During the previous attacks, it had been impossible to determine where the Dires were coming from. Their minds had been focused forward, on the attack itself, on getting to Zach’s farm. Now, these Dires wereintenton escape, and the imagery associated with it had one clear goal. Zach only needed a glimpse to nail it.
“Got it,” Zach said. “Gravel pits.” He opened his eyes. “None of those pits are active right now. It’s a perfect place to hide their vehicles.”
“Which ones?” Kade demanded.
There were pits throughout this area. But Zach had ridden them often enough to recognize the glimpses he’d seen.
“How careful are these guys going to be?” Zach asked.
“What? Just tell me where they’re going.”
“They won’t want to expose themselves.” Cody had pushed in behind Kade, and he caught on to what Zach was about. “It’s broad daylight. They’ll have to be careful.”
Kade’s wild eyes glared cat gold.
“It’s the pits between here and Vivian,” Zach told Kade.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.” But when Kade took a long stride away from him, Zach grabbed his arm. “Wait. I have an idea.”
Kade glowered at him but stopped moving.
“The truck ditched on the main access road. The farms along that stretch are surrounded by fields. The crops all under a foot tall right now; not grown enough to hide a Dire.”
As reason returned to the Were’s eyes, Zach continued. “To stay hidden, they’ll be forced to stick to the patch of bushes on the far side of the road until they get to the point where they can safely cross into cover. It will take them a significant way off track.”
Zach pushed past the Weres. They followed him across the soggy yard. “From that point, there is only one route for them to take to access the pits near Vivian. And I know a way to get there first.”
“Just point us,” growled Kade.
“Can’t. I’m going to have to show you.”
“If we take you, we’ll never beat them there. Not even a quad can keep up with us, and you don’t have one.”
“I’ve got something much better.” Zach’s eyes darted past Kade to the silent form standing in the corral. Even as he said it, he knew how crazy this was.
This was too big of an ask for Tucker. Weres still terrified the horse despite frequent contact. He’d be in a perpetual state of panicked bolt the whole time, and Zach needed a calm mind if he was going to pelt full speed through this kind of terrain.
He needed Storm. The mare had been a riding horse, he’d seen the scars from the badly fitting saddles she’d worn. But he’d never ridden her.
Cara’s brows rose as she followed his gaze. “I’ll talk to her.” She hurried toward the corral.
Any other time, any other person, and Zach would’ve doubted. Instead, he moved after her. Couldn’t quite manage a run, but it was a decent stagger.
* * *
Cara stood with Storm. Her hands stroked the mare’s face as she murmured to her.
Zach took the remaining rope halter off the hook by the gate, along with a length of rope. This was a totally crazy idea. He could barely stand on his own two feet, and he was considering riding a half-wild mare—without a saddle or bridle—at full gallop over the roughest possible terrain.
He was a damned good rider. Good enough to know how enormous a feat this was going to be. But even if Storm let him on her back, to ask her to accept a saddle as well was too much. He’d seen the scars. Understood the deep-rooted memories of pain the mare would have.
Zach glanced at Tucker. The big horse was plastered to the back panels, staring in abject terror at the Weres. He could saddle him, but the gelding wasn’t great on rough terrain at the best of times. Terrified, he might kill them both.
“I think she’ll do it.” Cara stroked the mare’s nose. “I don’t have the same connection to her as I do to my chosen ones, and I don’t know about a saddle.”
“It’s okay.” Zach slid the rope halter onto the horse’s face. “Not using one.”
