BOUND (#1 in The Crystor Series)

by C.K. Bryant

Chapter Forty Six

  Octavion knelt by the fire and drew a crude map of the canyon in the dirt. They all listened closely as he placed each one of them in the position they’d be best suited for.

  “Kira, I want you to hide in the rocks,” Octavion instructed. “I think it will be the best vantage point. They won’t know you are there and you will be able to see everything.”

  “But won’t they come there first?” Kira asked. “That’s where you picked up their trail.”

  “It would trap them in the canyon. Now that they have been here, they will realize the entrance by the creek will suit them better.” He demonstrated by drawing an X in the dirt to indicate the location.

  “Cade, I want you right here, across from Kira. There’s a cluster of trees against the cliffs. It will keep you hidden.” He looked at Cade, who nodded. “If Kira gets into trouble—”

  “I understand,” Cade cut him off. “I will not let you down this time.”

  “Luka, you and I will be here at the entrance. We should be able to take most of them down before they get to the creek.”

  Octavion looked at Altaria, who waited patiently for her instructions. “My original plan did not include you, sister. You were to go with Kira.”

  “And you think I didn’t know that?” she asked. “But I would have fought you and won.” She grinned, a glint of mischief flashed in her eyes.

  “You didn’t tell me that part,” Kira complained. “When did you decide to take her?”

  “After you healed Luka’s shoulder.” He turned his full attention to her. “I do not want you healing again, Kira. The pain you felt in your chest gives me great concern. Your heart may not be strong enough.”

  “But what if someone’s hurt?”

  “It is a chance we will have to take.”

  “I’m not Serena,” Kira said. “I have a strong heart. The only reason it hurts now is because you poisoned me with your blood.”

  “We do not have time to discuss this. You know how I feel,” Octavion said.

  “As do the rest of us,” Altaria said, firmly. “Now where do you want me?”

  Octavion stuck his knife in the map at their bathing spot. “Do you think you can watch my back from here?” It positioned Altaria right between Octavion and Kira.

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “Wait,” Kira said. “That leaves her alone. Why don’t you have Cade protect Altaria and Toran can stay with me? That way we’d both be protected.”

  Octavion paused for a long moment, searching the faces of the others. Altaria looked away, while everyone else waited. “That is not an option, Kira.”

  “Why not?” she asked.

  Octavion sighed. “When Luka and I went after the Darkords, we tracked them to the base of the mountain near the foot bridge. We lost their trail, so we circled around and came up through the canyon. We found a lot of blood near the entrance. It was Toran’s.”

  “He’s dead? Why didn’t you tell me?” Kira felt like someone had ripped out her heart. “Did you find his body? Maybe he’s out there somewhere bleeding to death. We have to go look for him.”

  Octavion shook his head. “No. But there was a lot of blood and I know it was Toran’s. Luka tracked him as far as the creek and lost his trail there. If he was alive, he would have made his way back to the clearing by now.”

  The rest of the planning session was a blur for Kira. She sat next to Octavion, half listening and half mourning the loss of a good friend and protector. She’d never given much thought to how much he’d come to mean to her. Now it was too late.

  Octavion cleared his throat and stood. “Luka, you take Altaria to the creek. Make sure she is settled before going to your station. Cade and I will take Kira to the rocks. We should all go at the same time, in case they are waiting for us. Are there any questions?”

  “How many?” Kira asked.

  Altaria spoke this time. “We’re not sure. We know Bastian and at least three others—and of course, Shandira. I don’t expect her to show her face until it’s almost over. She’s a coward. She won’t want to actually fight, just take all the glory. And we mustn’t forget her scouts. If she’s somehow convinced them to rejoin her, they’ll be there as well. At least the one without the mangled hand.” She winked at Kira.

  “She sounds like a real piece of work.” Kira did not want to meet up with her.

  “She is ruthless,” Octavion said. “Remember that.”

  Altaria adjusted her sword on her back. “And remember—she has the same blood we have. She can appear and disappear very quickly, avoiding a blow with a blade. Don’t go up against her, Kira. Promise me.”

  “I promised not to fight unless I’m protecting myself, remember?”

  Altaria flashed her crooked grin. “I remember, but I also know you. Promise me you won’t challenge her.”

  “I promise.”

  Altaria unfastened her ruby necklace. “Would you hold this for me again?” she asked, extending her hand.

  “Sure.” Kira opened her healing pack and slid it inside. She could have left the pack behind, but since the guys would be leaping, she thought it wise to keep a few vials of Octavion’s strengthening concoction handy. She also had the Gyllrue if someone lost a lot of blood and a few other herbs for helping with pain. Regardless of what Octavion thought about her healing, she wanted to be prepared for anything. Hopefully, she wouldn’t need them.

  Altaria slid her hand into her pocket and pulled out her mother’s heart-shaped necklace. “I’ll wait to wear this until we are ready. I don’t want her trying to read my thoughts. I think that’s where we went wrong last time.”

  Octavion nodded. “I believe you are right. Is everyone ready?” They all stood. For an instant—no one moved, as if saying a silent prayer. Octavion squared his shoulders. “Let’s do this.”