Sebastian or Caia were there to block her every time she almost succeeded. Caden and Van took turns wounding the beast, chipping away at her strength until finally she sagged to the ground, her energy spent as her life drained away from her.
She made one last mournful cry as if calling to her mate before she finally went still.
Caia wheeled, nickering and tossing her head as if to proclaim victory.
Gawain eyed the horse. "There's a legend among the Trateri of horses who fought on their rider's behalf." He gave Eva a sidelong glance. "Such a horse would be prized by any clan who claimed her."
"Your clans will have to admire her from afar. Caia's picky about who she chooses to let ride her."
If they were lucky, those who tried to ride her without Caia's approval would be thrown. The unlucky would be thrown then dragged as far as Caia could manage before Eva or Jason caught and stopped her.
It had happened before. Numerous times.
Even Hardwick didn't dare ride her without Caia's permission. It was one of the reasons no one had argued when Caia and Eva adopted each other.
Gawain's response was lost as Van withdrew his spear from the red back only to thrust it into the beast again and again.
Eva flinched at the wet sounds, her discomfort rising.
"The beast is dead. There's no reason to stab it again," Eva barked, unable to stop herself from interfering.
It bothered her to see the red back's treatment, even if it was already dead. Poor thing had already suffered enough at human hands. No need to carry that into death as well.
A part of her understood Van's vindictiveness. The red back had attacked them. Not the other way around.
The Trateri held little mercy for humans who made that mistake. Why should a beast be treated any different?
There was a frown on Van's face that quickly smoothed into neutral lines at the sight of Eva. The clan member beside him wasn't as reserved.
"Who in the Broken Lands is this?" The man made a rude gesture at Eva. "When did throwaways decide their opinions mattered?"
Anger rose. She wasn't a throwaway. How many more times would she need to explain that?
Eva breathed deep, holding the inhale before exhaling slowly in a bid to regain control. She just needed a moment to get the anger under control.
Only when she'd found a modicum of calm did she study the man.
Like Van, he was huge. Not quite as large as Lion Clan's leader but bulkier than most, given his broad shoulders and legs the size of tree trunks. He wore a sleeveless tunic that left his tattooed arms bare. Their intricate patterns on full display. His hair was pulled back from his face in a short, bushy tail.
The man frowned at her, unaware that death stalked him in the form of Caden as her warrior sidled close, blade held at his side and a look in his eyes that Eva wouldn't want to be on the opposite side of.
"Well? Not going to answer my question? Are you a mute?" the man asked, still unaware.
Van's face was careful as he moved with Caden, keeping his posture cautious and non-confrontational.
"Quiet, Warin," Van ordered with a strained expression.
Buck's snicker was mocking. "I always knew Lion Clan relied more on brute force rather than brains, but I hadn't honestly thought any of you were this stupid."
The words defused the tension as Caden relaxed.
Warin glowered at Buck. "Keep flapping your gums. See what I do."
"I'm so scared."
"You should be. If it wasn't for Shea, people would have dealt with you a long time ago."
"Careful, Warin," Buck warned, the sarcasm sliding from his face. "There are a lot of people who don't take kindly to others bad mouthing Shea."
