Chapter 61

Ellery

"I'm not goingto let them hurt you," he growled so low I barely heard him.

"We can open a portal out of here."

"There's not enough time. They'll attack before we can leave."

I already suspected that, but having him confirm it was a stone weight around my heart. When something else moved through some low bushes, I shifted my bow to track them.

I wished I could use my lightning too, but that would be a worse decision than donning the hood. If these assholes knew they were facing two lightning bearers, they'd flee screaming into the woods; one should still send them running real fast.

The twang of a bow alerted me to the fired shot before I spotted the arrow arcing high into the air; it would come down on me if I didn't do something. Lifting my bow, I shot the arrow from the sky and removed another from my quiver. I had the arrow against my bow before the one I'd fired collided with the other and knocked it away.

A murmur ran through the trees, followed by the familiar click of more arrows nocking against bows. Whoever was out there was arming themselves, and they had more weapons than us.

However, they were holding back from killing us, which told me they would defend themselves but didn't want to. These were farmers, merchants, and townsfolk who were driven from their homes and turned to stealing to survive. Thankfully for us, they were not murderers, because they had the advantage.

The lightning crackled more intensely between Ryker's fingers. I felt its electricity against my skin as it rose toward his wrists.

"You don't want to fuck with him," another voice said from the woods as a figure strode through the trees toward us.

I couldn't make out the man yet, but he had no fear as he walked straight toward us. He was either really brave or stupid.

"It's not going to end well for you if you do," the man continued.

I shifted my bow toward the voice, but Ryker retracted the lightning before resting his hand on my arm. I glanced at him to discover his brow furrowed as confusion etched his features.

"Tucker?" Ryker inquired.

The leaves rustled, and a tall, lean man with dark blond hair emerged from the forest. He strode closer and stopped a few feet away.

Planting his hands on his hips, his sea-blue eyes twinkled when he grinned at Ryker. He was handsome with high cheekbones and a narrow jawline covered in stubble.

"What are you doing here?" Tucker asked.

"I could ask the same question of you."

"Well, that's a tale better shared with some alcohol, don't you think?"

Ryker waved a hand at the others as they crept out of the woods. "What about them?"

"They won't attack a friend of mine." Tucker leaned slightly to the side to look at the men and women emerging from the trees. "Will you?"

A murmur ran through the group, and a second later, over two dozen of them stood only fifteen feet away. A couple had bows and arrows, a few others held swords, but most held staffs.

They were a motley mix with their ragged clothes, dirty faces, and various ages. My heart broke for them as they lowered their weapons and eyed us.

One of them wiped away the blood trickling down his arm. His shirt had a large tear across it.

I smiled with satisfaction. Just as I'd assumed, I'd only gotten his shirt and barely nicked his flesh.

When he scowled at me, I rolled my eyes. I could have done a lot worse; he must see that.

"You can lower your bow," Ryker said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

I returned my arrow to its quiver and lowered my weapon as Tucker closed the distance between him and Ryker. They clasped hands before embracing and slapping each other on the back.

I had no idea who Tucker was, but he obviously meant a lot to Ryker. I'd never been more curious about anyone in my life.

Tucker stepped back. "Come on. We've got a lot to catch up on."

The others surrounded Ryker and me as we followed Tucker through the woods.