The shock of the close call wore off, bringing Eva back to herself. She let up on the reins, relieved when Caia didn't try to bolt.
The mare stood still, her head hanging down as her sides heaved.
The smell of burnt ozone was present even over the rain.
Eva made soothing noises as she bent forward to stroke Caia's neck, catching sight of Jason's prone body as she did so.
"Oh no," Eva said.
She shifted Brisa, carefully balancing her on Caia's back as she dismounted.
She looped the reins over Caia's neck and hurried toward Jason. Panic filled her thoughts. Worry Jason had been stricken by the lightning or taken a bad fall made it impossible to focus.
Eva reached Jason and fell to her knees beside him.
He sat up with a groan. "I'm fine."
Eva couldn't let herself be certain of that until she checked him out. She ran her hands over his arms and torso, her gaze searching for any wounds.
Jason caught her hands. "Eva, I promise. I'll live."
Eva gave him an impulsive hug. The emotions she felt, the relief over his safety, the abrupt cessation of fear, spilled over into that hug. Along with the love she felt for him.
Jason was her brother. Maybe not by birth or blood, but he'd come to mean as much to her as her sister.
"You scared me," Eva confessed.
Jason squeezed her, the only sign of how much her actions meant to him.
The moment was soon broken by the sound of movement down the canyon. Jason drew back, panic on his face.
"They're coming," Eva said. "We have to go."
Eva helped Jason stand, supporting him as he took a step and nearly fell. Together they lurched to the side before Eva caught her balance, lowering him to the ground.
"It's my ankle. I don't think I can walk," Jason said as Eva busied herself examining his leg.
He flinched, drawing his foot away as she tried to rotate it.
"It's sprained," Eva said in a flat voice.
Her mind raced. Caia couldn't carry three people. Not for long and not for very fast. Without Jason's horse, their options were limited.
Eva closed her eyes, trying to think. She just needed a moment. A single second to consider her options.
Only life wasn't going to give her that.
Already, she could hear their pursuers, their voices eager as if they sensed they were close. They must have run into Jason's horse.
Eva had seconds to decide.
Stay or go.
Jason pushed her away. "Go. You have to."
Eva didn't move, her head shook slightly.
"Go! I don't want you here." Jason's voice cracked.
