The Secret of Spellshadow Manor 6 by Bella Forrest (books for men to read .TXT) 📕

I don’t have the energy,” Alex explained, though he could barely spit the words out.

Virgil nodded. “Then you should wait here, get yourself rested, and I will return with Ceres. I won’t take no for an answer,” he insisted, seeing that Alex was about to protest.

Eventually, Alex relented. “Fine, but if you’re not back within the hour, I’m coming to find you.”

“That sounds fair,” Virgil said, smiling. “Now, you stay here, propped up against this rock. Do not move, understood?”

Alex sighed. “Understood.”

Satisfied that Alex wasn’t about to give up on life before he got back, Virgil took off across the field, disappearing into the horizon, his black cloak flapping behind him. He looked like a menacing scarecrow, put among the flowers and plants to keep birds away. Alex watched him until he could no longer see his retreating figure, wishing he had the strength to get up and run. How Virgil was doing it, Alex had no idea. Perhaps the spell had done something different to the skeletal man? All he really knew was that it had taken more out of him than he’d ever thought possible. In truth, part of him wished it had killed him, so he wouldn’t have to feel like this.

That’s the tiredness talking, he chastised himself, knowing he was getting dangerously close to self-deprecation territory.

He let his mind wander toward thoughts of the people he had left behind at Starcross. There was no telling what Virgil would find when he arrived, but Alex allowed himself a sliver of faith, just this once.

If Hadrian executed the plan, then they are all safe, he told himself. They are all safe. They are all safe. They are all safe.

He repeated the mantra, hoping that if he believed it enough, it might come true. Then the silent, dreamless sleep of the world-weary took him in its arms, letting him rest at last.

Chapter 31

He was awoken by the sound of approaching hooves. Still in a half asleep state of semi-consciousness, he was convinced it was Julius and his soldiers, coming to exact revenge for what he had done. When he felt hands grasp his arms a few moments later, he flailed them wildly, trying to fight back against his aggressors.

“Alex, it’s just me and Virgil,” Ceres spoke, coaxing Alex out of his nightmare with a rough shake.

He blinked his eyes rapidly until his vision cleared. Sure enough, crouched on the ground before him was Ceres, peering at him with her one good eye, while Virgil stood in the background, leaning over her shoulder.

“He found you?” was all Alex could say.

Ceres smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah, he found me. We’ve come to take you back to the camp,” she said, a little standoffish, though she offered her hand to help him up. He took it gladly, using her as a lever to haul his whole body up to a standing position. Even then, his legs wobbled slightly.

“You may have to help me,” he said reluctantly. She nodded, taking his arm and placing it around her neck, her arm gripping him tightly at the waist.

“Lean on me. I can bear your weight,” she assured him, softening slightly. Alex did. It was a relief not to have to hold up the weighty bones of his own body by himself. The brief sleep had somehow left him feeling worse. Still, he had to keep going, at least until he saw that everything was right with the world again.

With some difficulty, Ceres helped Alex up onto the back of her Kelpie before hopping up behind him and taking the reins. Virgil had volunteered to walk back, though there was definitely room for him on the extensive back of the huge beast.

“You sure you won’t ride with us?” she asked with a knowing smile.

Virgil nodded. “I prefer to walk,” he said, stepping back as the Kelpie snorted loudly in his direction. Horses were evidently not the Head’s favorite animals.

Leaving Virgil behind, Alex clung on tightly as the beast thundered along the fields. His senses perked up as they passed the rows of beautiful lavender, the scent wafting up into his nostrils, clearing his head for a brief time, as if he had just sniffed smelling salts. It was by no means easy to cling onto a charging steed, considering his arms and legs felt like jelly, but somehow he managed it, even admiring some of the pretty countryside that flashed past.

“Ceres, I wanted to apologize,” he began, mustering the courage to say what needed to be said. She didn’t turn, but he could tell she was listening. “I know what happened here was my fault. If I had listened, if I had just—”

“You don’t have to apologize, Alex,” she said, cutting him off. “I was angry with you. We lost a lot of people that day, and I won’t lie—I blamed you for it. But when the dust settled, I realized my blame was misplaced. Julius did this… He did all of this. Yes, things could have been done differently, but if nothing had changed, nobody would be free. You aren’t to blame, Alex, and I was wrong to say those things to you.”

Alex shook his head wearily. “I still accept responsibility for my actions. I know where I made mistakes, and I’m so sorry for your losses,” he replied, unable to accept her full forgiveness until he could accept it in himself.

She smiled. “One day, I hope you manage to let go of the guilt, before it eats you up inside,” she murmured.

Before long, they arrived at the edge of the encampment, the bluish smoke of the fires rising over the roofs of the tents and shanties. The corral pens were still up in the fields beyond the camp, but the people who stood inside them were not Starcross folk. No, it seemed the survivors had rescued their own, putting the soldiers in the pens instead, where they could keep an eye on them. People were wandering about as