White Stag (Permafrost #1)(18)

“Janneke,” he said, motioning to Elvira, Helka, and the other goblin. Elvira’s dark hair was pulled back into similar braids as mine, although golden strands were woven through it like vines. Her sword lay sheathed across her back, her stance easy and relaxed. The power coming off her hit me like a crashing wave. Helka smirked at me, her flaming hair loose around her shoulders, making the red in her eyes seem like embers in a fire. I narrowed my eyes at her. I heard what you said last night. I hope you know that. Both were near Soren’s age, maybe a few centuries or a millennia older, but the third one had the look of a goblin newly grown into her power. She had on a black cloak and her raven-colored hair spilled around her like an angel’s wings. Her golden eyes were eager as they latched onto me and seemed to glow against her copper skin.

“You know Elvira and Helka,” Soren said. “The young one is Rekke. She’s Elvira’s niece.”

Rekke snarled at Soren. “I am not young.”

“Of course, you aren’t,” Soren said, brushing her aside. He took my hand and led me to the cream-colored horse. “I figured you needed a horse to ride. This is my last present. Name him what you will, and when you do, make sure he’s bound to it.”

I looked at the young stallion, and he snorted at me, pawing the ground. The look of a trapped animal, one I knew well, was on his face. I put a hand on his flank and stroked the soft hair.

“Panic you are, from this day ’til your last. Be you bound to this name and this call. Panic, running quick as thunder, fierce as lightning’s flash, Panic, now you be mine.” I’d never heard the words to name and bind an animal before, but they came to me as easily as if I’d always known them. A trickle of fear went down my spine. That shouldn’t be possible. It couldn’t be possible. But it was.

The newly named Panic nickered and nibbled my shoulder affectionately. I stroked his mane, watching as he let his hoof rest on the ground, finally at ease. The gaze of the other goblins burned into the back of my neck as I tried to calm myself.

I caught Elvira’s dark gaze and forced myself to hold it. “Yes?”

She smiled a vicious and beautiful smile. “Color me surprised. I thought Soren was exaggerating about you.”

“I don’t exaggerate,” Soren said. He clasped his hands together, his gloved fingers entwining. “Shall we ride?”

Elvira nodded and mounted her cat without a moment’s hesitation. Her little niece, still glaring at Soren, and Helka mounted their steeds.

I ran my hand across Panic’s flank once more before climbing into the saddle. The reins felt right in my hands, the saddle perfect against my bottom. The thrill of the Hunt started coursing through my veins. The power of the kill was still buzzing in my head. It took all my willpower to shut it down.

Soren pulled up beside me, watching as Elvira and her girls took the lead. “You know why I allied with them?” he asked.

“To stop Franz and Lydian from doing so,” I said. “You must’ve gleaned that much from my sleep talk.”

He nodded. “Elvira and Helka are skilled hunters. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be able to compete.”

I looked around the courtyard. Many lordlings had already set off to hunt, but many still remained. Some of them might not even bother; the ones with lower power would find it hard to survive, much less fare well.

“Lydian hasn’t left yet,” I said, catching a glimpse of his entourage. “He’s probably trying to find another alliance.”

“Probably.” Soren nudged his horse forward, and I followed. “This is the beginning of everything,” he said. “For you.”

I was silent, forcing down the excitement again. No, “excitement” wasn’t the word. “Drive” was. A prey drive, just like every predator. I swallowed my fear. I would get out of here before he took anything else, even if I had to vow it on the ashes of everything I loved.

Panic gave a nervous whinny, and suddenly I knew my thoughts were not solely my own because our minds were now linked through a bond similar to the one I shared with Soren. I stroked his flank again. “You and I are one and the same.”

Soren’s lips twitched again. “Bonded animals can feel our thoughts. Does he feel your excitement? Your drive?”

No, but he feels something else. We will escape, he and I. “Yes.”

Soren looked ahead to where Elvira and the others waited. “Then let’s go. We have a stag to hunt.”

“We do,” I said. And the sooner it leaves the Permafrost, the better. I was about to kick Panic into a canter, but Soren laid a hand on my shoulder. Goose pimples rose on my flesh as warmth seeped into my skin.

“Watch Rekke for me,” he said. “I don’t trust her.”

“I don’t trust any of them.” I gazed at the dwindling figures of the three female goblins.

He inclined his head in agreement. “Yes, but I know Elvira and Helka. I don’t know Rekke. And neither do you. So, keep your eyes sharp.”

“This isn’t my first hunting trip.”

Soren narrowed his eyes. “It’s the first one where you’re not just hunting an animal. Never forget that. We’re allied with them now, but that will break sooner or later, and when it does, it will be because someone has a knife in their back. I’d rather it not be you.” With those words, he kicked Terror into a canter and charged forward.