Allied (Ruined #3)(42)

Olivia stared at Em. “I killed all their Lera soldiers.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Em said quietly. “I have no control over the Olso army. You either need to run or prepare to fight.”

Olivia’s eyes flashed. Em took a step back.

“Let’s run,” Jacobo said. “They’re planning something.”

“No,” Olivia said sharply. “Get in position.”

“But—”

“Get in position!” Olivia screamed. “I don’t care what they’re planning.” She directed her next words at Em. “I can kill all the soldiers myself, if I have to.”

Galo took in a sharp breath. He didn’t think that was true, but Olivia looked determined enough to make it happen.

“Get in position!” Olivia yelled again.

Em took off first, headed into the trees to find a hiding spot. Aren grabbed Galo’s arm and pulled him, frequently looking over his shoulder at Olivia. Galo’s gaze was fixed on Aren’s bloody shirt.

Aren led him west, away from the Ruined, and in the direction the Olso army would be coming from. The trees were a little thinner this direction, and they had to crouch low behind a mess of vines. It wasn’t the best hiding spot, but they’d be the first to see the soldiers as they approached.

“Let me see,” Galo said to Aren. He tried to lift Aren’s shirt to examine his wound.

“It’s just a scratch,” Aren said, batting his hand away. “Get down.”

Galo obeyed, sinking a little lower to the ground. He looked over his shoulder to see the last few Ruined running into position—climbing trees, disappearing behind bushes, and making gestures to each other. He’d lost sight of Olivia and Em.

The jungle went still and quiet. Galo looked at Aren to find him lifting his shirt, examining the gash on his side. It was more than “just a scratch,” and actually looked rather painful.

“Why would you do that?” Galo whispered. “I’m good with a sword, I could have fought him off.”

“You’re welcome,” Aren said wryly.

“I didn’t mean—”

“I know. I’m fine. It’s just one more scar.” He said it easily, without bitterness. Galo’s gaze fell to the burn scars on Aren’s arms. He’d always tried not to stare at them, afraid it would make Aren uncomfortable, but he couldn’t help himself this time. If someone had asked him, an hour ago, if he considered himself vain, he would have immediately said no. Now he was thinking about what kind of scar that rock was going to leave on his face, and thinking that he wouldn’t want even half the scars that Aren had.

“Thank you,” he said. He could tell Aren had noticed him looking at his scars. “For saving me,” he added, like it wasn’t obvious. He felt the sudden urge to do more for Aren, though he wasn’t sure what that would be. He didn’t have much to offer a powerful Ruined.

“Sure. I’m probably going to have to do it again in a minute, so don’t leave my side no matter what. Got it?”

Galo might have laughed if he weren’t still vibrating with terror from his encounter with Olivia. “Got it.”

Aren leaned forward, bracing his hand against a thick vine as he looked for the Olso army. Beside him, Galo was on his knees, his hands pressed to the dirt like he was preparing to run at a moment’s notice. Aren nodded his approval.

A few horses appeared in the distance. The riders weren’t wearing Olso or Vallos uniforms, and Aren leaned forward just slightly, squinting at them. Several more horses appeared behind them.

“It’s Jovita,” Galo whispered. “The one in front, on the brown horse.”

Aren glanced at him. “How can you tell?”

“She’s wearing a royal belt. The sun is catching it. See?”

Aren looked again. Sure enough, a large buckle on her silver belt was shining in the sun, announcing her presence to everyone in the area. She wasn’t used to traveling discreetly. Or she just didn’t care.

There were about two hundred riders in all black around her, and Aren caught a flash of blue on several of their shirts. Ruined pins. They were hunters.

More horses appeared behind her, these wearing red-and-white warrior jackets. There were a few black and yellow Vallos uniforms scattered among them as well.

They kept coming, hundreds of them, probably more than Olivia and her Ruined supporters could handle. That was the plan, but his gut still twisted.

The army advanced in their direction. Some of the people in front were near enough to see now, and it was indeed Jovita. They were on the path directly in front of Aren and Galo, so close that Aren could have taken only a few quick steps to reach them.

The hunters passed, and a familiar blond man appeared behind them. He was on a horse, flanked by two warriors. August. The new king of Olso.

Aren’s eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t expected August to join the troops.

August’s brow was lowered, dark circles beneath his eyes. He looked not just exhausted, but almost like a completely different person. Aren wasn’t surprised. He knew what it felt like to lose your entire family in one swoop. He knew the toll it took.

August turned, scratching at a spot on his neck. His eyes met Aren’s.

They stared at each other for a moment. August cut his eyes to the left, then the right. His gaze landed on the tree not far ahead, where Jacobo sat in the branches.