Nameless (Nameless #1)(79)

“What did you find?” Gryphon managed. He seemed grateful for the chance to focus on someone else.

“The Ram still haven’t managed to open the gate.” He slapped Gryphon’s shoulder and let go a silent laugh. Zo didn’t know what Gryphon had done to earn the look of esteem on Gabe’s face, but it must have been incredible. “Their scouts climb a rope ladder to get in and out of the wall. It’s a slow process.”

“What about the Nameless?” said Gryphon.

“They’ve left an obvious trail heading south from the Gate. Impossible to miss, but the Ram don’t seem interested in the Nameless. They only sent one scout after them. Probably to gather information. They’ve dedicated most of their manpower to tracking us. Our initial tracks have brought them close, but I don’t think they’ll find us if they haven’t already.”

Gryphon’s head hung a little as he sighed, but his weariness didn’t last long. “Barnabas will not rest until he has his revenge. He sees me as the rebel leader of the Nameless. I’ve insulted him.”

“But what will he do to the Nameless?” asked Gabe.

“A few hundred Nameless aren’t important to him. He’s been searching for the Raven for too long not to strike. The Ram need the bird-people’s resources.”

Gabe nodded. “So we get a head start. I’ve been to the Raven stronghold on assignment from Commander Laden. I can get us there.”

“Laden?” Gryphon raised a brow.

“The Allied commander.”

Zo rolled onto her knees. “We can’t just let those Nameless wander aimlessly. Someone needs to take them to the Allies. Besides, Joshua isn’t going to be fit to travel yet. Not at the pace needed to help the Raven. Tess will struggle, too.”

It seemed everyone had a reason to look away. No one wanted to consider the risk of separating. Gabe was the only one who knew how to find the Raven. With help, Zo might make it to the Allies, but with her charred hands, she’d have no way of defending herself from wild animals and nomadic clans.

“We’re not splitting up,” said Gryphon.

“He’s right,” said Gabe. “It might be several days before the Ram can open the gate.”

“What about the Nameless?” said Zo.

“They’re a large group. There’s a chance they will survive.”

Eva sat up from where she lay on the ground. Her hair was matted with pine needles, but she seemed so alert that there was no question she’d heard the whole conversation. “Stone will find the Nameless. He’ll make sure they are taken care of.”

Gabe and Gryphon exchanged looks that said, If he’s still alive.

“You said the Nameless moved south. I’m going to follow them.”

Gryphon said, “Eva, be reasonable. I can’t let you wander off into the wilderness to find those people. There are wild animals and dangerous Clanless who wander the hills.”

“I’m going.” She set her chin, daring anyone to contradict her.

Gryphon took her by the arm. “Ajax is my brother, Eva. I will not let you risk your life on the gamble that your Nameless lover survived the rebellion.”

Eva whipped her hand back and slapped Gryphon across the face. “Don’t you dare talk to me like that. Stone is alive.”

She turned onto her side and showed the whole group her back. Her body shook with silent tears as she wrapped her arms around her frame. Zo wanted to go to the poor girl, to offer some token of comfort. But what could she possibly say to make things better?

Gryphon turned wearily to Gabe. “I’ll help you evacuate the Raven, but Joshua and I will make our own way from there.”

“But—”

“Those are my terms, Wolf. Take them or leave them.”

Gabe considered for a moment then put out his hand. Gryphon closed the handshake, effectively settling the matter.

They would leave before first light to save the Raven from massacre. All of them.

That night, Zo rested with Tess curled against her side. Joshua put off a pleasant amount of heat at her back. She couldn’t help but think of all of the escaped Nameless and their doomed fate if they didn’t reach the Allies. She thought of Eva’s desperation to be with the father of her unborn child, wishing there was something she could do to help. Stone was counting on her to get them all to the Allies safely. Could she really abandon them?





Gryphon spent most of his watch that night watching Zo as she slept with one arm around Tess and the other around Joshua, as if they were her baby chicks. He wondered what it would be like to have someone care for him with the passion that Eva cared for Stone. In the last few years, whenever he imagined belonging to a woman he never managed to picture the girl’s face.

Now, even when he fought the tendency, he always saw Zo. It was part of the reason he could never travel to the Allies. He’d rather rip out his eyes than watch Zo and Gabe share their lives together.

Gryphon wasn’t quite sure when it happened, but somewhere in the trauma of the last two days he’d realized that he’d never really be happy without her. It was an awful feeling that gnawed at his gut and threatened all reason. Like discovering you’d lost your arm in battle. Living with the memory of what it was like to have that arm, and reminded every day of the loss.