Liam backed away, pale-green eyes glued to mine. "I've never been caught."
I watched him until I could bear it no longer, until the urge to flee nearly overwhelmed me. Forcing my head away, I raced down the road.
Cranking chains greeted my ears when I returned to the square. Reese darted out from a group of soldiers and rushed to my side. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I handed him his mare's reins. "Ready to hunt a dragon?"
“Scádes aren't technically dragons," he said playfully, mounting his horse. "We'll see if you're ready for the real thing after tonight."
I tried to voice a witty retort, but my throat dried up. Climbing up onto my elk, I drew Cierthine and tried to breathe.
Reese grabbed my hand. "The moment you need me,yell."
"Why?" I tried to still my hand, but he must have felt me shaking. "So you'll know I've died?"
"No. So I know to let go."
I tilted my head, confused.
"Just make sure to bring me back afterward." He released my hand. "Come on. Stick close."
Clicking my heels into my elk, I followed his white horse through the gates. What did he mean? Rumors said Cleiv Solais only picked men with tempers as fiery as their blood.
Reese had been so even-keeled, I couldn't imagine him as anything else.
We passed under Tsuyan's gate, and I watched it crank closed behind us.
No going back now.
I turned around, scanning the outskirts of the city: a handful of scattered homes and tents.
Tents.
I gasped. "The refugees! Did they never let them in?"
"No," Reese called back. "If we're quick, we can save them."
Across the fields of snow, I saw someone dart into their house and slam the door closed. It wouldn't be enough.
A shaggy brown horse galloped toward us from the dark. Its rider raised a horn and blew. A deep, resonating tone soared through the dark.
The scout passed us, heading for the gates. A bell started ringing a moment later.
"They're already here.” Reese looked toward the pitch-black sky. "Can you hear it?"
I closed my eyes, tuning out the alarm bells and horn.
A faint hum droned in my ear, growing stronger and stronger. The same I heard in Galasvar, in Gwynford.
I pressed deeper, seeking it. If these beasts felt a kinship with me, could I not also feel one with them?
The hum focused, narrowing. It came from the east, down a steep hill.
"This way," I shouted, turning my elk.
Reese's horse thundered after me, quickly catching and passing me. Cleiv Solais gleamed gold against the night. Misty plumes from my frozen breath painted the world white, and smudges where distant crystals glowed faint blue guided my path.
My elk slowed as we descended the hill. A grove of dead trees waited below, and hidden between their boughs I spied deep shadow, and a flicker of light.
