Seeker (Riders #2)(79)

"We need to get Bas out of here, Gideon."

"We all need to get out of here, Daryn. That includes you." Why do I even have to say this? What's she thinking? That I'd be okay with leaving her in here? With Samrael? "And what if the orb breaks?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know."

The howling grows louder. It's coming from two directions, like the bands are working together on a flanking maneuver.

"Either we ride now," Samrael says, "or we die."

As much as it kills me to admit, it's true. We're about to be overrun. Evasion is the only real option. "Let's get moving."

Everyone mounts up.

Samrael brings forward two horses-big dapple-grays. There's a quick discussion between Bas and Daryn that I can't hear, and then she's swinging into one of the saddles.



       
         
       
        

"Daryn, what-"

"If we have to fight, it'll be easier if we're not both on Riot."

True, but I hate the idea. I want her with me or on Shadow, but we're mobilizing before I know it.

Samrael leads the way, so. I follow him.

A demon.





CHAPTER 29

DARYN

We race through the trees at a breakneck pace. A dangerous pace.

Any stumble or unseen branch could be deadly. But the Harrows are deadly without question, so we ride like our lives depend on it.

My gray gelding is slower than Shadow and the other horses. I lose my spot near the front and fall to the back. Samrael, also on an ordinary horse, drops to the rear of the group with me.

Up ahead, Gideon sees me and tries to slow Riot. The others notice too-Jode, Marcus, Bas-all of them drawing back.

"No! Go! Keep going!" I yell, but it's useless.

In moments, it's undeniable: No matter how fast we ride, we won't be fast enough. The Harrows are closing in. Almost as though they knew exactly the direction we'd take.

When their smoky reek reaches me, I know we have minutes, maybe seconds, before we see them bounding toward us, all sharp claws and depthless eyes.

"We're too many! Too visible!" Samrael calls forward.

It's true. In the darkness, Lucent and Riot are impossible to conceal, and Ruin's bronze coat is hardly better. They're homing beacons.

My earlier idea resurfaces. I make a snap decision. "Stop! Stop!"

They all react instantly.

Horses squeal and twist as they come to a halt, and shouts of surprise erupt around me.

Taking advantage of the commotion, I slip my knife from the side pocket of my backpack and hide it under my shirt.

"We can't run. They're all around us," I say.

"We can't fight, either," Samrael says.

"Coward," Gideon lashes at him. "We're not lying down. We fight."

"You're hearing the scouts. There are scores more behind them."

As they argue, I maneuver my horse closer to Samrael's. Then I slip my feet out of the stirrups and count to three.

With a burst of strength, I pull my feet onto the saddle's seat and push off, leaping onto Samrael's horse. I land behind him and hook my arm around his neck.

Startled, his horse springs forward. I'm jolted back but I hold on, prepared for it. Then I lay the knife blade under his chin. "Don't move."

"I'm only steadying the horse," he says.

"Daryn, what are you doing?" Gideon asks.

My hand holding the knife is shaking. I'm sure Samrael can tell. "I'm opening the portal." I reach behind me with my free hand, into my backpack. "You guys need to go. You have to get out. I'm the only one who has to stay. Bas, I'll stay to see if what you said is true." 

I don't know why I don't say what I mean specifically. I'll stay to see if Samrael is worthy enough to be let out of here.

The words just don't come out.

"How does that help?" Jode sounds desperate. Our situation is desperate. "You'll still be in danger."

Samrael is the one who answers. "One horse will be less visible than a cavalcade. I can hide one horse. We can evade them."

"Two." Gideon withdraws his sword with a hiss of metal. "I'm staying, too. Marcus, Jode-get Bas out of here. Go."

This isn't what I want, but I know I won't change his mind. I don't even have time to try.

"If you try to go through the portal," I warn Samrael, pressing the blade harder against his neck, "you'll make a killer out of me."

I toss the orb into the air before I can think about what I just said.

Samrael's back straightens as he sees it hovering there. The quest for the orb was an obsession for the Kindred last fall. It felled every one of its members except Samrael.

I open the portal, the process familiar now, instinctive.