Chapter 33
Evella gazed at her husband – the God who laid his universe at her feet – and her heart split. His love was nought but obsession. Turning away from Vyrus, she returned to Eusis, to us.
— THE HISTORIES AND PROPHECIES OF THE STAR-CROSSED GODS: CHRONICLES OF VYRUS
Coughing, I spat out the ashy dust Pumpkin’s hooves threw up as we tore towards the dark stain of Graig Du.
The little pony had a huge heart, but the hunters had ill-treated him for too long.
His steps faltered as we approached the shadowy mound, and a rock settled in my guts knowing he couldn’t go on much longer.
My heart stuttered as the light grew. I squinted towards the dark hills, my breathing hitching at what appeared to be huge, obsidian skeletons standing guard.
The pony continued forward, the thunder of his hooves ebbing with each passing second.
No fear came from the little steed. There was no doubt I could trust him as I did Pablo.
I took a furtive glance over my shoulder. Something hovered on the horizon. As the hunters had been the only other form of life out here, I could only assume it was them. From what I’d learned of these hills, they were littered with caves. Caves where I could hide in wait for my pursuers.
But I wasn’t outrunning anyone – I was attempting to evade elite hunters, relentless trackers, in a bleak landscape, with no provisions or weapons.
‘If you let me survive this, Evella,’ I muttered, ‘I’ll become a damned Sister myself.’
As Pumpkin faltered, the skeletons came into view.
Squinting, I blew out a relieved breath.
They were no ebony bones, but trees. Decaying, blackened, spindly trees.
The pony stumbled. I slid forward, begging him to halt as his sides heaved.
I jumped down, wincing at the sting in my still throbbing ankle.
Squinting over my shoulder, I cursed as the blobs on the horizon gained ground at a terrifying rate.
I grabbed his halter and dragged Pumpkin through the trees at the base of the cliffs.
My skin prickled as we wove our way through, trying our hardest not to touch the pitch black forest. Each tree was devoid of vegetation; not a single leaf, no grass under our feet, not even a sliver of moss.
No birds sang from their branches. At this point I’d have welcomed a glistening web, shining with early morning dew, as some sign of life.
A shred of bronze broke free through the onyx trunk. Amber or perhaps the Vyrium we sought. A shout – so much closer than I expected, forced a stream of quiet curses from my lips.
We stumbled through the trees, the ground littered with Graig Du’s dark stones. Pumpkin snorted, pulling on his halter. I froze, ice pooling in my guts as the only sounds were our ragged breaths, my deafening pulse. Everything about this place was a warning to flee.
The land rolled upwards, a writhing mass of shadow, towards the cliffs and caves.
Pumpkin whickered, tugging against my hold.
I sent a message to slow his heartbeat, urging him to calm.
Winding our way through the thinning trees, I sent a silent prayer to Evella they’d provide us with some cover.
The little horse would never manage the cliffs, but the thought of leaving him here to be found by the hunters filled me with guilt.
I hesitated as I gazed up, shielding my eyes from the white glare of the sun’s rays, a knot twisting within.
I swallowed, my breaths ragged at the unmistakable crack of a twig snapping.
They’d found me.
Grabbing Pumpkin, I kissed his neck and told him to double back, hoping he’d lead them away. As grateful as I was for his rescue, I’d nothing to offer the little pony except death. I limped forward, the safety of the caves a short, painful climb away.
I tripped over a blackened stump, falling hard to the ground when a multitude of screams, male screams, rent the air.
Furrowing my brows, I peered over my shoulder, desperate to calm my heaving breaths.
Were the hunters fighting? I bit my fist as a sack – no, a body I realised with a shudder – fell with a thud, and buried my face into the ashy ground.
I’d no desire to meet anything capable of taking out a hunter.
I strained my ears, searching for any signs.
Nothing. My heart was halfway out of my throat as I lifted my head a fraction.
The cliffs, their safety was damned close.
I crawled forward, the dust choking me even with my mouth shut.
A crash of smashing wood erupted behind me.
A charred tree tumbled. Pumpkin neighed, and I froze.
The hunters were definitely not alone. A shiver raced through me as another wet shriek split the air. Violet woke within my chest, writhing, desperate for the fresh corpse.
My forehead crashed to the ground as an agonised grunt sailed through the trees and the damned itch sparked on my neck.
For once, I made no effort to calm the thrashing of my gift.
If I was going to breathe my last, then I’d finally embrace it and claim the hunters’ souls.
I took a shuddering breath, picturing Matthias’s eyes as the ground trembled with the heavy tread of a predator.
Gentle hands slid down my shoulder, and I readied my tainted gift to seek the dead. Claim them.
‘I got you.’
My eyes flew open. A sob breaking through my dry lips as I grabbed Matthias. Palms slamming into his warmth, checking it was him. Truly him.
‘I’ve got you.’
My body convulsed as I yanked the thread back, collapsing into his arms. We crashed to the ground. I wanted to claim him, say his name, but words faltered on my dry lips. He was the sweetest whisper.
Soft hands framed my face and he pulled back, his wide eyes scanning me.
A laugh burst from me as I took him in. I barely made out those features I adored through my tears.
And my husband, my Matthias, wiped away each tear, begging me to tell him where I hurt.
Was I all right? My fists crashed against his chest, testing him, ensuring this man before me, cradling me, was real.
‘We’re here,’ he said, his voice as gentle as his hands. He swept my tangled hair from my face, gazing at me as though he’d discovered the rarest Vyrium and not a bedraggled woman on the brink of death.
‘We?’
The second the word left my mouth, the huge shaggy head of Pablo nuzzled into me so hard, he cracked my nose. I threw my arms around him, around them both.
‘He led me here,’ Matthias said, laying kisses on my temple. ‘I know you say he’s not your wolf but, damn Sorrow. He’s as much a part of you as your heart.’
Matthias stiffened, grabbing my elbow and hauling me up.
‘C’mon. We didn’t get them all. We need to get to—’
He crashed to his knees once more.
‘Where the fuck are your boots?’
His brows furrowed as another laugh exploded from me.
‘Back at the camp. I lost them.’
A low growl rolled through Pab. The next second Matthias cradled me in his arms, the steady beat of his heart against my sodden cheek.
‘Don’t you dare complain, Sorrow Villente.’
I laced my arms around his neck, another giggle spilling out.
‘Damned man! You can carry me till the end of time.’
I placed a weak kiss to the base of his neck; his grip tightened.
‘Always,’ he whispered. ‘Always.’
Then, keeping low, and clutching me close, he raced towards the rocky cliff face with a speed Vyrus would envy.