BloodLust (Rise of the Iliri Book 1)

by Auryn Hadley

  "I know, big brother," Cyno said, patting his arm. "Is na yer fault, man."

  "I enlisted, too," LT said. "They didn't ask, I didn't tell."

  Sal looked over to Razor, the second darkest of the Black Blades. He shook his head.

  "Nope. Got caught in Lewes." He grinned, showing sharp teeth. "Seems growling is a very distinctive trait. Worst way to lose a fight."

  The men chuckled, understanding what he meant.

  "So none of us own our lives as it is. One way or another, they control us." Sal gestured at the crates. "Then what do we have to lose? Worst that happens is nothing changes. The best? Maybe they understand us better?"

  "It's worth it," Cyno said. "The risk is outweighed by the reward."

  "So what now?" Zep asked. "We're sitting on the most important find I've heard of in centuries. What the fuck do we do with it?"

  "We get it to the professors," Blaec said. "Quietly. Once it's in their hands, there will be enough copies and enough documentation of its existence that they can't make it go away."

  "And Jase," Sal said, holding his eyes when he looked up at her. "Keep reading," she told him. "Read as much as you can. Remember it."

  Blaec turned at the tone of her voice. Sal hadn't asked, she'd just given an order. It wasn't the first time. She had a tendency to just take control, and the men instinctually did what she asked. They couldn't stop themselves – because it was in their nature – and half the time she didn't notice until it was done.

  She saw his eyes on her and shot him a questioning look, flicking her ears up. He smiled just as their horses reacted. Arden threw her head up, staring into the trees. Scorch and a few others spooked. The men quickly gained control of their mounts, heads looking in all directions for the cause, their mental voices battering each other's minds.

  Quiet! Sal screamed at them.

  Immediately, they fell silent and she could hear beyond her head. She breathed in deeply, seeing a few of the others doing the same, but she couldn't find a scent. Her ears swiveled. She could hear something, but just barely. It was getting louder.

  They're downwind, Arctic said.

  I hear them, she thought. A lot of them, and they aren't ours.

  Chapter 36

  "We need to move!" LT ordered.

  Cyno shoved the documents back into the crates, securing the lids tightly. The Blades spun their horses in place, hands on their weapons, eyes scanning the trees around them. Sal's ears flicked behind her and she heard it again. The sound may have been the step of a horse or it could have just been a branch blowing in the gentle breeze. She breathed in but could only smell the anxiety of her brothers in arms.

  The oxen will be too slow, she thought to Jase. Reaching behind her, she grabbed the horse's picket line from her pack and moved her mare up beside the wagon. "Jase," she called, throwing the rope at him when he looked up. Tie them together, we'll throw it on Arden.

  What about you? he asked.

  Raven can carry double.

  He nodded and untied Raven from the back of the wagon, tossing her the reins, then turned his attention to tying knots. Sal moved to Raven's back and pulled Arden to her side, moving as close to the wagon as possible.

  "We need ta get the packs on a horse. We'll move too slow otherwise," Cyno said to Razor.

  He nodded, but Cyno had already started lifting the crates onto Arden. He balanced them as evenly as he could, securing the ropes to the rings on the saddle. Razor moved to his gelding's side and began tightening his girth, keeping one eye on the assassins. The Blades closed in around them, unwilling to leave any of their unit behind, but anxious to be on the move.

  "Zep?" Cyno called.

  "Yeah?"

  "Take Arden, I'll get Sal."

  Zep pushed Cessa close enough to grab the spotted mare's reins. Sal shifted back on Raven's hip and Cyno leapt in front of her, awkwardly making his way into the saddle. He nodded for Sal to get comfortable.

  When they were astride, LT said, "Good call, Cyno."

  He shrugged and turned Raven into the trees. "Was Sal's idea."

  She kept her ears mobile, twisting and turning them for a sign of their pursuit while the Black Blades made their way into the wilderness. She sucked in deep breaths, tasting the scent carefully as she clung to Cyno's waist. Whoever was after them was good. She only caught a hint of something, but not enough for her to feel any wiser.

  Ravens? she asked them.

  Shit, Arctic thought, squeezing Bazya into a trot.

  Terrans, Blaec replied tensely, matching the pace. They fletch their arrows with raven feathers. What else? Anything you get... what else, Sal?

  She inhaled deeply and flicked her ears around again. The sound of the horses' hooves muffled anything she may have heard, but a strange scent teased the edge of her senses.

  I smell something, but I don't know what it is.

  Describe it, Zep suggested, yanking Arden between a pair of trees.

  She searched her mind for the right words, but couldn't find anything. The concern flowing from the men made her feel rushed. Fuck it. Blaec, here. She threw the memory of the scent at him.

  Shit, Shift thought, looking back wide eyed while he wove Boo between the trees. You shouldn't be able to do that! How did you do that? None of us can pass memories without touching!

  She just did it, Cyno said, gesturing to Blaec staring blankly at Scorch's shoulder.

  She smelled oranges, Blaec told them.

  Fuck, Zep thought, and the others agreed.

  It's Black Widows, Arctic told Sal. Their resin smells like citrus. How close are they?

  I don't know.

  Sal, he demanded, his concern tinting his mental voice. How close?

  She inhaled again. They're gaining.

  I'd rather lose the horses than any of you, LT snapped in their heads, thinking of their destination. So move! Two clicks. Go!

  They put their heels to their mounts. A full speed retreat through the woods was very different from a leisurely canter. Trees seemed to appear under the horse's legs as they ran. Leaves hid traps that could break their legs. The Escean foothills were not the most predictable footing. Each stride became a nightmare.

  Bazya stumbled, throwing Arctic against her neck, but recovered. Arden followed on the wrong side of a tree, pulling her rein from Zep's hand, forcing him to circle around to catch her. Raven jumped a downed tree and only Sal's grip on Cyno's waist kept her on the horse's back.

  The noise of their mount's crashing hooves almost covered the sound. Almost. Sal heard the snort of a horse well behind her and snapped her head around. Sunlight flicked off a pale red hide then vanished into the undergrowth. She sent a warning to the men as she reached for the crossbow poking her leg from the back of the saddle. Jase's quiver was strapped to his back, pressing into her chest. She grabbed a bolt and loaded the weapon. It wasn't easy to do while the horse bounced her around.

  In only a few strides she saw it again. Leaning low on his mount's neck, the soldier was clad in black leather. His head was bare, and she could see his grimace, white teeth etched against his dark skin.

  They're on us! she warned.

  Blaec glanced over his shoulder. Do what you can. We need to get to the creek bed!

  Sal shifted her grip on Cyno then leaned back. Watching between trees, she waited. When a man appeared, she lifted her arm and loosed. The bolt buried itself in his neck, his cry causing the Blades to look back.

  One down, she said, but there's more.

  Good, Arctic thought. Pick 'em off, Sal. Lame the horses, kill the riders, I don't care, just make an opening!

  She pushed her thighs closer to Cyno and wedged the crossbow against her chest, sending an acknowledgment across the link while she grabbed another bolt. Keep us at the back, she thought.

  Can do, kitten, he said, lifting the reins.

  Raven collected, falling behind the other horses, then surged forward. Sal swayed on the slick hair but Jase grabbed her leg until she was s
teady. This time, the Black Widows came at them in a group. Sal spotted the first horse and loosed, the bolt sinking deep into the flesh behind its jaw. It reared in its tracks and she thought it was going to throw itself over, but trees obscured her view. She reloaded as fast as she could, pointing across her body.

  Intent on the man before him, the Terran didn't notice Sal's weapon. She aimed for his throat, just as Raven jumped a cluster of brush. The shot went wild, hitting his horse's foreleg instead. The poor animal staggered, taking only two steps before carrying the leg and losing speed.

  She grabbed another bolt. Three, she counted, pleased.

  Her neck and back were starting to ache from contorting while trying to balance. She turned again and saw a soldier grin as he raised his own crossbow. Panic flared in her head and time slowed to a crawl. Her body wanted to dodge but Cyno's unprotected back would take the hit if she did. While she watched the man's finger close on the trigger, Sal aimed. Their eyes met, and she smiled as she shifted to cover her partner and squeezed the release.

  Searing pain lanced through her back, making Sal gasp. Her fingers dug into Jase's side as her shoulder went strangely numb. Her bolt had lodged deep in the man's skull. When she looked again, he tumbled from his horse, dead.

  Sal?! Jase asked, tilting his head over his shoulder.

  Don't fucking stop! She screamed at his mind.

  An intense warmth spread down her back. Her pupils dilated, and her senses sharpened, but her left arm grew weaker by the second. She struggled to load the crossbow yet again, her fingers not obeying the commands. Growling, she forced the bolt into the rail, unwilling to let the arrow in her back slow her.

  Sal looked for another target. Shooting pain lanced down her spine and up into her jaw. She leaned into it and took aim. They were keeping back, now, but the terrain grew more difficult, making the shots even harder. She squeezed off another and heard a horse scream as her world seemed to drop out from under her. Raven staggered and caught herself, but Sal was thrown into Jase's back. Instinctually, she grabbed at him. When her left arm failed her, the right took over. The crossbow tumbled to the ground and Sal tilted precariously on the horse's back.

  Go, Jase, just go. I lost the bow.

  Ya hit? he asked.

  Yeah. Just go, killer.

  He went. Raven dug deep into the ground, each step like fire up Sal's spine. She shoved her head into his shoulder and groaned, but clung tightly. The Black Blades pulled closer, following Arctic as they hit a path then slid down into the creek bed.

  We've been here before, Zep said, looking around.

  Yeah, LT agreed. There should be a set of caves close by.

  The Rokish assassins? Risk asked.

  Yeah.

  I remember, Risk said. This way. He turned Phoenix upstream.

  The water splashed noisily but hid their tracks. Sal tried to find any hint of the Black Widow Company, but got nothing. It wasn't long before the water in the creek sloshed against their feet, well over the horses' knees. Soaked, they moved onto the far bank, into a stand of evergreens. A small opening brought smiles to the faces of the Black Blades. All except Zep.

  Guys, I'm useless, he warned them as he slid from Cessa's back.

  We've done this before, Arctic reminded him. You just have to trust us.

  With my life, Zep agreed. There was no hint of joking in his voice.

  The rest followed suit, dismounting and moving their horses into the small cave. Cyno hopped down from Raven then reached up, pulling Sal into his arms. LT saw, and rushed to her side.

  You're hit?

  Yeah.

  Get in there, Blaec ordered. Risk, Sal needs you.

  Once inside, the ground sloped down steeply and the walls opened up. Arctic moved to Zep's side, resting his hand on his shoulder, and Sal staggered in behind them. Well inside the cave, she stopped and struggled to reach the bolt in her back, panting at the pain.

  I need one of you to pull this, she snapped. I can't reach it.

  Jase turned and forcefully shoved her against the wall, holding her face against the stone with his forearm, his hip pressing into her back. Sal sucked in a breath and tried to relax, knowing what came next. He leaned close, his breath against her neck, and paused.

  Ya in the 'lust? he asked, his thoughts for her mind alone.

  Yes. Sal looked at him over her shoulder.

  Good, he purred, tha' makes this easier.

  He bit her neck. His teeth sank into her flesh and Sal moaned softly, her eyes closing in pleasure when he shoved her against the rock even harder. She began to melt into the strength of him, then screamed as pure pain tore at her body. The sudden shock of it gave her the power to push Jase off and she spun to face him, her teeth bared, her ears pinned close to her head.

  He smiled at her and held the bloody bolt between them for explanation. It hurts less if ya do na struggle.

  He tossed it on the ground and Risk moved cautiously to her side. She nodded and offered him her hand but he looked quickly to Cyno and LT before taking it. When they made no move to stop him, he wrapped his fingers around hers, closed his eyes, and exhaled.

  Sal clenched her teeth, expecting the pain this time. Cold fire traced up her back and she reached for the wall behind her. Just as her hand met the damp rock, the pain receded and Sal pulled in a long slow breath, staggering. Stretching her arm, it moved like she expected.

  You good, love? Blaec asked.

  Sal nodded. Yeah, and we've wasted enough time already.

  K. Let's go. Deeper into the cave. Sal lingered at the entrance for a moment, while the men moved further in. Sal? Blaec asked.

  Give me a second, she begged.

  In the trees beyond, she'd heard something. She pressed her body against the rock and waited. In moments a shadow moved and her eyes focused on it. A dark man in black leathers huddled against the base of a tree, staring at the creek bed. Instinctively, she wished for skin the color of the rocks around her and felt the tingle. She bent slowly, distorting her silhouette.

  They know we're here, she told the men.

  Zep broke in. Sal, we know they're coming. C'mon. There's too many twists and turns in here. You'll get lost.

  She chuckled to herself. I won't. I can smell you, Zep. I could track you through here even if – She stopped mid-sentence. Across the creek, more men moved into sight.

  Sal? Zep asked.

  I see them.

  One man moved to the edge of the creek. His skin was as dark as Zep's, nearly the color of his uniform. When he leaned forward to look at the hoof prints in the sand, she saw a red mark on his shoulder. She looked harder and thought it looked like a spider. He peered after the trail, then pointed at the tree concealing the entrance. The tree whose branches Sal looked through.

  "Pretty sure they didn't just walk into the damned cliff" he said.

  "Fucking Blades," another man chuckled. "Who knows what they can do."

  "Nothing we can't. There's caves back there, dumb-ass."

  "You sure?"

  "No, but they didn't just walk into the cliff."

  Sal waited long enough to see the men begin to move her way. She counted quickly, making note of their armor and weapons before she moved silently into the shadows.

  There's twenty-three, she thought. They're in leathers, not resin, but most have short swords.

  Good work, LT sent. Now catch up.

  I am, Sal thought, sharing her amusement. And who decided to mark the trail? The distinct scent of urine hung in the air before each turn.

  Mine, Cyno said. We got lost the last time we ended up in here. I do na wanna spend three days working our way out again.

  Pungent, Sal thought as she rounded the last corner, nearly jogging into Razor's back.

  Zep and Shift clung to the men in front of them, unable to see anything in the dim light. LT and Razor dragged their hands against the walls, their night vision being better than that of humans, but not as good as the rest. Arctic led the group,
Risk had taken a place in the center of the line, and Cyno was nowhere to be seen. The horses walked slowly beside their riders, some pausing, unsure of their next step. Slowly, patiently, the men encouraged them forward.

  One more turn, Jase assured them.

  Before they even rounded the corner, Sal noticed the light. The halls began to change from shades of blacks to lighter greys. When she followed the men around the next bend, her eyes watered at the sudden glare, constricting quickly. Sunlight streamed through a small vent in the ceiling of the cavern.

  It's not much, but at least I'm not completely blind, Zep thought thankfully.

  Sal rubbed at her eyes. While the beam of light might not be much to Zep, it was too much for her night adjusted vision to tolerate.

  We hiding, or we fighting? she asked. 'Cause if we're fighting, this will ruin my ability to see anything.

  We're fighting, Blaec told her.

  What's the plan? Shift asked.

  We hold the room, Blaec said. Two men can hold the corridor. We'll take turns. Medics at the back, keeping us repaired. Zep, you'll handle everything else, from water to supplies for the healers. With over twenty of them, they'll be doing the same, but they can't repair their wounds as fast as we can.

  That's stupid, Sal thought.

  Blaec's head whipped around to her. What?!

  We have the advantage, Blaec. We need to use it.

  And I wasn't? Anger suffused his tone.

  No, you weren't. Risk and Arctic, head back the way we came. Keep to the shadows. You can see them, but they can't see you any better than Zep can. Jase and I will move between them, picking them off as we can. Blaec, you and Razor need to hold the corridor just up from here. Shift, Zep, I need you to keep count and take care of any wounded. There's twenty-three of them. We'll need to make sure we get them all.

  Blaec turned to her, the scent of anger emanating from him. You taking over?

  Sal faced him, staring right into his eyes, unblinking. I'm helping you. I lived my life in the shadows, Blaec. I know how this works.

  Countermanding my orders?

  Who the fuck cares? Arctic said, stepping between them. She's right, LT. We can see in this shit, they can't. Fighting at the corridor like humans is stupid, so suck up your pride and approve her changes.