Wicked Path (The Daath Chronicles Book 2) (9 page)

e stopped the horses close to the base of Nod Mountains. I dismounted Brushfire and patted her muzzle.

“I’m going to miss you, girl.”

I leaned my cheek against her warm skin, saying goodbye, then smacked her rear, sending her back to Jericho’s along with the other two horses. Watching Brushfire disappear into the tree line tore at my heart. She’d been with me through everything.

I prayed this wouldn’t be the last time I saw her.

“Ready?” Cael asked, shifting the large pack onto his back.

Raven grabbed my hand and gently squeezed. I didn’t want her to be here, yet I needed her. Even if I had left her in Daath, it didn’t mean she was safe; none of us were. Having her by my side strengthened me, and I’d do anything to protect her.

We were about to travel into a place no one had ever survived. Cael assured us The Order had mapped a specific route through the mountain’s deadly passes and built hidden halfway huts along the way. Anyone trying to follow us without the map or knowledge of the direct path wouldn’t survive, but this was Lucy. She wasn’t human, and if she had the same strength as Lucino, we were in trouble—serious trouble.

We walked past the last ash trees of Daath and began the climb. The packs we carried made travel slow, and the weight of the food, water, and blankets adding weariness to worry. If we could toss the packs, we’d get a better head start, but Cael said we’d need every single item for the trek.

The first time I asked my father about the Nod Mountains, he explained they were treacherous; not even the most skilled rangers attempted the climb. From where I stood now, the mountains didn’t seem that steep. Dirt spread over the rocks in a steady incline, clearly hikeable, and giant pines crowded the dense growth. Higher, the foliage blocked my view, though, from a distance, I’d noticed the mountains had white caps. I understood the purpose of the furs, but would we really travel that high?

Father also talked about the creatures living on the mountains: dangerous and carnivorous beasts. I didn’t think any creature could be fiercer than the white winter wolves, but if a wild beast did come after us, I’d have to be careful. Maneuvering uphill and around trees wasn’t easy; I’d have to be fast and accurate.

Cael led the way, with Raven in between us. Every few steps, I expected Lucy to pop out and attack.

Nothing.

While I covered our backs, Cael was too busy checking Raven and asking if she was okay. Did he know who she was? For a childhood friend who should’ve known her so well, he treated her like a dainty girl, and Raven was far from fragile.

Sweat pooled at my neck as we hiked through the dense woods. The last rays of sunlight peeked around the treetops, leaving shimmering spots of light behind. My stomach growled. I’d been so eager to get to the market this morning, I’d forgotten to eat.

Cael dropped his pack on the ground. “We’ll stop here.”

Raven sighed and slid her pack off her back. Her body tensed as she rolled out her shoulders and rubbed her neck. She was tough and strong, but our packs were heavy, even for me.

Surrounded by thickly, bristled trees, I still felt we had no cover and too many directions to watch. I scanned the area around us, unease gnawing at my belly. “You sure this is a good place to rest?”

Cael nodded. “We won’t hit a halfway hut for another day. Until then, this is the best protection we have.”

“I’ll look for some kindling,” Raven said, rubbing her hands together.

“Don’t go too far, and be careful,” I told her.

We were still in the fall season, but the air had grown colder as the suns disappeared.

Cael opened his pack and laid out his sleeping roll. “We’ll sleep in shifts.”

“I’ll take first watch.” I unrolled my own pack. “I’m too restless to sleep.”

He nodded.

With Raven off scouting, I took the opportunity to ask him a few questions. “You and Raven been friends a long time?”

“Since we were babes. Our mothers were friends.”

“Why did you leave Daath?”

“I’d rather not talk about it.” He knelt on the ground and began to clear a space for the fire.

“What about The Order? How does someone from Daath know anything about life on the other side? Are you really one of their priests?”

Cael stood. He was big, tall with a set of broad shoulders, and my age, possibly a year or two older. “You ask a lot of questions. What about you? How do you know Raven?”

“She’s my—”

“This should be enough.” Raven dumped a pile of twigs on the ground. “One of you can start a fire.”

“I’ll do it,” we said in unison.

Raven raised one eyebrow. “What’s with you two?”

“Nothing.” Cael smiled. “Avikar and I are just getting to know one another.”

Oh, come on… is he serious?
The dumb smile on his face made me want to wallop him something good.

“Good, because if Jericho was right about this place, we’ll need to work together.” Raven narrowed her gaze at me.

What?
We eyed one another before she turned away. I didn’t know Cael, and it was hard to trust someone you just met—especially a guy who was awfully friendly with my girl.

I pulled out a flint and striker from the pack and squatted in front of the kindling.

“I’ve never been this far.” Raven gazed out at the trees.

“We used to talk about climbing the mountains when we were little, remember?” Cael broke off a piece of dried mutton and handed it to her.

Thanks, I wasn’t hungry.
I struck the flint faster until it sparked, then carefully blew on the tiny flame.

“Yeah, but I never thought we’d actually do it.” Raven bit into the mutton, smiling at Cael.

I fanned the flame more, but kept it low enough that the smoke wouldn’t be a direct signal to us.

“Avikar, eat.” Raven nudged me and handed me a piece of her food.

“Thank you.” I slid away from the fire to sit beside her. “How long until we reach the other side?”

Cael poked the fire with a nearby stick. “A week, if we don’t run into any altercations.” He pulled the stick back and eyed me. “Why is Lucy after you?”

Raven agreed not to tell Cael about my sister’s kidnapping and the fight with Lucino. He thought I was a horse trainer brought in from the other side. I didn’t want to tell him the whole truth, but if he was risking his life for us, I had to give him something.

“I killed Lucino.”

“What?” His mouth dropped open and the stick fell out of his hands. “How? Why?”

“It’s a very long story,” I said.

“I think we have some time.” Cael folded his arms.

“Well, I’d love to hear more about The Order.”

We glared at one another, neither speaking first.

“Maybe we should get some rest?” Raven touched my arm. “I’m tired.”

I wrapped my arm around her waist, hugging her. “Okay.” I kissed her cheek and stood. “I have first watch. You can use my blanket too.”

Her eyelids fluttered and she yawned. “Thanks.”

She lay on the bedroll and I draped the blanket over her.

Raven and Cael fell asleep. This time, I walked around. I had learned my lesson back in Raswood forest when I almost fell asleep and we were nearly eaten by wolves. The woods were quiet; an owl hooted here and there, but there were no other noises. I found a tall tree and climbed. I hated climbing, but it would give me the best vantage point. As long as I didn’t think of falling, I’d be okay.

I set myself in between the branches, making sure I had a steady hold.

Don’t look down.

Idiot. I
had
to look down. I had to look everywhere. I breathed in deep, wiped the sweat off my hands, and focused on my surroundings. A quiet night with a cool breeze. No signs of a fire, or Lucy.

But she was coming for me.

Maybe not tonight or tomorrow, but soon.

Blood covered everything, my hands, my shirt. A gaping hole spread across the center of my stomach.

I shouldn’t be alive.

I put my hand through the hole, feeling air. A snake crawled onto my hand and I threw it off. Another one replaced it, then another, all slithering in and out of the hole and up toward my face.

Hundreds of snakes swarmed around me, and no matter how many I shook off, more followed.

Snakes wrapped around my neck, smothering me.

“Get off!”

I opened my eyes, my body jolting as I reached for the tree, but I wasn’t on it anymore. This was Cael’s watch, not mine. I’d fallen asleep near Raven.

Cael squatted next to me. “You all right?”

I grabbed the front of my shirt, searching for the hole. No hole, no snakes. I pulled my knees up and dipped my head in between them, catching my breath. It used to be dreams of drowning that haunted my nights, but snakes?

Why would I have a nightmare about snakes?

The serpent sculpture in Daath, and Daath’s guardian snake… of course…

“You all right?” Cael asked again, this time nudging my leg.

“Fine.”

With my head between my knees, I couldn’t see his face, and I was glad. Once I had my breathing back to a normal pace, I relaxed and stood. I wasn’t going back to sleep, not tonight.

Clouds blocked the moon, leaving us in darkness. Raven slept on her bedroll across from the fire. “Isn’t this her watch?” I remembered her saying she’d take the last one.

Cael stood, his gaze focused on Raven. “Let her sleep. I can take the watch.”

“She’ll be mad.”

“Because I let her sleep?”

For all their history, he didn’t know two licks about my girl. “I guess you’ll find out in the morning.”

He looked back at Raven, and I assumed he debated whether to believe me or not. I secretly grinned as the image of Raven walloping Cael for treating her like a girl erased the memory of the nightmare.