Chapter 43

Ellery

It was nearlynight by the time we returned to the manor. I emerged from the woods, feeling confused and uncertain about the man by my side.

He was still an overbearing asshole, but I could tell he was pondering what he'd seen today of the towns. After leaving The Hollows and Hallsey, he'd grown very subdued. The only time we spoke on our return journey was when he took the lead and led me to the tree where I once stored the money I stole.

"What's this?" I inquired, hoping I'd succeeded in keeping the trepidation from my voice.

"This is where I encountered the Hooded Robber and where he kept my money."

I couldn't think of how an innocent person would respond so I kept my mouth shut, which probably wasn't what an innocent person would do either. Then I felt like a fool for standing there, and words started flowing.

"How did he get away from you?" I blurted while ignoring the sweat beading my forehead and upper lip.

"He's small, fast, and knows these woods well. He's also a lightning bearer."

I knew I had to react utterly stunned by this revelation and gasped as my mouth dropped. "I thought you were the only one."

"So did I." Ryker shut the pixie door, wiped his hands on his pants, and rose. "I'm sure everyone in this realm believes the same thing, and I would like to keep it that way."

I didn't know his reasons, but I wouldn't argue with him. If he didn't spread the word there was another lightning bearer in the realm, then it wouldn't get back to my mother, and I wouldn't have to face her extreme disappointment in me.

I shuddered as I imagined the distress in her eyes. She trusted me completely; that would all change if she learned the truth.

"It also tells me something about the Hooded Robber," Ryker continued.

Unable to stop myself, I wiped the sweat from my brow. "What?"

"He's young."

The sweat trickling down my nape cleaved my shirt to me. I didn't think he realized how much he was describing me. If I'd been a man, he probably would have put it all together already and hauled me off to the sheriff by now, but because he was so certain the Hooded Robber was a man, he didn't see the similarities.

Despite this blessing, I couldn't help feeling annoyed by it. The Hooded Robber didn't have to be a man just because he was a fast thief and lightning bearer. Okay, maybe I was the first known female lightning bearer to exist, but his conviction that I was a man still irked me.

Are you mad? Be happy!

When I had to use my lightning barrier ability in front of him, I was sure it was the worst thing that could happen. Now that he'd said he intended to keep it quiet, I realized it was the best thing to happen.

"Why do you think he's young?" I asked.

"Because, as far as I know, he hasn't used that ability somewhere others have witnessed it, not just me. One day that will change, and he'll have to defend himself where others will see it. When that happens, the whole realm will know what he is, and if I haven't found him by then, I will once that happens."

I gulped. Was the collar of my shirt getting tighter?

"Why aren't you telling others what you know about the Hooded Robber?" I asked.

"Because when he finally has to use his power in public, I want to be the one to bring him down."

Oh yes, my collar was definitely constricting as the damn thing became a noose around my neck.

"So far, only me and now you"—his eyes were penetrating when they bored into me—"are the only ones who know this secret… at least as far as we know. And we will keep it that way."

"Of course," I murmured as I forced myself not to look away from his penetrating stare.

As we strode across the grass toward my home, Scarlet emerged from the greenhouse to the far left of the property. She stopped to watch as Ryker put two fingers in his mouth and gave a loud whistle that made me wince.

A few seconds later, his beautiful horse trotted into view. Its chin curled into its chest as the stallion pranced across the grass with its ears pricked forward. The creature stopped before Ryker and blew out some air before nudging him.

I still wasn't sure what to make of this man, but his steed loved him, and I was very attuned to how animals treated others. They were always the best indicator if someone was a complete dick or not.

In this horse, I sensed an extremely proud animal who only tolerated being touched by those who had earned the privilege. My fingers itched to stroke his velvety muscle, but I kept them at my side.

"I'll be back at the same time tomorrow," Ryker said. "I want to go deeper into the forest; are you up for that?"

I bristled at his words. "The forest doesn't scare me."

"Good."

He grasped the stallion's mane and swung onto its back. He settled himself and collected a handful of hair before gently nudging the stallion with his left knee. The horse turned and trotted across the grass and onto the dirt lane, where the kicked-up dust caused them to disappear.

I watched them for longer than I should have as I tried to puzzle out the conundrum of Ryker. When I first met him, he was jovial and full of life.

His time in the war and Doomed Valley had turned him into a cold, distant man. While I knew how such things could change someone, I didn't understand how he could be willing to turn his back on Mouse before reluctantly offering his help.

Despite that, he hadn't tried to crush the spirit of his stallion, like others would have, even if they still failed to tame the beast. Many would have destroyed the animal instead of riding it without a saddle and bridle.

He'd trained the horse to respond to leg commands, which took a lot of work. It also took someone with a lot of patience, understanding, and a good heart. He'd earned Xanthus's trust, and the horse had rewarded him by making him a loyal friend.

I had to admire that.

Scarlet came to stand beside me. "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

But I didn't know if that was true.

"How did it go out there today?"

"Better than expected but also worse… if that makes sense."

"Not really."

With a sigh, I turned to face her. Her pretty brown eyes were full of concern as she studied me.

"I thought I'd hate him, but I don't," I admitted.

Her eyebrows rose at this admission. "What does that mean?"

"I wish I knew. And I really wish I hadn't gotten myself into this mess. My mother's hoping for a reward we can never collect, and I'm leading Ryker into the forest, a place of danger and death, all while knowing I'm the one he's hunting."

Scarlet rested her hand on my shoulder. "You couldn't have known your mother would offer to have you help him."

"No, but I knew I was putting myself and everyone I love in jeopardy when I put on that hood. I'm horrible."

"No, you're not. You were trying to help, and since I was right there with you, that would make me horrible too. Do you think I'm awful?"

"Of course not, but you were there to talk me out of it."

"True, but when I failed to do so, I also helped. We both did things we shouldn't have, Lery, but we can't take it back."

"What if he gets hurt in the woods because of me?"

"He won't."

"How do you know that?"

Scarlet squeezed my shoulder. "Because he'll have you there to make sure he stays safe."

I hoped she was right, but doubt and guilt clawed at me as I stared at the dust settling on the empty road.