Nameless (Nameless #1)(67)

When Gryphon finished explaining the Ram’s plan, she was glad to be sitting. “You’re certain they know the Raven settlement’s location?” Lightning rattled the shabby walls of the barn as she thought about little children playing freely in front of their humble homes.

Gryphon shifted his feet and looked at his hands. “My people captured a Raven a few days ago. He must have broken under interrogations.”

Gabe’s hands became heavy on Zo’s shoulders. “No,” he murmured.

“Wait!” said Zo. “Didn’t you and your men leave only a few days ago?”

Gryphon looked up with a scowl, like he dared her to condemn him. “Yes, Zo. It was my mess.”

“It was you?” She felt suddenly dizzy.

Gryphon growled. “And it was you and your bottles that let them know when I left. My brothers and I could have died!” Gryphon turned and slammed his palm on the rickety door. One of the wood panels flew out into the treacherous night.

“You knew about the bottles?” Zo looked up at Gabe who nodded confirmation. “You knew and you didn’t stop me?”

Gryphon pulled at his hair, like he always seemed to do when he was upset. He closed his eyes. “After Tess … I just didn’t think you’d do it.”

The color drained from her cheeks, like a spiderweb of ice shrouding her face. He’d trusted her and she’d let him down.

Yet he still came to check on her last night when the Gate Master had almost …

Gabe stepped between them. “That is history. We need to focus on the future. Specifically the two hundred Ram leaving to massacre the Raven tomorrow.” He turned to Gryphon. “You need to get us out. I’ve been to their settlement. I have to warn them.”

“But what about Tess and Joshua? We can’t leave them behind!” said Zo.

Gryphon raised his hands to calm Zo. “Gabe and I will get them tonight. The three of you will only have a few hours’ head start. Ram soldiers travel fast.”

“What about you? Will you and Joshua and the others not come with us?”

Gryphon sighed. “Ajax and his family are not leaving the Gate.”

Zo grabbed Gryphon’s arm with both hands. Red panic fringed her sight. “What about Sara and the baby? And Eva? The Ram will kill her when they discover she’s pregnant.” How could Ajax choose the Ram over his own child? He’d seemed so attentive and concerned for his family. And Eva. Stone had been so relieved that his lover would be safe. Zo looked into Gryphon’s golden-brown eyes and pleaded. “You have to convince them to come, Gryphon.” Her lower lip trembled of its own volition. “Please.”

Gryphon searched Zo’s face. His lips parted, like he was about to speak, but closed again. He focused on her with acute attention, like she was a critical target in an important mission.

Gabe coughed into his fist and Gryphon shook his head. “I’ll try.” His voice was dry and scratchy.

Gabe said, “What if you can’t convince them? Will you and Joshua travel with us to warn the Raven? We could use your help with the evacuation.”

Gryphon studied his hands. “I don’t think I can leave.”

Zo suddenly realized how difficult this must have been for Gryphon. He was proud. A fallen patriot of a clan that he loved. The clan of his parents and friends. She wished there was something, anything she could do to compensate him for the sacrifices he had made for her and those she loved.

“If you don’t leave, what will happen to Joshua? The boy can’t live his whole life in hiding. Ram’s Gate is vast, but the Seer will find him eventually,” said Zo. “Come with us. I can keep you safe. Take you away from this life.”

Gryphon bristled. “The Ram aren’t perfect, Zo. Our society is flawed in more ways than I’d like to consider. However, these are my people and I will not desert them. Someone has to help them understand that there is value in life outside of our own blood. If we can’t learn that, there can never be peace between the clans.”

Gryphon closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I will send Joshua with you.”

“But—” For some reason, she couldn’t imagine leaving the Gate without Gryphon. Why had she always assumed he’d come with her? Moreover, why did she feel rejected?

Gryphon pushed open the creaky door to leave. “Get some rest, Gabe. We leave in three hours.”

“What about me?” Zo found herself desperate not to have him close the door. “Let me come with you tonight. I could be your lookout.”

“No,” both Gabe and Gryphon said at the same time.

Gryphon sighed. “We’ll come for you as soon as we have Tess and Joshua.” He held open the door for Zo to follow him out. When she didn’t move he hesitated on shifting feet and studied the splintered doorframe. Gryphon cleared his throat. “There is no bed here, Zo. Gabe can’t be seen, but you can sleep on your bed in the Nameless’ quarters if you like.”

Gabe’s hands tightened on Zo’s shoulders.

“Or I could move your bed in here.” Gryphon spared her a quick glance. His eyes were liquid brown in the low light.

“I’ll just sleep here in the hay,” she said. For some reason, it sounded like an apology.

Gryphon pursed his lips, nodded, and left.