Evander had said not to run, but the conscripts behind her were growing restless. She could sense the rising floodwaters of their fear. She didn’t have time to be cautious.
She cast an ill-advised glance behind her. Evander was shaking his head vigorously.
Valenna looked over her shoulder at the girls and mouthed, “We run.”
They nodded.
Valenna took a deep breath and plunged toward the light, trying not to think about how far the drop, how narrow the path. Any second, she expected to be caught up by the dragobat and borne away to some nest or dropped into the void, but when the scream came, it echoed behind her. She couldn’t afford to look back. She dove into the sunlight. The conscripts thudded beside her, panting. Samara. Elspeth. Rosemary. All here. All safe.
Valenna sat up. Evander’s group had already started. They had distracted the dragobat so she could escape.
So Evander hadn’t been panicking; he was too busy planning.Acting.
A captain to his core.
Valenna knelt, her knees brushing the shadow. From this end of the tunnel, it seemed a short journey, only about twenty paces. But Haldir was holding onto Evander’s shoulders from behind. She wanted to yell at Haldir to let him go. If he lost his nerve or lost his footing, he’d drag Evander down with him.
Samara joined Valenna.
Evander threw the first stone, and the dragobat’s talons groped for it. The creature was growing frustrated, more ferocious with each disappointment.
When the second stone struck, the claws were already waiting for it, curled at the edge of the bridge.
Haldir’s restlessness was palpable; his breaths echoed. Valenna caught a movement above the bridge, and she craned her neck to make it out.Two yellow orbs glowed above them.
The creature had moved.
Valenna gasped and, catching Evander’s eyes, pointed. He barely had enough time for a sharp inhale before a blur of black streaked toward him. He slid to his knees, and something swooped above him, its talon scraping his jacket.
With a yelp, Haldir tried to shove Evander aside so he could pass him. Off balance, Evander caught Haldir’s arm in an attempt to steady himself. They wavered, then disappeared over the edge.
“NO!” Valenna screamed. Samara grabbed her, trying to stop her; she swore and shook the girl off. Charged down the path.
No, no, no, not here. Not like this. Not when they were so, so close to freedom.
Giles and Ignatius were on their stomachs, reaching over the edge. Valenna slid beside them and let out a sob of relief. Evanderand Haldir clung to the edge of the pathway, suspended over nothing. Valenna tore off one of her boots and hurled it further down the path. The dragobat swooped after it, a blur of black and crooked wings.
Valenna gripped Evander’s arm. He was trying to climb up, but his fingers slid.
“No, get Haldir first,” Evander panted.
Valenna almost laughed. If Evander thought she was going to save that sniveling coward and let him fall, he was out of his mind. She grasped a handful of his jacket and tugged, trying to pull him up, but to her horror, Ignatius and Giles followed orders like good little soldiers, and together they dragged Haldir to safety.Caught behind Valenna and unable to run, he lay on his stomach and covered his head with his arms.
Wings beat the rank air. Valenna clutched Evander, expecting the talons to dig into her flesh and carry her away. As the wind buffeted her, someone shouted, “Here!”
Samara was running down the bridge. The creature swooped into view, the sunlight shining on its fat, scaly belly and its pointed, fox-like face. It let out its piercing cry when the light touched it.
Samara hefted a stone onto her shoulder and cast it into the void. The dragobat spiraled after it, chirping.
“Help me!” Valenna cried.
Ignatius and Giles bent down and helped Evander to solid ground, then he hauled Haldir to his feet, and they ran. Valenna’s neck prickled. Her one boot pounded hollowly. Sunlight warmed her cheeks; she was suddenly breaking out of the shadows, into the bright morning. She spun around, eager to share her relief with Evander.
“We made it!” she began, but as Evander reached the exit, the dragobat shot out of the depths. He slidthrough the opening as it dove behind him and sank its talons into Haldir.
Blood spattered Evander’s face. He lunged out and clamped both hands around Haldir’s leg.
The dragobat flapped its wings, lifting Haldir into the air. Evander hung on, and Valenna jumped on him, looping her arm around his chest. Tugging.
