Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows, #1)(41)

I glanced back at Luna, uncertain whether she would agree with my plan. If I worked, I would have to find something to do with her during that time. I was sure suitable work could be found for her, too. She had her uses. Like saving my life. And her hearing was better than my own.

She stopped, her head tilting, chin lifting in that way of hers that signaled she heard something even now.

I moved to her side and stopped.

A nearby bird trilled in the distance, so I didn’t think any dwellers were close. They always fell silent when those creatures were wandering in the vicinity.

I touched her elbow. “What?” I released the word into her ear, a mere sigh. A gust of breath that I knew she could hear.

“It’s not dwellers,” she murmured, precisely what I already knew. Her smooth brow creased as though she was trying to make sense of the sound, a reminder that her experiences were limited.

She lowered her face, her expression scrunching up in frustration. She pressed fingertips to her forehead. “Something else is out there.” Her nostrils flared. “Rotten and sour. Like death.” The faintest tremor shook her voice as she said this.

I studied her pale face, the slim slope of her nose and rounded cheeks so smooth and unblemished, free from exposure to the elements.

Then I heard it.

Footsteps. I whirled in a swift circle, one hand going to her hip, keeping her behind me as I moved. I slipped my bow down from my shoulder and into position and grabbed an arrow from the quiver at my back, nocking it into place.

My ears strained, picking out one . . . two people. And they were definitely people. Their tread was nothing like the shuffling drag of dwellers. They moved with quick purpose.

My shoulders tensed as I held myself rigid. Luna’s breath fell swiftly behind me, but I didn’t look at her again. My gaze skipped over our surroundings, aiming my arrow at empty air, waiting for them to show themselves.

Then all at once, the sound stopped. They stopped.

They were out there. I knew it with every fiber of my being. The blood rushed in my ears. I continued to rotate, half expecting them to jump out in front of me.

“They’re here,” she whispered hoarsely the moment before they emerged, materializing in the distant dark.

They stepped out from behind a row of trees onto the path, limned in moonlight, almost like her voice had summoned them.

Awash in the moon’s glow, they looked like a pair of corpses and not men at all. They moved with the eerie grace of animals, walking like they belonged to the night, comfortable in their skin and in the moon-soaked air.

They turned to face us, and we all froze for a moment of awareness, staring at one another across the distance.

As though a spark had been lit, they moved again, advancing in our direction. I held still as they approached, bracing myself for the confrontation. There was no sense in running. Not with Luna in tow. I didn’t want them at our backs where I couldn’t see them either.

As they came closer, I was able to pick out details and features. They were tall and thin, rangy as wolves with clothes that might have fit them once but now hung loosely. Their ragged shirts hung off the knobs of their shoulders like loose curtains.

I trained my arrow on the one walking lead. His cheeks were sunken, the bones of his face like blades under the skin, and that only made his eyes appear bigger, so dark they looked whiteless.

“Hello, there.” His voice was a hoarse scratch. “Just the two of you?” Those soulless eyes flicked over my shoulder to Luna. He craned his neck, lifting up off his heels a bit to get a look at her.

I stepped a little to the side, attempting to block her from view.

He settled back down on his feet and leveled his gaze on me. “Haven’t seen another person for days.”

“Likewise,” I responded, my voice flat, arrow still aimed at him.

“That rainstorm was a bit of good fortune. Not that I enjoy getting soaked to the bone, but at least we didn’t have to worry ’bout those dwellers none. They never much prefer hunting in the rain.” He cocked his head at my prolonged silence. “Rain’s gone. Dwellers should start hunting again soon.”

“Say something I don’t know.”

He frowned. “Are you going to shoot me with that, boy?”

“I don’t know you.” I lifted one shoulder in half a shrug. “Good enough reason to shoot someone.”

The strangers exchanged glances. The leader laughed lightly. “A little standoffish. I understand that. Can’t be too careful.”

My adrenaline pumped. I’d been in dangerous situations before, but Luna being here changed things. My blood had never rushed through my veins so fiercely when it was just me alone.

He nodded to his friend. “We understand your hesitation.” His liquid-dark eyes flicked over my shoulder, trying to get to Luna. “Especially with a girl traveling with you.”

My stomach dipped. He didn’t even disguise his interest in her.

His raspy voice continued. “Gunner here knows these parts. Grew up as a boy nearby. Isn’t that right?” He flicked his gaze to his companion and back to me.

Gunner nodded and spit a dark string of saliva out the side of his mouth. “Don’t know if you’re familiar with this part of the country, but there’s an old monastery not far from here. It fell years ago. It’s abandoned now.” He pointed beyond us into the dark. “Just over those hills.”