Chapter 221-230

Chapter 221
They started towards the trail out of the city, and Zev bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from groaning. His entire body hurt. As soon as the adrenaline of Aurelia’s appearance and threat had passed and he’d relaxed, he started to feel weak. He was carrying both bags on one shoulder to keep his sore side free, but that entire side of his ribs and back burned now.

Sasha hovered, but did a good job of keeping the twins focused on her and her questions, and not drawing their attention to him. But he was beginning to weaken. His knees felt a little shaky as they walked. He needed a drink—had planned to get one from the spring at the center of the city, but he wasn’t going back now that they were finally moving towards the village.

He needed help.

Cursing to himself on the terrible timing, he barely caught it when Axe led them a little off the trail, to show Sasha a building that had a wall caving in so she could see the risks of certain spots in the city.

Normally, Zev would have stayed at the ground, guarded the entrance, and allowed them to move together. But he still didn’t trust Aurelia with Sasha—and it was a single story structure, open on two sides. So he dropped the bags at the door and followed the others in.

It wasn’t a lot discussion, maybe ten minutes, Sasha’s eyes flicking to Zev’s face more than once. But they’d expect her to be checking with him under the circumstances.

He struggled, wanting to stay far enough away from the twins that they wouldn’t sense the heat coming off him, but close enough that he could help Sasha if there was threat.