Riders (Riders, #1)(73)

Jode tugged me back by the arm, but I shook my head. We couldn’t move. I couldn’t let go of the door. Alevar’s wings were keeping us concealed but if we made any noise, we were done for.

The floor beneath me shuddered like someone had dropped a car. Then I heard a low growl and a sound like a viper’s rattle.

Alevar shifted slightly. Through his long black feathers, I saw pieces of the hallway. Two creatures were there. One was a kind of scorpion mutation with a thick reddish shell, massive front claws, and a stinger rising from its back. It rattled softly, and shimmered the way I’d seen Ronwae shimmer—movement so fast it was a blur. Smaller creatures scurried all over the scorpion-thing, minute versions of it. This was Ronwae, I knew instantly. The other creature was a furry, stoop-backed beast. A hybrid between a boar and a bear, but deformed. With large humps on its back and limbs. Fangs and claws made to shred. It was the dreadlocked female demon—Bay.

As I watched, she lifted onto her thick hind legs and turned her shoulder, pressing it against the door of the room where Jode and I had been heading. The jamb groaned, then gave with a splintering crunch, and they disappeared inside.

In moments, shattering sounds filled the hallway.

Serious demolition.

Alevar’s wings folded closed. He turned, looking at me with his apologetic face. Then he crawled after the two female Kindred, leaving us there.





CHAPTER 43

“Any particular reason why you’ve paused here, Gideon?”

Because I feel sick.

Because I can’t keep talking anymore.

Because I know who you are.

“No. I’m fine.”

“You’re sure? Do you need more water?”

“I’m fine.”

“The dark isn’t scaring you? I have to admit it’s scaring me a little bit. These demons you’re describing sound dreadful. I’d hate to see one up close.”

My muscles have turned to stone.

All I smell is Malaphar’s stench.

It’s been him this entire time.

Keep going, Blake. No change.

But everything just changed.





CHAPTER 44

Jode and I went back for the others, then we tore out of the hotel, charging into broad daylight.

Rome was alive and kicking. We pushed through streets bustling with swarms of tourists and locals on their morning commute. A few people snapped photos of me with their phones. I hadn’t ditched my armor yet because I couldn’t ditch my armor. I tried to tap into that focus—the inner switch I was beginning to find with the sword—but it didn’t work. I couldn’t un-armor, so I had to stay fluid and go with it. It wasn’t the first time Rome had seen War.

As I led us to the nearest train station, I kept checking behind us for the Kindred. Then again, Malaphar could’ve been anyone on the street. We had to press forward and hope for the best. When we reached the station, Jode took over and handled the purchase of our tickets.

“Milan,” he said, as he led us to the platform. The train was already there, passengers stepping aboard. “But we can transfer there and keep going. Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden. As far as we want, as long as we stay within the Eurail system.”

“We don’t have passports,” I said, following him through the train.

“It’s taken care of.”

“You’d better not have used your name.”

“I’m not an idiot, Gideon,” he said. “I worked out a financial arrangement with the clerk. It’s taken care of.”

He took us to a premium car, which was only half full. We moved to the last two empty rows. Sebastian tossed his backpack down.

“It’s taken care of,” he said, in a spot-on imitation of Jode’s voice. Then he sprawled out across the two seats on that side of the aisle. Marcus claimed the other side for himself. At the last row, Jode went left. Daryn went right. I froze.

Daryn scooted over, making room for me. In ten minutes, the train had accelerated to more than a hundred miles an hour. I let my head fall back against my seat. I was finally breathing evenly. It looked like we’d make a clean getaway.

As the adrenaline faded away, I started to regret sitting next to Daryn. The silence between us felt tense. I stared laser beams at the seat back in front of me, trying not to think about how I’d treated her earlier. Or how it’d felt when I’d kissed her. Or when she’d shut me down.

I flinched when her hand came to my shoulder, not expecting it.

“This is amazing,” she said quietly. Her fingers drifted over the material of my suit, exploring. “Can we talk, Gideon?” she asked.

I didn’t deserve the concern I saw in her eyes, but I wanted it. The problem was that I wanted a lot more than her concern. “Sure,” I said. “What’s up?”

I had to find a way to deal. We had to be able to work together.

Bastian popped over the seat in front of us. “I’m going to the food cart, does anyone—whoops, sorry. I didn’t know you were…” He sank back out of sight.

Daryn turned toward the window, resting her head against it. A few minutes later, she was asleep.

That was pretty much the rest of Italy. Daryn, sleeping against the window beside me.

I slept too, until Venice, where I woke up in my regular clothes, no more armor. I was glad, but a little disappointed too. My armor had instantly become my favorite piece of horseman gear. After wearing it, my shirt and cargos felt too flimsy and loose. Nowhere near as comfortable.