Clanless (Nameless #2)(78)
“The Wolves—”
“Don’t stand a chance,” said Ajax.
Gryphon looked back in Zo’s direction. “I will not come with you today, brother.”
Ajax’s face looked tired, stretched and folded in misery. “Meet us outside the entrance to the Valley of the Wolves where the two rivers meet in one month’s time.”
“I’ll do it.” A rush of fluttering nerves swirled inside Gryphon’s gut as he agreed to his fate. “I … I swear upon my honor, I will do this thing.” It reminded him of walking to the shed to receive his yearly beatings. He’d been terrified, especially without a father at his side to reassure him that everything would work out. Only he wouldn’t limp away from this appointment like he had as a child.
They clasped hands in a firm shake. Ajax placed his other hand on top of the pile to seal the pact. “I’m sorry, my friend. I’m so sorry.”
Gryphon looked back in Zo’s direction. “Me too.”
Zo awoke to a gentle nudging at her shoulder.
“We need to get back to camp before the others worry,” said Gryphon.
Zo reached her hands above her head and stretched before allowing Gryphon to help her up. She leaned her head into his side with his arm draped along her back as they walked back to camp in the early light of morning.
Zo touched her lips, swollen from kissing Gryphon, and silently prayed Ikatou and the others wouldn’t notice.
They entered the camp to find the Kodiak and Joshua still asleep. Zo dropped to her bedroll and Gryphon lay down beside her, pulling her into the protective curve of his body. It seemed that within moments of shutting her eyes, Ikatou was calling the camp to action. As they packed up their belongings, Zo found Gryphon staring at her. She smiled, a blush warming her cheeks. It took her three tries to properly tie off her bedroll with those liquid brown eyes watching. Careful of her injured hands, she threaded her arm into her pack and stood next to Gryphon and Joshua.
“We’re going to see Tess today,” she practically sang.
Around them, men spoke to each other in excited whispers, as they prepared for the final leg of their journey to a new future.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve actually missed Tess’s cooking,” said Joshua.
Gryphon’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. He stared out to the horizon where the sun’s rays peeked over a distant mountain range. He hadn’t spoken since he woke her early that morning. Probably overwhelmed by the possibilities of living with the Allies.
“Lead the way, Wolf,” Ikatou called to Zo when the Kodiak were ready to move out.
Zo set an aggressive pace that the others—with their longer legs—matched with ease. They trudged downhill and found a familiar path marked by the passage of the Nameless refugees. All trails on this side of the mountain filtered into a narrow slot canyon.
Walls of granite towered several hundred feet above them on both sides, like God had driven a giant ax through the mountain. Several places were barely large enough for Gryphon to squeeze through sideways. The trail curved back and forth like a snake. Zo looked to the narrow patch of sky high above. They were so close now.
“Does it ever end?” Gryphon asked a few paces behind her. He panted, bracing the walls as if they needed his strength to keep them upright. Beads of sweat rolled down from his hairline. The Kodiak seemed perfectly at ease sandwiched between the giant slabs of stone.
“Only a little further,” said Zo.
After four more turns the way opened up to reveal a green meadow with a multi-colored carpet of flowers and ferns. Beyond that, a valley dotted with cook fires.
The Allies.
Gryphon put his hands on knees. “Tell me there is a different way out of this valley.”
“You didn’t enjoy that?” Zo walked up to him and placed a comforting hand on his back, a smile tickling her lips. Gryphon was good at everything. The idea that he was claustrophobic didn’t fit with his character. “It gets easier with practice,” she said.
“So there really isn’t?”
Zo couldn’t help the bubble of laughter that rolled up her throat. She reached up on her toes and threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. “Welcome home, Gryphon.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This middle child of the NAMELESS series is a story about belonging. I’ve been accepted, included, and supported by so many wonderful “clans” throughout the process of writing this book. Each is beautiful and different in its own, blessed way.
The most obvious clan worth mentioning is my crazy-supportive family and friends. They’ve gone to great lengths to spread book love in the form of costumes, food, words of encouragement, beta reading, babysitting, tribal face paint, acting, tweeting, and the list goes on and on. They are the metaphoric hands that hold me up—hands I know will be there to catch me if I fall or allow myself to be overwhelmed with self-doubt. Their faces are many and extend well beyond my husband and three little rascals, including: parents, brothers and sisters (in-laws included!), grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and good, good friends. I’m a firm believer that we can all do great things when great people surround us.
To the Month9Books Clan, I can’t adequately thank you for the enthusiasm and love you’ve shown this series. Jaime Arnold, I’m in awe of your mad publicity skills and will always consider you a dear friend. Thanks to editors Barbara VanDenburgh and Michelle Millet, Jennifer Million, and for all those who’ve worked in design and cover art for the series. Special thanks to the woman herself, Georgia McBride. You, my dear, are a visionary.