Chapter 18

Ellery

Scarletand I spent the next few weeks gradually dispersing the money we stole from Ryker in small pouches we cut up and created from feed bags. On each one, we wrote the initials H.R. so the amsirah would know who it was from. We didn't do it for recognition or acclaim; we hoped it would buy us enough loyalty to keep the amsirah in the towns from trying to hunt us for the reward.

For some reason, guilt niggled at me as we scattered the funds, but I shoved it down deep. Ryker's money would do a lot of good in The Hollows and surrounding towns.

It already was, even if the prince was talking about raising taxes again… to pay for his upcoming coronation. And his ascension to the throne was coming far too fast for my liking. There was no telling what that selfish asshole would do once he wore the crown.

The worst part was that I'd have to see it. The invitations had gone out last week, and anyone with any power in the realm, even farmers, were invited. We certainly weren't much, but my mother owned a manor in the kingdom, provided food, had the most sought-after horses, and my father had been a knight in the king's army.

The prince expected us to be there, and I hated it.

With a sigh, I closed the door on the pixie house and the half-full chest still tucked within. I rested my hands on my knees as I studied the door and tried not to think about Ryker recently adding another ten thousand carisle to the reward money for the Hooded Robber.

It was only a matter of time before the ones we were trying to help started hunting us too. They were loyal now because we gave them money, but they were also hurting, and so were their children. If a parent could stop that from happening, they would.

And I wouldn't blame them.

I rose and started to turn away from the trunk when movement amongst the trees stopped me. Pulling two arrows free of my quiver, I nocked one and was about to fire, but it had already vanished into the trees.

A ghost?

But no, it couldn't be—the forest had gone too quiet for it to be a ghost. Ghosts didn't cause the animals to stop moving; the creatures living here were used to their presence.

Breathing slowly in and out, everything inside me went still as I listened to the breeze ruffling the leaves. The Revenant Woods were a part of me, I was a part of them, and something was out there or… someone.

I didn't breathe as my heart beat out a steady tempo while I waited. A flash through the trees drew my attention, and before whatever it was could slip back into the shadows, I let an arrow fly.

The creature stalking me was fast, but not fast enough to avoid my bolt as the head of the arrow sliced across its side in a flash that caused it to grunt. And that grunt let me know it was a man, not a creature.

The hair on my nape rose. It can't be.

I couldn't see him, but suddenly I knew it was.

Ryker had been hunting the Hooded Robber… and finally found him. I was so grateful I'd donned my hood and black clothes before coming here today.

No one had ever come close to finding our location before, but I wouldn't go anywhere near the money without being concealed. That was a good way to get caught. However, it might already be too late for that.

I dared to take my eyes off the woods to glance at the door and the tree. How long has he been here, watching me?

Adjusting my hold on my bow, I edged away from the tree and deeper into the woods. The Scourge of the Ghouls is hunting me.

I'd never been so petrified in my life, not even when I robbed my first carriage. My legs hadn't shaken then, but my knees practically knocked together as my mind raced while I contemplated my escape.

I had to get into the trees. He was bigger, better trained, and stronger, but I knew these woods and the things residing here better than anyone. I was a part of the Revenant Woods in a way he never could be.

I nocked my other arrow against the string and held it there while I waited for something to move again. Killing him wasn't an option; I could never live with myself if I killed him because he was searching for the immortal who had stolen from him.

Stealing his money was one thing, and I could rationalize it by helping others, but I could never live with myself if I killed someone to keep my secret hidden. No, killing him wasn't an option, but I could use my arrows to get away, and I would.

A flicker of movement came from ten feet to my left. I had no idea how he'd gotten there so fast, but I spun and fired.

I didn't have to see where the arrow landed; my aim was never off. I wouldn't hit him because a tree still protected him, but the shot would keep him from poking his head out until I fled.

Swinging my bow onto my back, I sprinted for a tree, grabbed a low-hanging branch, and swung myself onto it. As I climbed, a poltergeist flew around my head, yelling, "Boo!"

I ignored it; that was the best thing I could do for the annoying creature as it brushed my skin and tried to encircle my head. Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself faster as I rose, ran across one tree branch, and launched onto another tree.

Leaping from limb to limb, I easily traveled from one tree to another. I picked up another poltergeist that twisted around my arm while wiggling its fingers in my face.

I didn't pay any attention to either of the chilly creatures as I remained focused on evading the man hunting me. Shit!

Robbing his carriage had been my biggest mistake, and I might be about to pay for it with my head. Tree branches slapped and battered me as I sprinted through the woods.

I stayed away from the conifers as they were a lot tougher to travel through. Glancing down, I spotted Ryker flashing through the leaves below.

I didn't want to harm him; he didn't deserve it. I was the one who'd brought this down on my head, but I couldn't let him catch me. He might kill me if he did, and if not, then he'd surely hand me over to the prince, who would definitely kill me.

My heart hammered, and my breath sounded loud in my ears, which wouldn't help me escape the Scourge. I had to get control of this situation, but I had no idea how to do it.

What did I do? Why did I have to rob that carriage?

It didn't matter. That was the past, and now I was trapped in the present with Ryker hunting me… and he would be ruthless.