I’ve been in andout of consciousness. My mouth and throat feel full of sand, my voice buried and it’s hard to swallow. I try to muster up the strength to look around, but even my eyes feel full of grit. The carriage I'm in is bumping and bouncing on the uneven path it takes. My tongue rolls out over my cracked lips, doing nothing to help the burn. Warm air within the small space doesn't help with my intense thirst either. If I don’t get water soon, I’m as good as dead.
A heaviness settles into my chest as I think of Kait and her listless body as they pulled her from the caves before me. Last I saw her, she was on the edge of the veil. I hate to think of thepossibility that she could be dead now, and that there was nothing I could do to stop it. I’m alone, and they have me secured to the floor by heavy metal chains, ensuring I cannot escape.
Traveling at quick speed, we hit a bump, and the momentum sends me forward. My face hits the floor hard, causing my head to throb in response. They must have drugged me with something to block me from shifting or from using my magic because I don’t sense a protection barrier on the carriage itself as I did in the caves, but I still don’t have access to my magic, and I feel like I’m spinning. The world tilts on its axis.
Muffled yelling reaches my ears from a distance, not uncommon when traveling with the regime, but when we stop suddenly, hope surges to life. This may be my chance. When the voices carry again they are closer. The door at the back is ripped open, the bright light of the sun bursts into the small space, blinding me momentarily, and my hope is snuffed out as quickly as it surfaced.
“Oh good, you’re awake. If this is your brother or that bitch Raelle causing a ruckus up ahead in an attempt to rescue your sorry ass, I will kill you now, so help me.” Cano spits in my direction, his figure just a shadow looming in the doorway. I don’t have the ability to say anything to him. The thickness of my tongue makes it impossible. I watch from where I am chained with hooded eyes. Men run in all directions, weaving in and out of the convoy. Swords are being unsheathed as they run ahead of where I’m being held captive.
I hear the screech and growls at the same time Cano does. “Fuck.” He curses. He unsheathes his short sword and climbs into the carriage with me, slowly easing the door shut. Hiding away like the coward he is.
Screamsof terror begin closing in on us, along with the snaps and snarls of the Raskins, and from the sounds of it, there are a hell of a lot of them. Too many. Cano realizes it too and curses again. “Motherfucker. Can you move?” He looks at me. I can’t. There is no way, with the way that I’m feeling, not to mention the chains... but if I could get him to remove the chains…
“We’re both dead if they make it to us.” I rasp out. “Unchain me. Let me—”
A sudden crash jostles the carriage we are in and sends me falling into Cano. I manage to get myself up and look over to see that, in the commotion, Cano was knocked out. His limp body lying right next to me. I could kill him here and now. As I think about that option, a loud screech sounds so close that it vibrates the wood floor I’m kneeling on. That’s when I decide, self-preservation over revenge,for now. I need to get free. I need to see if there is any way I can get to Kait and Mel and get the fuck out of here. This is probably the only time I will ever be happy to see a Raskin.
I lean over as far as I can reach, stretching my arm to the point of pain. My fingers brush the canteen strapped to Cano’s hip, and I snag the strap, pulling it in. Then I grab the keys that are attached to his belt. I chug warm water from the canteen, choking as it goes down my raw throat. The ache there is a little more bearable as the water, even warm, soothes the burn. I fumble through the keys and try to be silent as I attempt each one, not wanting to wake Cano or attract a Raskin before I'm ready to defend myself. After the fourth key, there is a click, and the metal chains fall free from my wrists. “Fuck yes,” I whisper. Without hesitation, I scoot to the door; the hinge creaks as I inch it open. I don’t hear the screams of the soldiers anymore, but what I do hear is even more disturbing.Ripping and crunching of skin and bone as the Raskin's tear into each man they have slain, devouring their fear first, then their flesh.
Before I climb out, I grab the short sword that Cano had dropped. Scooting to the edge of the carriage, I drop to the dirt below with a soft thud. I sway on my feet a moment before I glance back, just as Cano is waking up. Our gazes lock, and a snarl builds at his lips, but no noise breaks free. He knows that any sound would alert the Raskin's that there is more food to be had here, and they would swarm. I give him a little salute and a mocking grin, then I do something I may regret. I slam the door open wide with a bang. I storm around the carriage and slap the horse’s hind quarter as I run past with a laugh. Cano’s string of profanities carries to me as the horse takes off in a gallop. Cano may die today, or he may live to see another day. Either way, I will get my revenge.
Raskin's come from every direction, snarling, snapping their razor teeth, and making a horrible rasping sound with every breath. The muscles in my legs burn. The steady ache from my time being held prisoner weakened me beyond anything I've felt before. Though unsteady, I run toward the nearest carriage. Praying to the gods that it holds either my sister or Kait. When I think the coast is clear, I ease the door open. Empty. “Damnit.” I curse. Running to the next, I stumble a little, my head still foggy. I lean against the side of the second, trying to catch my breath and steady my balance. The raspy breaths of a Raskin can be heard nearby, too close for comfort. I slowly peek around the back, coming face to face with one of the bat-nosed demon dogs. I jump back and roll under the carriage just as it snaps its razor-sharp teeth at my face. On the other side of the carriage, there is a downed soldier. I take the dagger from his ankle holster; the smaller blade better for closecontact. Just as I roll back to where the Raskin was, it lunges with a snarl. I plunge the blade deep into its throat, cutting off the growl before it makes too much noise. Gold dust plumes into the air and blows away on a breeze. I drop my head back in disbelief.
“For fucks sake, that was close.” A male voice says as a shadow of a man towers over me. “I thought you were a goner. I’m glad to see that your training wasn’t for nothing.” He reaches out a gloved hand as he drops the hood of his cloak back with the other.
“Miles?” A laugh escapes me. “Thank the gods.” Relieved, I take his hand, and he helps me to my feet, putting an arm around me for support.
“Let’s get out of here. I have the girls already at the tree line with horses.”
“Thank fuck.” I grumble as we make our way to the treeline.
Words cannot even explain the emotions I feel when I see Kait and Mel up on a horse waiting for me and Miles. My chest is so tight, it's at risk of cracking open. I honestly didn’t think I would see them again. Especially Kait, with the condition she was in when I last saw her, but there they are sitting atop a hazel mare, scared as hell, eyes wide, but alive. I’ll fucking take it. I will owe Miles until the day I die for this.
Two horses are waiting beside the girls. One black as night, and I recognize him immediately as Dax’s stallion, Alvis. A smile spreads across my face as I brush my hand along his powerful neck. “Hey, boy. It’s been too fucking long. Let’s get the hell out of here, yeah? Let’s find Dax.” Miles nods his head once at me as he takes the reins of the black and white mare just ahead of Alvis. I give him a small pat, then hoist myself into the saddle with much more effort than ever before.
We ride for a while in silence, not wanting to attract the attention of Raskin. After a few miles, Mel breaks the silence.
“Thank you, Miles.” She says this as she wipes tears from her dirt and blood-covered cheeks. Miles tucks his chin in a nod.
“I would do anything for you, sweet Melani. Your mother and father were great friends of mine, and if I had not come to look for you and your brothers, I would not be fulfilling my promise to always serve and protect you and the Ravendene name. Plus, you have always been my favorite.” He winks.
“Regardless of that, I also want to thank you, Miles. Without you, I’m not sure where we would be right now.” I add. He gives a curt nod to me as well. Kait’s not looking at anyone; her head hung and the hood of her cloak obscuring her face. I’m starting to get a little worried. Her physical wounds are healing now that we are within the Ravendene territory, but it’s the ones of her mind and what I can’t see that worries me most. What those men did to her in the caves before they brought her back to us… beaten so badly that she was almost unrecognizable. That kind of wound will take more than magic to heal.
“Maybe we should stop at the lake up ahead? Water the horses and rest for a short while?” I ask the group. There is a yes and a nod from Mel and Miles, but again, nothing from Kait. “Kait? Are you doing okay?” I ask her.
“I’m well enough,” she says, barely audible. I don’t push her for more, though. We continue the ride, only the sound of the horse’s hooves in the dirt, puffs of their breathing, and the quiet sounds of the forest filling the silence.
As we reach the lake, I dismount first, bringing Alvis over to Miles so he can get them to the water. I then headover to Melani and Kait. I help Mel down and give her a little squeeze, placing a kiss atop her head, then send her over to Miles as well. I reach my hand up to Kait, and she hesitates to take it before she finally extends her arm to take my aid. She goes to turn away, but I catch her by the wrist.
“Please, Kait, will you talk to me?” My voice cracking on a whisper. She doesn’t turn to face me, but she doesn’t pull away either. I hold her hand as I stalk around her, but she refuses to lift her head. She flinches as I reach for the hood, but she allows me to drop it, keeping her face tilted to the ground. I bring my hand up, lifting her chin with two fingers, revealing her face to me.
Her eyes are closed, but I see what she has been trying to hide. A jagged pink and purple-hued raised scar cuts across her face, starting at the middle of her forehead. It slices through her right eye and down the side of her face down her neck, stopping just below her ear. Anger. Anger so rabid it boils within me. I know I can’t hold back my shift for long. A tremble works its way into my hand as I try. I manage to brush my thumb over the sensitive skin on her cheek. Leaning down, I whisper into her ear for only her to hear.
“If he still lives, he will be sorry he ever laid a hand on you. He will know many deaths before we are done with him. If there is anything that I can promise you, it is that. When the time does come for him to breathe his final breath, you will be the one who takes it from him. If that is what you wish.” She opens her eyes to look into mine and tears well there. “You are as beautiful as you are vicious, and what he has done to you changes nothing of that. A warrior wears their scars as a testament to their victories.Youare a warrior, Kait.” A silent tear falls over the scar as she bites down onher lower lip, which has begun to tremble. I take a few steps back, and my eyes turn a molten copper as my large black and blue-hued feathered wings burst from my back and my face distorts into a sinister shadowed mask. I clap my wings once and burst into flight. I soar across the lake with my hands and arms engulfed in the fire of my rage.
Chapter twenty-six
I've spent the greaterpart of the day either running from or fighting off Raskin’s, thanks to that asshole Trent. Luckily only a small fraction of them followed the carriage until the horse was eventually taken down. I used the distraction of most of them feeding on the poor bastard to run. When only a few followed, I ended them. I only wish I would have ended Trent when I had the bastard. Now I have to start this fucking thing from square one, and this time without the element of surprise. They can't hide forever. As soon as I get back to Ravendene, I will have a search party going after all of them, but this time I will make Trent watch while I peel all the layers of Kait back. My hands shake as frustration and anger try to overwhelm me. The quick in and out of my breaths makes my head spin, but my steps don’t waver. Ineed to reach whatever village is closest as soon as possible, or else I risk running into another group of Raskin, and this time I’m not sure I would win with this amount of exhaustion weighing on me.
