Nameless (Nameless #1)(75)

Zo sobbed as she tied the cloth around Joshua’s waist. It soaked through even before she finished. The pitch of her cry made Gryphon want to stop and pull her and Joshua both to him. To wrap his arms around them and expel their fear by sheer force. But there wasn’t time.

Gryphon’s legs nearly gave out as he took the final steps to Joshua’s side. In one motion, he scooped the boy up into his arms. Gabe helped Zo to her feet and together they scrambled off the platform and ran toward the gate, cloaked by the mayhem of the bloody square.

“Where is my sister?” Zo shouted over the noise of clanking swords and swooshing arrows.

“I sent Tess ahead to wait for us at the gate,” said Gabe. Zo tripped and Gabe turned back to help her.

Gryphon tried not to look at Joshua, tried not to interpret his dead weight or his unfocused eyes. He’ll be all right. He repeated the mantra over and over again. Willing it to be true. Needing it to be true.

They ran out of the square and passed the string of buildings and mess barracks.

No one followed them. When they reached the perimeter of the great wall they heard the gears and chains of the massive gate opening.





Zo’s vision tunneled as they ran, blurring in and out. She fell and hands snatched her up. It took several moments for her to recognize Gabe helping her forward.

“Joshua,” she croaked, her legs unsteady. “He tried to kill himself so I could escape.”

Gabe’s grip was as firm as the look on his face. “You can save him, Zo. We’re all going to make it.”

Running. Running. Running. Looking over at Joshua’s limp form in Gryphon’s arms. Smelling the slick layer of blood on her skin. Feeling it dry and cake on her chest. Too much blood.

It’s happening again. Her parents’ lifeless bodies. Too much blood. Not being able to save them.

Knowing it was her fault.





The Historian stood near the gate entrance with Eva as hundreds of Nameless fled the walls. It was only a small percentage of the thousands of Nameless inside Ram’s Gate, but still the sight of them made Gryphon stop short. They carried packs filled with provisions on their backs. Four guards lay dead, their lifeless bodies trampled under the feet of the Nameless as they made their frantic exodus. The lookouts were missing from the high walls. Likely sharing the other guards’ fate.

Gryphon set Joshua on his feet but still supported most of the boy’s weight. Shouts and cries of pain wafted over from the square only a few hundred yards away. The distraction wouldn’t last long.

“You must hurry!” The Historian ushered them to the narrow opening behind the last of the escapees. She nodded to the forty Nameless manning the wheel that opened the gate. “My men will close it behind you.”

Your men? Gryphon’s cheeks grew hot. If this woman hadn’t been helping them escape he’d be furious. How many of his friends had died today because of her scheming? Gryphon understood now that he’d only been a pawn in her little game. Manipulated by a foolish bedtime story. Yes, Barnabas was evil, and the Ram had many flaws, but to organize a rebellion inside the Gate?

It put his own treason to shame.

Tess ran to Zo’s side, her face white at the sight of Joshua covered in his own blood.

“Zo and I know of a good place to hide. It’s not far,” said Gabe.

Shouts called out from behind them. Barnabas’ voice boomed unintelligible orders that carried over the dying noise of the square.

The Ram were coming.

Gryphon and Gabe immediately locked eyes. They both knew their chances of survival if something wasn’t done to stop the Ram from leaving the gate. In one glance, everything important passed between them. Strategy, oaths, respect. Gabe ripped off his pack and handed it to Zo.

“What are you doing?” she said.

Gabe wordlessly reached out to free Gryphon of the task of supporting Joshua. “Gryphon will be right behind us. He just needs to make sure no one follows.”

Zo had been in a state of shock since the prizefight, but snapped her head to Gryphon and reached out to grasp his arm. “No.” The word came out hoarse and trembling. Tears instantly sprang to her eyes.

Gryphon, who’d always been so careful not to touch her, didn’t think twice about resting his hands on either side of her cheeks and letting his fingertips weave into the dark tangles of her hair. The moment was fleeting but if Gryphon survived the next five minutes of his life, he knew he’d never forget the feel of her soft cheeks against his palms, the look of affection in her blue eyes that—until today—had always been so guarded.

“Save Joshua. I’ll be with you soon.”

Zo was still shaking her head when Gabe pulled her under the gate with Tess right behind. She looked back, pleading for him to follow.

Eva stared back in the direction of the square, uncertain and unmoving.

“Go, Eva. Now!” said Gryphon.

“But, Stone.”

Gryphon took her by the upper arm and forced her out the gate. “If you love him like you say, show him by leaving.”

Gryphon turned back to the Historian. She held her arms folded over her chest, appraising him with hooded eyes.

“Close the gate!” Gryphon called to the Nameless at the giant wheel. Each link of chain connected to the wheel was a foot in diameter. The heavy chain connected to a massive boulder held aloft by a pulley system. The counterweight of the boulder was all that kept the gate open.