Page 54 of Lucifer's Mirror
“We need to go after them,” Therion says.
Thanouq tosses him a dark look. “We spoke of this, and you know my answer. They’re long gone, and we don’t have the manpower. Looking at the tracks, there are hundreds of slaves. That means there’ll be lots of guards, and likely they’ll slaughter the slaves if they think they’re going to be defeated, so it’d be no good. And we have other things to do.”
They both look at me. Thanouq’s face is devoid of expression. Therion, on the other hand, looks pissed off. Like I’m a problem that he wishes would go away.
“But we have to do something,” I say.
Thanouq sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “We will, just not today. One thing at a time. And right now, we need to get you somewhere safe.” I stare at him, and a tic starts in his cheek. His nostrils flare. “You think I like this any more than you do? I told you it’s impossible. Now let’s go.”
I don’t move. “If there’s a chance we can save these people, then we do it. Nothing is more important.” I sort of hate what I’m saying. I really want this journey to end, and the thought of adding miles makes my stomach churn. But at the same time, I will never forgive myself if we don’t try. That little girl will haunt me forever. And how many more will meet the same fate? I might not know who I am, but I don’t want to be the sort of person who would turn her back on others in dire need. I glance at Khaosti, but his expression is impassive, and he says nothing.
“Look at you,” Thanouq growls. “You can hardly sit on your horse. We’ll have to ride and ride fast to catch them. You won’t manage it.”
I hate to admit it, but he’s right. “Then leave me here and go after them.”
“Not happening,” Khaosti says, speaking at last. “There could still be shadowguard around. We’re not leaving you unprotected.”
I stare at the bodies and think about how terrifying their last moments must have been. And the days before, stolen from their homes, driven… How can we do this? I look at my little group and try to get my brain to work. I can’t ride much longer, or I’ll fall off. My gaze settles on Thanouq, and an idea occurs to me. Yeah, it’s a crazy idea, but all the best ones—and the worst ones—are. Which type is this?
And I’m not sure he’ll agree. Maybe there’s some sort of shifter code about these things.
Zayne comes up beside me. “What are you thinking?” he asks. “I can almost see your brain working.”
“I’m thinking…”
“Come on, out with it.”
I switch to Valandrian because Thanouq needs to hear this. “Okay. I’m thinking that Thanouq is right. I’m weak and pathetic and—”
“I never said that,” he growls. “You’re injured. You nearly died only two days ago.”
“Okay, I’m weak and injured. I’ll never make it on horseback. But…” I lick my lips and look him in the eye. “You could take me.”
He frowns, and then I see dawning understanding in his eyes. I hurry on before he can shoot me down. “I’m too weak to ride a horse, but if you flew me there, it would be quicker and I’m betting, smoother. The others could follow and bring the horses to meet us close to this slave line.”
“What’s going on?” Zayne asks from beside me, and I can hear the frustration in his voice.
“Later,” I murmur, not letting my gaze shift from Thanouq.
It’s Khaosti who speaks first. “Hell, no.”
I turn my gaze on him. “It’s not your choice.”
I expect him to argue, but while his nostrils flare and his eyes narrow, he doesn’t answer. Or at least he doesn’t answer me. He turns to Thanouq. “Tell her you won’t do it.”
But Thanouqisthinking about it. I know it, and excitement bubbles inside me.
“It could work,” he says slowly. He waves a hand at the bodies. “These are maybe twenty-four hours old. But the line is big; it will be moving slowly. In the air, I could make that in maybe a couple of hours.” Now he looks at me. “Can you do that?”
It occurs to me that if I fall off Stella, then I’ll likely survive. But if I fall off a griffin in mid-flight, I’ll be splattered—like blood and brains everywhere splattered. But maybe they can tie me on really tight.
“Hell, yeah,” I say. “Piece of cake.”
Half an hour later, I’m strapped on a griffin’s back. Just when I think my life can’t get any weirder.
It took quite a lot of effort to get me up here. There are stars swirling in my head, and my knuckles are white where I’m gripping the leather strap around Thanouq’s neck. I stare down at the others standing on the ground below us. My gaze catches Khaosti’s and I try to think of something deep and meaningful to say. Just in case. But in the end, all I can come up with is, “Thanks for looking after me.”
He nods almost curtly and turns and strides away, his whole body tense.
