Riders (Riders, #1)(70)

My breathing is the only sound, and it’s fast. This is too much like when I saw Ra’om. But I know I’m fine. Still here in this chair, talking my head off, thanks to these drugs. Then I remember the things I just said and wince.

What the hell, Blake? Talk about the Kindred, fine. Talk about Marcus, Bas, and Jode. Talk about anything but her.

I want the gag back. Someone needs to unshackle me so I can punch myself.

Cordero lets out a long sigh. “Budget cuts,” she says. “Can one of you run down a replacement, please?”

The door opens, and light and sound pour in. There’s a discussion going on out in the hallway. Not a friendly one. I only hear a piece of it before Beretta steps out, shutting the door behind him.

“We can still continue this way. Can’t we?” Cordero asks.

“You mean I can.”

The radiator starts going again. Why are sounds so much clearer and louder in the darkness?

“Yes, of course. I meant you,” she says. “Is it getting harder for you to talk about this?”

Is this getting harder for me? Yes. My thoughts are clearing. I almost feel normal again. Which is feeling like I don’t want to cooperate.

“Gideon?”

“Sorry. I was just thinking for a second.”

“Then this is getting harder for you. If it’s helpful, we can give you another dose.”

“Of the drugs?” Is she kidding? Yeah, right. Like I’m taking that offer. “No, I’m good. Why’d you bother with them in the first place?”

“I thought I explained that when we started. You were belligerent when I tried talking to you, and when you were first picked up in Jotunheimen. I understand your anger better now, of course.”

“Because I’m War.”

“Yes. And it couldn’t have been easy when Daryn stayed in Norway instead of evacuating with you.”

Wait.

Wait.

Did I tell her that?

I know I’ve thought it a lot. But have I actually said it?

Why would I have said it? I haven’t gotten to that part of things yet. I’m almost sure I haven’t.

Did she hear it from Daryn?

From the other guys?

I stare into the darkness, wishing I could see her face.

The radiator shuts off. My entire focus goes to the smells washing into my nose. Her perfume. Citrus and roses. And that musty smell. I know that stench.

“Everything okay, Gideon?”

“Yes,” I say. But I don’t think it is.

I need a chance to think.

“Then let’s start again. Why don’t we pretend this is a campfire story? Without the campfire, of course.”

Keep it steady, Blake. Everything stays the same.

“Sure. We can pretend.”





CHAPTER 42

It was Jode’s fancy British voice I heard as I shuffled into the suite’s living room the following morning, rubbing sleep out of my eyes.

He was pacing in front of the sofa, his blond hair sticking up like a troll figurine’s. In the daylight, I was able to get a better look at him. He had a keen look in his eyes and ruddy cheeks, like he’d been out in cool weather. In his rumpled designer clothes, he looked less like he was hungover; more like he’d just stepped off a yacht. Daryn, Bas, and Marcus were spread out around the area, giving him a rundown of our situation.

I noticed that the key was resting on the chain around Daryn’s neck—in plain sight. Morning sunlight poured in through the balcony, making it gleam. Apparently that piece was common knowledge now. I needed a second to get a handle on how that made me feel, which was not very special, even though I accepted that it might be the best thing for the group.

“I understand what you think is happening,” Jode said. “But I can’t get involved in this.” He stopped pacing when he saw me. “Oh, good.” He flipped a hand my way. “Here he is now. Welcome to the gathering, War. You got us this suite, didn’t you? Which I’m paying for? Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome,” I said. I dropped on the couch and rubbed my eyes again, then my head, trying to get my brain going. I’d slept like crap. Most of the night, I’d dreamt of the images Ra’om had shown me. Even now, they seemed close. I felt like I had an evil residue inside my head.

“I know this is a lot to take in,” Daryn said to Jode, “but you have to try to accept it. We’re still in danger, and that includes you, whether you like it or not. The Kindred won’t be far. With all of you together, they’ll be able to track us faster.”

“You told me they’re attracted to the key,” I said.

Daryn looked at me. Straight on. Her bronzed skin seemed pale this morning, and there were faint circles under her eyes, like she hadn’t slept great, either.

I’d decided to put what happened between us behind me. I needed to stay focused. I had to finish this horseman stuff so I could get back my life.

“They are,” she said. “But they have other ways of tracking us, too.”

They did, and I was starting to figure those out. I sat over my knees and cleared my throat. Then I told them what had happened to me on the street the night before. Finishing with that, I moved right on and described the Kindred’s capabilities as I saw them.