Page 20

Chapter

Thirteen

TATE

“We have to stop soon,” Jared states the obvious, shouting to be heard over the lashing wind.

The sun is setting behind the mountains to the west, and the slope we walk down is already cast in shadows, which makes the freezing wind even worse.

Emphasizing Jared’s observation of us needing to make camp.

The winding path we are on skirts the edge of a mighty drop, which forces us to go single file.

“I would feel much better knowing all of them were behind the academy walls for the night,” I yell back.

“Falling to their deaths will kill them as surely as another attack would,” Jared teases, glancing at the forested valley far below us. “And Zephyr starts complaining about the wind. It costs them too much strength to keep circling.”

“Why didn’t you tell me the wind is getting too much?” I ask Daeva.

“It’s not. Zephyr is just complaining,” she answers, insulted. Admitting weakness is not her strength.

“Because I’m not weak,” she huffs.

“Fine,” I tell Jared. “We should reach a suitable place within the next half hour.” I shake my head when Jared raises his arms and lets his head fall back, thanking the gods for my decision.

About half an hour later, we reach the place in question. Trees surround a medium-sized clearing, holding off the wind that has lashed at us constantly for the past hour or two. I don’t like that the trees can be used to sneak up on us, but the light is already low.

As soon as I declare we stop for the night, most of the runners simply plop down where they stand. I did push them hard today.

“ They are not the only ones. If I can’t go off to hunt something soon, you can decide which runner you’ll miss the least,” Daeva gripes.

I chuckle even though I’m not sure she’s joking.

“ It’s fine. Go off, feed yourself, and take the other birds with you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cassius glowering down at someone. Even if I can’t see the person on the ground, I know who it is.

“ Have a good hunt. I have to take care of something,” I say, already heading in their direction, not in the mood for whatever is going on now.

“ If you kill someone, tell me so I can abandon the hunt,” Daeva teases. At least I think she’s kidding.

“ Will do.”

“ Don’t have too much fun without me.” With those parting words, she veers away from me.

“So that is how you want to play it now?” Summer asks, and she sounds pissed.

“Is there a problem here?” I ask, taking in the picture in front of me.

Summer is sprawled out on the ground like she fell over where she stood.

It doesn’t look comfortable. She’s lying on her pack, which is still strapped to her back.

Her head is lifted now but has been tilted back before, exposing her throat, with Cassius standing over her.

Anger explodes through me, but I stifle it.

Is this what all this tension is about?

If all of this is simply a lover’s spat, I will rip Cassius’s fucking head off.

Summer is beautiful, I’ll give him that, but damn, he should know better. Now that I know, I notice the telltale signs of her feminine form, like her slender waist, even if her loose shirt conceals most of it.

How have I missed it before?

Ilario leans against her. It’s as if they are very comfortable in each other’s presence, accentuated by the arm she has thrown over his chest.

Summer looks at me and drops her arm, freeing Ilario.

Otero, give me strength and patience.

No one has answered my question so far. I raise my eyebrows at Cassius.

“No, no problem, Centurion.” His voice sounds as rigid as his posture.

“Glad to hear that,” I answer dryly, even though it’s a lie. This situation is ridiculous, and since talking to Cassius doesn’t seem to do the trick, I’ll have a word with Summer. I point at Ilario.

“Now, Ilario, get settled. I doubt Summer wants to play your cushion all night. Cassius, do your job and appoint guards for the night. Summer, come with me,” I command.

Cassius and Ilario hurry off. I pull Summer to her feet, and she first stares at my hand, then drops it like I burned her.

I decide to let it go and stride off to the edge of the camp, ready to get this over with.

I turn, facing the camp, keeping an eye out for anyone who comes close enough to listen in. It’s nearly dark by now, and the rest of the division is only moving shadows. Like yesterday, I limited us to one fire for the night.

“This is now the second time I find you in the middle of an argument with your squadron leader.” Summer opens her mouth like she wants to argue, and I raise my hand to stop her. “I don’t know what is going on with you and Cassius, but—”

That is as far as I get. Summer’s eyes widen, and she catches me off guard when she rushes me. Grabbing my elbows, she pushes me around and down.

I stumble back, and Summer lights up in a bluish-white light. Her body twitches, then bows back, her face a picture of pain.

She groans in agony. Her eyes start to glow from within, and light dances over her skin in little sparks.

Lightning.

I jump up, drawing my blades, but I’m blinded by the bright image of Summer’s silhouette dancing in front of my eyes. Cries of alarm ring through the camp, and I move, closing in on the source connected to Summer by a stream of light.

“What is going on?” Daeva screeches,alerted by my turmoil.

I relay the images while I keep moving. My eyes slowly adjust, and I hurry the process along with my healing gift. I start to make out my surroundings.

No one jumps out at me, and the lightning wielder’s gaze is fixed on Summer, who is still engulfed in light. His magic is a strangely constant stream flowing into her, and he looks horrified.

A trick of light, surely, since I doubt he will lose a night’s sleep over killing the wrong person. Because there is no doubt in my mind that this attack was meant for me.

I creep closer, but the lightning wielder still doesn’t spare me a glance, seemingly transfixed by Summer. He doesn’t even move when I attack, and my short sword slips between his ribs without resistance.

The lightning stops the same moment the light leaves his eyes, and he crumples at my feet.

I stare down at him.

That was strange.

Jared appears next to me. I still hear shouts and voices from the camp but nothing else indicating an attack. My eyes fly to where Summer stood only seconds ago, but there is only a slumped form on the ground, and other runners gather around her.

“Guard him,” I snap.

“Sure thing,” Jared murmurs while my gaze is already fixed on Summer.

I’m furious. What right does she have to step in front of me, to offer her life for mine without even knowing me?

There are already too many deaths on my shoulders without adding her to that list.