16. Mari

Chapter sixteen

Mari

" T here is a backup in the creek somewhere in Hels Canyon. Our pasture is already under, and I don't know how long it will be until our house is next."

I stare at Soren, stalled in the entryway. Ash and Olive release the firm grasp they have on my hand, running over to there father.

"Let's go, Dad!" Violet follows suit, understanding the severity of the situation despite her young age.

I walk out into the rain, and holy shit. That's not a horse. This is what a horse wishes it was. It's massive and chalk white with gray speckles. It is so big, in fact, that it easily accommodates Ignus and the three children. No wonder they don't allow Ash to ride by himself yet. How would he even control the thing?

It is like comparing a shark and a megalodon. Sure, they look alike, but one is not like the other.

Ignus grabs the kids, and I help haul them onto his horse/behemoth.

"I'll be right behind you," Soren says, helping Olive settle herself between her brother and sister.

"Bring the kids to the house, and I'll go to the creek. Has anyone else been alerted?" Soren asks Ingus.

"Lilly ran to Augustus' house, and Em was already in the area. We also sent up a flare, so more will be coming." So much certainty. There is so much trust in his support system in this vast family structure. I have envied little in my life. But I do now.

With that, the four of them take off, disappearing into the misty evening.

Soren walks back into the mud room. His large hands fling open his chest, and he pulls out a dark jacket. He looks over at me, pulling out more items.

"Wait here. I'll be back soon," Soren says, his hulking body swiftly going to the kitchen, where a different chest is tucked into a niche in the wall.

"Like hell," I call over and stand between him and the exit. "You're not going to leave me here," I say, sliding into my hiking boots. "I'm strong and an excellent swimmer if it comes down to it. You'll need me there. Plus, there is no way in hell I'm letting you go to a flood site alone. That's a recipe for disappearing and never being found again." I find another rain cloak. It's way too big, but it will do the trick. Under it is a coiled length of rope. I grab that and tuck it under the cloak for safekeeping. This might come in handy.

I'veneverexplored this part of the property in my short time here.There was no chance to. A tall stone and mortar building comes into sight. Just two small lamps attached to the barn entryway light the way.

Inside, three colossal beasts lay in a pile of hay, bedded down for the night. They resemble horses, only thicker and taller. The way I picture horses looking in medieval times. More rugged and sharp, more fitting to carry an ogre-sized rider.

Rain pounds on the thatched roof, and a crack of lightning rips through the sky, followed by a boom of thunder that rattles through my bones.

The horses start to whinny and buck as the sky lights again. Violent, unencumbered. I'm no animal expert, butisn't it a bad idea to ridea horse in a storm?Aren't they known to be skittish?

Soren picks a pitch-black colossus standing tall in the dull light, unshaken as it materializes from the night itself. He leads it by the reins out into the storm.

"You're going to ride with me. Raven here can handle us both and keep speed." Raven? Fitting name. He examines my unease at the thought of riding with him. "You can always go back," he says, but with no tease this time—just genuine concern.

I gaze out the open barn door to the black, thunderous night. There is no way in hell I ' m staying in that house alone, I think to myself. Not wanting to admit to anyone that I'm terrified of being alone. Picturing that creature looming in the dark hallway, waiting for me. Waiting for its opportunity to get me alone, unarmed.

"I'm going," I say, nodding my head.

Before I have time to calculate my decision, he hoists me onto the beast and then follows behind, settling me between his massive muscled thighs.

He leans in close to my ear. "Pull your coat and hood down tight. It's going to be very wet." I want to snap back at him, but we're moving before I can.

The sound of the hooves almost drowns out the crash of the rain and the thunder. Our bodies move in time with the horse's at a speed I didn't know was possible.

One hand grips the reins, the other around my waist. I'm thankful for the massive leather coat. Feeling the heat of his palm on my skin might be a sensation I'm not ready for.

I wish I could see, well, anything. I need a point of reference to get my bearings. At least Soren seems to know where we are going. Do ogres see better than humans at night?

His hand squeezes my waist when he pulls up on the reins, slowing the horse. A touch I'm going to dismiss as a reflex.

We slow to a trot.

Now, in complete darkness, I strain my eyes for any outline, anything to focus on, to regain some composure in the surrounding forest.

Then I see it: a churning line of white water snaking through a narrow canyon. The crash of the furious current bouncing off the granite cliffs makes the already roaring, thunderous night somehow louder.

Soren slides off the horse and then holds out a hand to me. I go to slap at it because I'm capable of getting off myself. But before I can, he grabs me around the waist and lifts me off the beast like I weigh nothing.

Now, I'm thankful for the dark. He can't see the heat rising in my face or my aghast expression. Just in case, I turn away, pretending to assess the surrounding landscape.

"I could have done that myself," I say, backing away from him.

"You could have tried, or you could have broken your ankle."

He walks over to Raven's saddlebags and pulls out two jars topped with wax lids. He shakes the jars, and they illuminate with white swirling balls of light, then he hands one to me, noticing the stunned expression on my face.

"Those are sprite-lights. They have an enchantment that ensures they never go out. One of the few things we paid to enchant on the farm, that and the hot water."

The heavy night fills with the light, illuminating more space than I thought possible from my vantage point.

There it is, now visible with the crystal white light shining—the log jam.

The torrent of water is now forced to spill down the opposite side of the mountain pass, barreling into the farmlands below. I can see the water pooling in the shallow pastures—rising inch by inch as the minutes tick on.

Instinct , incredible, powerful instinct takes over, and I run over to the section of the river that backs up. Soren is right behind me; his footsteps pound in my ears, along with the sound of raging water.

The narrow passage is blocked by a pile of debris—but nothing too large. Small saplings, leaves, and other refuse from the forest floor. Nothing that could crush me. I examine the scene. It's all just smaller pieces creating a big problem .

The plan materializes in my mind. I pull the rope from under my jacket and toss it to him. "Tie that up to that tree over there." I point to a large willow a few feet away. "I have an idea."