Earth's Requiem(24)

Trusting Rune’s instincts, she melted into the shadows of a tree that would shield her from something airborne. The wolf didn’t bother. He didn’t have to. His natural form was an effective disguise. For a ridiculous moment, she wondered if she could learn to shapeshift along with Healing and Hunting, and then she laughed silently to herself. Taking different forms was a Lemurian skill. No human had mastered it. At least, she didn’t think any had.

She trained her senses on the skies, eyes narrowed in concentration. As surreptitiously as possible, she pulled power from the earth, keeping her magic out of the air. The wing beats got louder. Clearly, whatever was coming wasn’t interested in stealth—which meant they hadn’t zeroed in on her. Or else they were so strong, they didn’t fear anything. Not a comfortable thought.

Aislinn caught sight of a leathery wingtip and cringed. Bats, but probably not normal ones. It was rare to find animals nowadays that hadn’t been turned by one side or the other. Hunters used bond animals like Rune to expand their ability to seek out and destroy the enemy. If Rune thought the bats were a threat, they probably were.



“Draw one breath and fire,” the wolf said.



“What will—?”

“I will help you when they get close enough to pull out of the skies.”



The minute she loosed her magic, the bats would be on them. So far, they hadn’t been discovered. If she stilled her power and Rune acted more like a forest wolf and less like a bond animal, the bats might just pass on by. They had to be headed for their cave. Nocturnal creatures, the daylight must be uncomfortable for them.



“We may not have to fight. Pretend you are hunting. I will mute myself.”



He didn’t answer, but she knew he’d heard. He sauntered away from her, sprang, and pulled a mouse from scrub grass and pine needles. The next rodent he pounced on looked larger, more like a marmot. Rune dragged it into the shadow of a boulder and proceeded to rip its guts open.

Aislinn became one with the tree next to her, borrowing its energy to cover hers. Barely breathing, she willed the winged mammals on their way. They filled the skies above her now. Their sharp, high-pitched squeals were loud in her ears. They sounded angry about something. The bulk of them flew on. She was close to congratulating herself on calling this one right, when half a dozen wheeled back, heading right for Rune.





What the fuck? Bats don’t attack things fifty times larger than themselves.

“Rune. Swim to the middle of the lake. Stay there.”



The wolf exploded from his place. Long before the bats reached where he’d been, she heard a splash and knew he was following her directions. She’d been afraid he’d argue with her. Chittering like little mad things, the bats picked up the remains of the marmot and suspended it between four of them. Burdened by the dead animal, they flew low, but at least they left. She waited before she risked sending magic skyward to make certain they were gone.

Inhaling a steadying breath, letting it out, and pulling in another, Aislinn thanked the tree for helping shield her, shouldered her rucksack, and loped to the lake. Her wolf paddled in slow circles, wearing an annoyed expression.

“Come on. Let’s get moving while we can.” She smiled at him. He looked like a large drowned rat.

Rune made the shore far faster than she expected. The second he hauled his body out of the water, he stalked over to her and shook himself, spraying her with droplets. “You will never order me away from you again when there is danger.”

“I’m just glad you listened. Don’t you see? This was better than having to fight. Neither one of us are hurt—”

“We must be equal partners.” He growled low in the back of his throat, hackles at half-mast. “The bond means I obey you, whether or not it’s what I want. I loved Marta, but she forced her will on me. In the end, it meant her death.”

She looked at Rune and extended compassion through their bond, hoping it would soothe his obvious pain. “I did not know. Truly. Remember, I am not trained as a Hunter.” She sank a tentative hand into his wet ruff. “When there is little time to discuss strategy, what would you have us do?”

“I had a plan—” he began and then snapped off the next words so hard, his teeth clacked together.

“And it may well have worked.” She stroked his head and shoulders. Water squeaked beneath her fingers. “Rune, we are newly met. It will take time for me to discover your strengths and for you to appreciate mine.”

“I am sorry.” He really did look contrite. “Wanting you to do my bidding was not any different than you ordering me about.” He nuzzled her side.