It was my time to look confused. It had never occurred to me that there might be more than a cloaked figure surrounding the inn. In fact, from the moment I found Omen, I thought that the mystery was over, and not far from it. Or was it all a dream, like Marian had suggested?

“Maybe one of the guys that were with you came here?” I suggested, considering the options.

“That’s not possible.” Omen replied.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked.

“I just do.” He said. I got quiet for a moment. It seemed pointless to keep this conversation going: Omen was saying very little, and no matter how much I kept pushing on, he was never going to give me full story, so whatever mystery was going on with the cloaked figure, it seemed that the best option, for now, was to change the subject to more practical matters.

“Well, if you’re staying here, you will need a place. Follow me.” I got my candle and led him to the top floor. I could’ve put him in any room in there – they were all empty, anyway, and besides, I was assigned to clean the upper floor after the Gathering–, but my feet led me to the very last door on the long corridor: Jay’s room. I opened the door to let Omen in, and I stood at the entrance as he took my candle and went all over the room lighting the candles that were scattered all over. It seemed impossible that just some days ago, I had been lying on that bed with Jay without any other concern other than being caught by somebody at the inn. Now, the whole city was surrounded by guards who were looking for the fugitives who had tried to kill the King, I had found out I wasn’t Jay’s only woman, and Omen, who I thought I would never see again, had appeared out of nowhere. Once again, things were changing too fast and going in a direction I wasn’t really certain about, and it scared me.

“This is certainly the best room I’ve had in a very long time.” Omen said, interrupting my thoughts. “You know I can never thank you enough for what you’re doing, Sara.”

“Don’t. I told you already, there’s nothing to thank for, just...stay alive and well. That’s the biggest “thank you” I could ever get. That and...” My voice trailed off, as I remembered Adrian.

“You know I can’t tell you anything. It’s too risky, especially now.” Omen spoke as if he was reading my thoughts. “But I can send a message from you to Adrian when I return.” Omen meant well, but I was at a loss for words. The last image I had of my brother came into my mind: his face looking much older in a matter of moments, his eyes looking straight at me with fierce intensity as he said the words that were still haunting me until this day. I laughed bitterly. Nothing I said would ever convey the whole story, the questions I had struggled to answer after everything that happened, trying to put all the pieces together. Suddenly, I started feeling angry.

“Tell him that I hope I’ll never see him again because I don’t know what I will do to him if that day ever comes.” I reached for my candle and I headed towards the door.

“Sara....” Omen started, but before he could finish, I left the room and closed the door behind me. I quickly walked down the corridor, as this great sadness came over me and tears started falling, and though I tried to stop them, I had lost control. I sat on the first step and there, in the darkness, where no one could see me, I wept.