Roar (Stormheart #1)(40)
Her stomach turned with nerves, but she knew she had prepared as best as she could. She’d filled her packs with everything she thought might prove useful: A bow and arrows to go with her cherished knives, books on languages and herbs and wildlife, coin enough to buy whatever she might need, her favorite book for comfort, and her brother’s twister ring. It was a selfish addition, a reminder of home and of the grief she would leave behind if she did not manage to return.
Rora waited within a copse of trees until the sun breathed gold and pink across the heavens, then she pushed Honey into a trot toward a caravan on the eastern road she assumed belonged to the hunters. There were half a dozen horses, two of which were harnessed to a carriage unlike any she had ever seen. The front curved out like a globe and was made of glass. The back was boxy, and atop the glinting metal roof were unfamiliar contraptions that spun in the wind.
When her eyes found Locke, he was standing near the coach, facing the city. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his body tight with tension. She called out, “Hoping I wouldn’t show?”
He turned, and his hair blew over his face in the breeze. He frowned and glanced behind Rora. “Where did you come from?”
She gestured to the road behind her. “I was too excited to sleep, so I went for a ride.”
His frown deepened. “Where did you get the horse?”
“I didn’t steal her, if that’s what you’re accusing me of.” At least … not really. She was Rora’s.
His jaw clenched. “I didn’t say that.”
“Then why ask?”
“I thought you were—”
“A helpless girl who needed you to rescue her? Did you expect me to show up with nothing but the clothes on my back, needing you for every little thing? While you might have helped me the other night, generally I can take care of myself just fine.”
He ground his teeth so hard, Rora wouldn’t have been surprised to see them crumble into dust in his mouth. “I didn’t say that either.”
“Good. Because I would have been tempted to have Honey here trample you if you did.”
With a loud, metallic scrape, a hatch slid open on top of the strange coach, and a loud laugh poured out from it, followed shortly by Bait’s fiery red-orange hair.
“Marry me. Please. Anyone who threatens Locke without batting an eye is my ideal woman.”
Locke turned on the other hunter, his face set in a menacing scowl, and the young teen gave an inelegant squeak before disappearing into the carriage. Rora laughed, and Locke’s scowl was turned on her. But rather than the angry retort she expected, he barked, “Your hair is dark.”
Her stomach flipped in momentary fear before she said, “So?”
He shrugged, grumbling something she couldn’t hear before gesturing for her to get down from her horse. He reintroduced her to each member of the crew. Most of them were enthusiastic at the prospect of her joining the team. Jinx had practically tackled her in excitement. Ransom was more subdued, but she had the feeling that he rarely showed much emotion. Sly, on the other hand, had not even tried to disguise her glare. Rora remembered only a brief glimpse of the girl that first night in the market, and that made more sense when Locke said, “Sly is our stealth specialist. You won’t hear her sneaking up on you unless she wants you to hear her.” The smile Sly gave Rora after that declaration made the hair on her neck rise.
“You can ride in the Rock,” Locke said, gesturing toward the odd carriage. Through the glass dome at the front, she could see all manner of knobs and dials and cranks, and though she was curious, her pull toward Honey was stronger.
“I’d prefer to be on my horse.”
He sighed. “This isn’t going to work if you argue with every thing I say.”
“I wasn’t arguing. My horse has never left this area. I’d prefer to be with her, so she stays calm. Do I need to argue?”
“Fine,” he said, but he didn’t look happy about it. “Get on your horse. We’re leaving now.” He followed that declaration with a shrill whistle that was apparently the signal for everyone else to pack up and prepare to leave. Duke and Bait both climbed into the Rock, and the redheaded teen blew her a playful kiss before he closed the top hatch. Everyone else took a horse, leaving a few more horses to carry supplies.
Rora crossed to Honey and ran a hand along her flank before hoisting herself up into the saddle. She leaned against Honey’s neck, patting the horse’s jaw, and asked, “Ready, girl?”
Honey stamped her hooves restlessly as if to say get on with it. Rora knew it was a risk taking Honey with her, but she needed her as a reminder of home, as a companion in an adventure that was either brave or insane.
“Sly, you take lead. We’re not expecting to run into any storms today, but you have the best eyes. Ran, you bring up the tail. Bait—you ready?”
From inside the carriage, Rora heard Bait call out, “Ready!”
She frowned. There had been two horses hooked to the carriage when she arrived, but now those horses were saddled with supplies, and the carriage sat alone. How did they expect it to move without horses? She heard another scrape of metal, a loud whooshing noise that morphed into a whir, and the clank of turning gears. The sound sped up, and she saw Duke pull a lever inside the Rock. The wheels of the carriage began to roll despite the utter lack of incline on the land. The wheels spun faster, until the carriage was a dozen horse lengths ahead.