The Ridge
Chapter 94:
The night air felt brittle and cold, cold enough to bite through leather. It whipped at Aria’s skin as the pack moved swiftly through the trees , the light of their torches chasing away both darkness and the little critters that scurried beneath the tree trunks.
No one spoke. The only sounds were paws thudding against the dirt and the steady rhythm of her breathing. She couldn’t control who had happened to Lucien but at least she could focus on controlling her breathing. Panic attacks would be a pain right now.
Ryn led the way, his stride eating up the ground, his eyes fixed on the faint trail of footprints glistening in the mud ahead. Two scouts were ahead of him.
Kael was a step behind him, scanning the undergrowth and bushes, his hand never straying from the hilt of his blade. Aria followed, her senses stretched taut, listening, and watching every snap and shadow that moved.
“They’re not far,” Ryn muttered, crouching low to study the tracks. His gloved hand brushed over the prints. “This marks are still fresh. Whoever carried him, they’re slowing down.”
“Could Lucien be conscious?” Kael asked.
Ryn shook his head. “If he were, he’d have left us a sign. He’s either too weak or…” He didn’t finish the thought.
Aria didn’t need him to. Her stomach had been churning ever since they found his bed empty.
She brushed a lock of hair from her face, scanning the darkness beyond the torches. “Keep moving,” she said quietly. “We’re losing time.”
They followed the trail for another mile. The trees thinned, giving way to jagged stone and sparse trees. The ridge rose ahead, steep and uneven, cutting a stark line against the star-streaked sky.
Ryn held up a hand, signaling a halt. The wolves behind them stopping instantly. “We’re close,” he said, pointing at the dirt. “But the tracks split here, two went east, up the ridge. The other headed back toward the river.”
Kael frowned. “Trying to confuse us.”
Aria moved forward and crouched beside him, tracing the prints with her fingertips. “Or trying to divide us more like.” she murmured.
Kael’s voice was low. “The classic misdirection tactic. They want to draw us away from the real path.”
Ryn frowned. “How do we know which is real?”
“We don’t,” Aria replied. She straightened slowly, eyes on the ridge. “East. I can feel the bond tugging me up there.”
Kael looked at her, his expression unreadable. “You’re sure?”
The Rune along her spine throbbed once, like a second heartbeat. “I’m sure.”
Ryn hesitated, then nodded. “We’ll follow your lead.”
They followed the eastward path into the treeline, walking in silence. Somwhere an owl hooted then went silent. Kael moved closer to her side. “If they took him through this route, they probably know the terrain better than we do.”
“I don’t care how well they know it,” she said. “They won’t leave this forest alive.” A soft wind blew then, carrying with it a faint metallic scent, blood… Aria’s breath caught. “He's close.”
Kael moved ahead, scanning the surroundings, his blade already drawn. “Eyes open,” he murmured. He had perceived it too, “If this is a trap, it’s a good one.”
Ryn and two of his wolves spread out to flank them, their movements quiet and filled with grace. The torches flickered wildly in the wind, painting the rocks in flashes of orange and gold.
Then Aria saw it, blood splashed against a gray stone. She hurried forward, kneeling beside it.
“Lucien’s?” Kael asked.
She nodded slowly, fingers brushing the dark smear. The scent was unmistakable. Her throat tightened. “He was here.”
Ryn crouched beside her, inspecting the ground. “The leaves aren't disturbed. There's no sign of a fight. Whoever took him, they weren’t trying to kill him.”
Kael’s jaw tensed. “Then what the hell do they want?” Before anyone could answer, one of Ryn’s wolves called softly from farther up the ridge. “Over here!”
Kael froze. “Stop.”
Everyone halted instantly.
“What is it?” Ryn asked.
Kael’s head turned slightly. “Listen.”
At first, there was nothing. Then, so faint, you could've almost missed it, the sound of footsteps. Not one of theirs either. This one was trying to be careful, to go undetected.
“Those scouts,” Kael said. “They’ve must been following our trail.”
Aria’s pulse quickened. “They’re not following,” she whispered. “They’re circling.”
A second later, the first arrow hissed past her shoulder and buried itself in the tree beside her.
“Down!” Ryn barked.
The torches dropped, their flames sputtering as wolves dove for cover. Another arrow sliced through the air, grazing Kael’s arm. He gritted his teeth, tearing it free without a sound.
Aria rolled behind a fallen trunk, her senses flaring. The Rune along her back burned to life, silver fire crawling beneath her skin.
Kael’s voice came low beside her. “Orders?”
“Draw them out.”
He smirked faintly, even though there was blood running down his sleeve. “My favorite kind of plan.”
He moved first, darting from cover to cover, baiting their unseen attackers. Another arrow whistled through the air, missing him by inches. The moment it flew, Aria saw it, a flicker of movement between the trees.
She lunged, catching the nearest assassin by the wrist before he could fire again, twisting until the bow snapped in his hands. His snarl turned into a shriek as she slammed him backward against the tree, and pierced her claws into his shoulder until she reached bone.
The others came fast, shadows slipping between the trees, silent with masked faces, they were scent less designed to leave no trace.
Kael met one with a flash of steel, blade clashing against claws. The scout ducked low, but Kael’s knee drove into his chest, sending him sprawling.
Ryn fought another to her right, his sword a blur of silver in the dim light. But it was Aria they wanted. Every movement was angled toward her. Every strike focused on breaking her guard.
One came at her from behind. She spun, catching him by the throat, fire spilling from her palm. He screamed once, short and hoarse, before falling limp.
Another darted from the shadows, a blade piercing through the air, he was aiming for her ribs. She sidestepped, seized his arm, and drove her elbow into his face. Bone cracked.
It was already before it began.