attention.
When they reached the door, Kaelira carefully eased it open, peering through the narrow gap to get a sense of their surroundings. Vess held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
Kaelira stepped through the door, signaling for Vess to follow. They emerged into a dimly lit hallway, the grandness of the mansion now apparent. The opulent decorations and fine tapestries lining the walls were in stark contrast to the cold, dark basement they had just left behind. But despite the luxury, the tension in the air was palpable.
Kaelira moved swiftly, her movements calculated as she led Vess down the hall, her senses on high alert. They had no idea how many guards were stationed in the mansion or how soon someone would come looking for the missing guard, but they couldn’t afford to stay still.
As they rounded a corner, the sound of distant voices reached their ears. Vess’s heart skipped a beat, her hand instinctively gripping Kaelira’s arm as she listened.
“Sounds like two, maybe more,” Kaelira whispered, her gaze sharp. “We need to avoid them.”
Vess had been trying to keep her steps light, her breathing steady as she followed Kaelira down the dim hallway. But her body was still aching, her legs weak from both the exhaustion and the tension. Her foot caught the edge of the uneven stone floor, and before she could catch herself, she stumbled, her body pitching forward.
The sound echoed louder than she expected, a small but distinct noise in the silence of the mansion. Vess’s heart dropped as she heard it—the sharp, alerted voices of guards nearby. Three of them.
"Who’s there?" one of the guards called, their footsteps drawing closer.
Kaelira’s body tensed. There was no time to hide, no way to avoid confrontation. Vess barely had a chance to steady herself before Kaelira sprang into action.
In one fluid motion, Kaelira dashed toward the first guard, closing the distance between them. Her movements were swift and lethal. Kaelira swept the guard’s legs out from under him with a hard crash, sending him sprawling to the floor with a surprised grunt.
Without hesitation, Kaelira reached down, pulling a dagger from the guard’s belt. She flicked her wrist, and with deadly precision, the blade clattered onto the stone floor at Vess’s feet.
Vess froze, her eyes darting from the dagger to Kaelira. The look Kaelira gave her was sharp, significant—there was no room for mercy here, no space for Vess’s hesitation. This wasn’t like the guard they’d left bound in the basement. These men were armed, and they wouldn’t hesitate to kill them.
Vess’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared down at the dagger. Kaelira was already moving again, closing in on the other guards with deadly intent, her movements precise and brutal. Vess swallowed hard, her breath coming in ragged gasps as the reality of the situation hit her.
This time, there was no option but to fight.
Vess scrambled to grab the dagger from the floor. Her fingers wrapped around the hilt awkwardly, the cold metal unfamiliar and heavy in her grip. She wasn’t a fighter—not like Kaelira—but she knew there was no time to think about it. Her mind raced, and she forced herself to move, pushing her feet forward.
The dagger in her hand glanced uselessly off the metal plates of the guard''s armor. The scrape of metal on metal sent a jolt of panic through her. She barely had time to think before the guard, with a growl of anger, yanked his sword from its sheath, the steel flashing in the dim light.
He swung his sword in a wide arc. She stumbled back, trying to evade the strike, but she wasn’t fast enough. The blade grazed her side, cutting through her dress and leaving a sharp sting in its wake. She gasped, feeling the warmth of blood trickle down her side.
Instinct took over, guiding her as she shifted her stance. Instead of backing away in a straight line, she circled to the side, keeping herself mobile, light on her feet. She couldn’t let him corner her, and she couldn’t stay in range of that sword for long.
The guard swung again, but this time Vess moved faster, ducking low and stepping just outside the arc of his blade.
Just as Vess was starting to think that this was the end—that there was no way she could keep the guard at bay much longer—she saw a flash of movement from the corner of her eye. A sharp whistling sound cut through the air, and before she could fully process what was happening, a dagger buried itself into the guard’s lightly armored joint at his shoulder.
The guard grunted in pain, his sword arm faltering as the sudden strike from the side caught him off guard. Vess’s heart leapt in her chest, and she glanced quickly toward the source of the thrown dagger.
Kaelira.
The Veshari warrior had already dispatched the other two guards, their lifeless bodies lying in the hallway. Now, she was standing poised, her eyes trained on the guard still fighting Vess, her expression fierce and calculating. She had come to Vess’s aid in the nick of time.
With the guard reeling from Kaelira''s precise throw, Vess felt a rush of adrenaline surge through her. She knew this was her chance—she had to act. Her body moved before her mind fully registered what she was about to do, stepping inside the guard’s reach. His armor left few weaknesses, but his open-faced helm provided the one vulnerable spot she needed.
Without thinking, Vess drove the dagger forward, aiming for his exposed face. The blade struck with a sickening thunk, and the guard’s eyes went wide in shock. For a moment, he swayed on his feet, the weight of what had just happened hanging in the air.
Vess’s breath caught in her throat, and a wave of nausea and horror slammed into her as the realization of what she had done hit her all at once. She had just taken a life.
Her hand shook violently as she stared at the guard, her heart pounding so loudly she could barely hear anything else. Her grip loosened, and the dagger slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor with a sharp sound that echoed in her mind.
She stumbled back, her chest tightening as panic clawed its way to the surface. She had never killed before—not like this—and the weight of the act hit her like a crashing wave. Her breathing became rapid and shallow as the room seemed to spin around her, her vision narrowing to a pinpoint.
The guard fell with a heavy thud, lifeless. Vess’s knees buckled, and she dropped to the ground, gasping for air, her mind racing in a hundred directions at once.
Vess’s gaze stayed fixed on the ground, the bitterness of her situation still lingering in her chest, when she saw Kaelira’s hand extend toward her. A dagger gleamed in the dim light, its blade sharp and ready.
“You did good,” Kaelira said, her voice calm but steady, a reassurance Vess didn’t expect.
For a moment, Vess just stared at the dagger in Kaelira’s hand, her fingers twitching with hesitation. Did Kaelira really believe that? Did she truly think Vess had done well, even after everything that had just happened?
Tentatively, Vess reached out, her hand closing around the hilt of the dagger. The weight of it felt more familiar this time, and Kaelira’s quiet words settled some of the turmoil swirling inside her. Maybe she wasn’t the ruthless fighter Kaelira was, but hearing those words, Vess realized that maybe she wasn’t entirely helpless either.
Vess nodded, her throat tight with emotion as she whispered, “Thanks.”