“What changed your mind?” Shea’s voice was thin.
He tilted his head thoughtfully. Before he could speak, the clip-clop of several horse’s hooves reached them.
Braden stiffened and doused the light from his torch. It was all the distraction Shea needed. She darted into the shadows and away from Braden. Rushing headlong into the darkness, praying she didn’t trip.
There was a muffled shout behind her, but no sound of pursuit.
She slowed to a quick walk, fearing if she continued running she’d kill herself faster than any enemy ever could.
Alone, darkness pressing in on her, she looked around in the pale light. She hadn’t noticed it before, but the stones glowed ever so slightly when there was no other light around. As her eyes adjusted, the green blue glow became more pronounced. She lifted her hand to touch a stone wall next to her.
“Bioluminescence.”
In nature, there was evidence of some animals—mostly bugs and microscopic organisms—that glowed in the dark. She’d heard tales of entire lakes that took on an otherworldly glow on the darkest of nights, but only during certain periods of the year. She had never been lucky enough to see such an event herself.
Her fingers came away with a slight glow. If she had to guess, she’d say there was some type of algae or plant growing on the stone of the city. The light from the torches must have made it impossible to see. No light, and suddenly she could see each building, softly glowing before her.
It was a breathtaking, utterly unique experience.
She wished Fallon was here to see it, but perhaps he was noticing something similar right now wherever he was.
The clip-clop of horse’s hooves reached her. The rider had been partially responsible for helping her escape Braden. She’d have to give them her thanks later.
Right now, she had to decide if she wanted to call this person’s attention to her. She was still in the same situation as before. Alone, lightly armed, and with the knowledge that no one was supposed to have left the camp.
The glow of the city beside her dimmed as the rider drew near, a torch in hand. Shea stepped back into the shadows, hoping to get a glimpse of the person. Perhaps that would help her make a decision.
She didn’t have long to wait as a trio of riders came into view. The first two men tugged at her memory, but she still couldn’t place them. The last one, however, had her stepping out of her darkened corner.
“Charles.”
He, at least, she recognized. He was probably out here looking for Clark. While still against orders, it was understandable he wouldn’t want to abandon his friend. The men with him were regular attendees of the beast class.
The men looked around, their eyes searching in the dim light. Shea walked closer to them, her movement calling their attention.
Charles eyes widened in surprise. “Telroi, what are you doing out of camp?”
Shea gave him a sheepish grin. “Would you believe I got lost?”
The three men gave each other a long look.
“It would be very difficult to believe that,” Charles said. His two friends steered their horses in a wide circle to either side of Shea, until the three stood one in front and two on either side.
Shea watched them carefully. Perhaps Braden had her paranoid, but the actions struck her as vaguely threatening.
“What are you and your friends doing out here?” Shea asked, looking around. “I thought Caden ordered no one to leave camp.”
She knew he had, because she was the one to give the order.
Charles tilted his head, the look in his eyes flat even as he regarded her with little expression.
Now that she thought about it, Charles had always been Clark’s friend. Not hers.
“Yes, he did, didn’t he?” Charles said, unsheathing his sword from where it was strapped to his saddle. Shea took a careful step backward, her eyes checking on the two other men. “I suppose lying at this late stage would just be a waste of energy. You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
“Not now that you’ve drawn that sword,” Shea told him.
A grin flashed across his face and then was gone, leaving his expression as dead and lifeless as before.
