Chapter 18

Lexa hoped every day that Anya would arrive with news. But Anya never came. Indra came instead, a grim look on her face. Lexa felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Indra was wearing the symbol of the Trikru chief. Something had happened. Anya was no longer in charge.

"Indra, what news of Anya?" Lexa got right to the point.

"She was killed, Heda, by Skaikru. I'm sorry to bring this news," Indra said.

"What?! How could this have happened? What of her attack on Skaikru?"

"Things went badly, Heda. Skaikru was prepared. Anya attacked with 300 warriors, and Skaikru burned them all alive." Indra hung her head in respect for the dead.

Lexa leaned back in her throne. She felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. Who were these Sky People that they could kill 300 of her best warriors?

Indra continued, "Then the Mountain Men arrived. They captured over 40 of the Sky People. They've all vanished into the mountain. The rest of Skaikru scattered. And there's more. The rest of the Sky People have arrived. They fell from the sky in a huge structure. It acts as their new camp now. They are regrouping."

So basically, everything has gone to shit, Lexa thought. She didn't know what she was more upset about—Anya, the 300 dead warriors, the Mountain Men, or even more of these mysterious Sky People. One thing was clear though—it was time for her to clean up this mess herself. She could no longer stay in Polis and wait for news. She needed to address this threat personally. It was her duty.

"Indra," Lexa began. "I will personally accompany you back to Trikru lands. These threats upon our way of life will not stand. Blood must have blood."

"Jus drein just daun," Indra repeated back.

"We leave at dawn," Lexa said, her mind made up.

Lexa spoke to Titus and left him in charge of the day to day operations of Polis in her absence. Between Titus and her ambassadors, Lexa felt the city at least wouldn't fall apart while she was gone. She also made time to say goodbye to Aden before she left. Gustus and the rest of her personal guard would accompany her on her trip.

Lexa hadn't dreamed of the golden haired girl in several weeks. But, on this night, she did. The girl was scared. Running. In her dreams, Lexa saw her leap off the top of a waterfall, crashing into the frigid water below. But she wasn't alone. Anya was with her. Lexa sat bolt upright in bed, gasping for breath and drenched in sweat. Hold on, she thought, I'm coming. But she wasn't sure if she was saying it to Anya or the mysterious girl whose name she thought was Clarke.