story part ;
hunted

Three Days Prior
To The Parting Ball

Kason couldn't even recall what had happened the last time he was caught wandering in the forest. He was sure it had been years ago, back when he was younger and less tainted by blood. However, he wasn't entirely sure what circumstances it had taken place under. In that moment, his head was pounding, the anger that rushed through him pumping so fast that it made his head spin.

Still, he kept on running, making his way through the trees as he chased the sound of footsteps crunching twigs and leaves. Why she had chosen to not use her magic to get away was beyond him, but he was grateful for the fact.

"You can't run from this, Astrid," Kason shouted as he slowed, "The rebels won't take you back, neither will society. Eventually you'll be back to me if I don't find you tonight."

The footsteps stopped abruptly, and the prince was no longer certain what he was chasing. He came to a stop, listening for another sound to be made.

"Alright," he heard a soft voice say behind him.

Swirling around, the girl with dark hair was walking towards him, black dress torn at the legs, no where near the twisted elegance she always wore. His jaw tightened as he looked at her, waiting for her to make the next move.

She reached under the see through cloak that covered her shoulders, producing a tied packet of papers, the string about ready to fall apart. "Here it is," she said, extending it to him, "There was a reason I didn't tell you, you know. I knew what you would do. Everyone who knows you will know what you're going to do."

"You mean what I've already done to you?" He managed to get out, his tone leaking venom through the words. "You mean the things I've told Reed Brooks that will make sure no rebel allows you back at the base? You mean the things I've let out into society that will never allow you to be accepted? You're lucky I'm not locking you in the dungeons."

All Astrid did was nod her head, watching him snatch the spell from her hands. He held onto it, his eyes shooting holes through her rather than moving to open the papers. He trusted that she would have to tell the truth at this point, because they were nowhere near finished if she didn't.

"We'll never be finished at all," she said, her words sparked by the thoughts she read from his mind.

Without explanation, Astrid Cane was disappearing for what would be the last time Kason saw her.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

note. two more story
parts coming by the
end of the day. kind of
ashamed to call this
a story part, but i hope
it's good enough!