Chapter 60

Ellery

"Where was Meredith going?"Ryker asked.

It took me a couple of seconds to register that he was asking about my mother. When he arrived this morning, she'd been entering a portal with her suitcase.

"She visits Aunt Connie every year for her birthday, which is in three days. She almost didn't go this year, but I insisted. Things are quiet at the manor; the crops are coming in nicely, and there's no reason for her not to see her sister. Plus, she deserves a break."

"Hmm," he grunted.

I glanced at the sky. I couldn't see the sun through the thick trees and deepening shadows in this rocky section of woods, but the lengthening shadows told me it was getting closer to when we would call it quits.

We weren't prepared to spend the night in the forest, and while I'd done so before, I wouldn't do it in an area I didn't know well. That was begging for trouble.

"It's almost time to head back," I said as I searched the deepening shadows between the trees.

I couldn't see anything there but felt eyes watching my every move. I was certain we weren't alone.

The hair on my nape rose, but when I looked back, I saw nothing there either. My hand rested against the tip of my bow; its presence reassured me as my instincts screamed at me to run.

"A little longer," Ryker said.

"We can come back here tomorrow." When he looked over his shoulder at me, I sensed something desperate in his eyes. "Ryker…?"

He turned away before I could get a better read on him. I opened my mouth to protest further, but the snap of a twig stopped me.

I froze as I shrugged my bow off and nocked an arrow against it. I never heard him move, but Ryker was at my side in less than a second.

His chest brushed my arm as he took a possessive stance against my side. It was the closest we'd been in weeks, and I had to fight against melting into him as his heat enveloped me. My body came alive even as all my senses focused on the direction of the sound.

"There's something out there," I whispered.

"I know. Come out," Ryker commanded. "Now."

His tone made my bladder clench as his sword came free of its scabbard with a hiss of metal against leather. I didn't know who or what was out there, but looking at him, they'd be smart to rethink their options.

The leaves rustled, and some branches shifted as a head emerged from the trees. The young man lifted his hands as he stepped out of the woods. "I'm not here to hurt you."

"That wouldn't be possible," Ryker retorted.

I searched the woods for any sign of another threat while Ryker kept the man engaged. This guy could be the bait to distract us while more amsirah plotted their attack.

When I spotted a flash of color in the trees, my bowstring twanged as I let my arrow fly. It sped through the air and disappeared into the woods.

Someone yelped from the cover of the trees, but I hadn't done much damage to them. Judging by where I'd last seen them and where my arrow entered the forest, I'd guarantee they were stuck to a tree by their shirt and would get free soon.

I pulled two more arrows from my quiver and placed one between my teeth while I nocked the other against my bow and waited for more movement. Next time, I wouldn't be so kind.

So far, whoever was out there hadn't fired on us, but that could change. I doubted they didn't have bows.

"How many of you are there?" Ryker demanded.

"How much money do you have?" the man inquired.

"Enough to shove down your throat and choke you with it."

When someone else moved through the trees, I tracked them. I'd never killed anyone with my arrows before. I'd always known I ran the risk of having to do so while in these woods, but I'd told myself it would never happen.

I released the arrow and removed the other from between my lips to nock it too as the one I'd released thudded into a tree. The movement I'd been tracking ceased. I hadn't hit them but stopped them in their tracks.

The idea of killing someone who was just trying to survive turned my stomach, but I would make it home. Beside me, the air crackled as lightning danced across Ryker's fingers.

He was drawing the lightning closer to unleash on those surrounding us. Tension built in the air as the young man's eyes narrowed on him.

It would end badly if we didn't find a way to diffuse this or get out of here soon.