She still looks like she's sleepwalking. I sigh without stopping my tune. It's time to do what has to be done. The Song is ready.
I stop playing and lower the pipe. The woman's eyes clear and she realises for the first time that she's no longer in her living room. Shock and fear spread across her wrinkled face. I hate this moment. She opens her mouth to scream, but the Song is faster. It grabs her and pulls her through the portal before her scream ever reaches my ears.
As soon as she's through the gate, it disappears. For a blissful moment, there's only silence. I breathe in deep. If only it could last. This is the only time that I get relief from the Song that constantly plays in my head. I wish I could make time slow down, make this last forever.
But no. The Song jerks back into existence, erasing the silence. It's already picked out its next victim and urges me to travel to them as fast as possible. I don't listen to the command. I'll ride there, slowly, at my own pace. The Song will have to wait.
Chapter Two
Autumn
The metal roof above me turns the rain into music. A whole orchestra of drums and cymbals plays in the night, making the gloomy shed a little less hostile. I’ve been waiting for hours for the storm to pass, but it’s not getting any better. The night will be over soon and with it, the cover of darkness I need.
When I set off on my journey, I thought it would be safest to travel during the day. I quickly learned otherwise. Now I take advantage of the empty roads at night, riding my rusty bicycle without having to swerve carts and peasants.
Pegasus is resting by my side. The leather on his saddle is torn in so many places that I doubt it'll stay on for much longer. He was old before I stole him, but it's better than walking. I've become adept at tightening bolts, reattaching the chain and patching up punctures. Still, I know that he won't last forever. He's already carried me for hundreds of miles and I'm nowhere near reaching my destination. I may have to replace him soon, but I don't want to think about that. Pegasus is my only friend, and yes, sometimes I imagine him responding to all the stuff I tell him. I'm probably going crazy, talking to a bike, but there are worse things. Starving, for one. My second biggest problem just now.
The shed I took shelter in is empty, not a single tin of food inside. I was luckier yesterday when I found a box of ancient biscuits and a bottle of slightly fermented apple juice in a cupboard in the abandoned house I slept in. I’ve got some dried fruit in my bag, but I’m keeping those for emergencies. One night of hunger doesn’t class as an emergency.
I hum to myself in rhythm to the rain. How I miss my guitar. I would have been tempted to take it with me had it not perished in the fire. Maybe, one day, once I’ve found a new home, I’ll get one again. I think that day is still far away, but who knows. My luck might change. I feel like I deserve a bit of luck for once, but I doubt Lady Destiny sees it that way. She seems to delight in crushing every hope of happiness and safety.
The rain stops at the same time the sun's first rays appear over the hills in the distance. Great. One night wasted. Now I need to decide whether to bunker down here until the evening or risk travelling during the day. I can't afford to linger here much longer. I don't know if they're still hunting me and I don't want to find out the hard way. Better to keep moving.
The sun beckons me outside. I leave the shed and stretch, letting the sunshine warm my damp clothes. Birds sing all around me, celebrating the end of the rain and the beginning of the day. It's a beautiful morning that lets me forget all my troubles for a moment. I smile and close my eyes. Has sunlight always felt this good? I soak it in, staying like that until a bell in the distance disturbs the peaceful sounds of nature.
As pretty as the bell sounds, I can't help but shudder. No matter where I go, how far I travel, the cult has always got there first.
They call themselves the Church of the Hundred, but I see them for what they are. A cult that brainwashes their disciples into following blindly, doing things they would never have done if they hadn't found the Church. Now, close to the anniversary, they're attracting ever more followers.
When I first learned about them, I thought they may be allies. Friends. I realised the opposite was true when they tried to kill me. Now, I stay away from their temples. Their bells are supposed to call for prayer, but for me, they're a warning.
That's the decision made. I'm going to leave even though it's daylight. Maybe I'll be lucky and find a new shelter around lunchtime; that would give me a couple of hours to sleep before darkness falls and I can continue more safely.
As soon as I'm back on Pegasus, I realise how sore my bum is. Yesterday's road was so full of stones and gravel that I'm surprised I don't have whiplash. Hopefully, the ride is going to be less bumpy today. I'm slowly reaching one of the more affluent areas of the countries, which could mean better roads. I don't know for sure though. Before all this started, I'd never been further away from my village than the larger town twenty miles away. All I knew about the world was what I'd read in books and heard from visiting traders. I almost wish I could turn back time and be back in that innocent state. I was happier then, not knowing what horrors hide behind every corner. What moves in the shadows.
The road is muddy and full of puddles. In no time at all, my trousers are drenched all the way up to my waist and their mossy green has given way to a dirty grey. The fabric sticks to my legs as I pump the pedals as hard as I can. I want to get as far as I can before finding somewhere to sleep.
After two hours of pedalling, I still haven't met a single soul. It's unusual, but not unusual enough to worry me. Yet. Maybe there's a local fair going on that keeps everyone busy. I accidentally stumbled upon one two weeks ago and let myself have a bit of fun. The crowds were thick enough for me to disappear within them, just another reveller amongst the many. I'd spent one of my precious coins on a bag of candied nuts; an impulse buy that I later cursed myself for. There had been jugglers and dancers and fire eaters. I smile at the memory. It had been one of the best days of this journey. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed being around other people, even if it was strangers.
I get to a bridge, an arch so steep that I get off Pegasus in order to push him up rather than try and pedal. At the top, I take a moment to stop and look around. With how bad the road has been, I've barely looked up from the muddy ground, afraid I might hit a rock and crash.
Rolling hills spread far into the distance, painted a myriad shades of green. Any painter would be jealous of this colour palette. The road snakes its way around the hills, staying mostly level; perfect for Pegasus and me. Far away on the horizon, a city rises above the hills. I'm not sure what city that may be, but it's a big one. I think I'm too far south for it to be the capital, but I can't be certain.
I'm going to avoid that city. Yes, I could hide in the crowds, but I'd rather not risk being seen by the wrong pair of eyes. Members of the Church are everywhere. Many wear their black robes to show their allegiance, but not all do. They have spies in all parts of the countries and all levels of society. I learned that the hard way.
The river beneath the bridge is roaring furiously, fed by last night's rain. Foam swims on top of the rapids, reminding me of whipped cream. My mouth waters. I'm hungry already, but I need to ration my food. Later, I promise myself, when I've found a place to bunker down.
I scan the landscape again in search of other settlements. There are no houses or even shelters I can see, but a thin curl of smoke rises in the distance. Maybe a farm, maybe more. It's probably another two-hour ride unless the road starts going uphill. Hopefully not. My thigh muscles have become used to the daily strain, but with the little amount of food I'm getting, I don't want to expend too much energy.
With one last look at the gorgeous green hills, I get back on Pegasus and let him roll down the bridge, enjoying the wind stroking my hair. The air is still fat with moisture, giving off that comforting smell of dust after rain. Petrichor. My favourite word.
The further I get, the better the road i
s becoming. Fewer rocks are getting in the way and I can let my thoughts drift without having to pay as much attention. Not that there is much to think about. I don't want to linger on my past; it's too painful to remember all that I've lost. And my future...I'm not sure if I'll even have one. I can only run for so long. This can't be the rest of my life. Always on the run, always looking back. No.
Instead, I focus on the present. The smell of the flowers lining the road. The sound of crickets hiding in the tall grass that sometimes strokes my legs when I get too close. Birds are singing far in the distance and a murder of crows passes over me, suspiciously quiet.
A bad omen, right? I look up, kind of wishing I was up there with them, flying so much faster than Pegasus can carry me -
I fly through the air, twisting, landing, crashing. I hit the ground hard. Pain shoots through my body, but before I can even cry out, darkness claims me.
* * *
Continue reading Song of Souls.
Also By
Find all of Skye’s books on her website, skyemackinnon.com, where you can also order signed paperbacks. Many of her books are also available as audiobooks.
* * *
Claiming Her Bears (Post-apocalyptic bear shifter RH)
Rescued by Bears
Protected by Bears
Craved by Bears
>> Box set
* * *
Infernal Descent (paranormal RH based on Dante’s Inferno, co-written with Bea Paige)
Hell’s Calling
Hell’s Weeping
Hell’s Burning
>> Box set
* * *
Seven Wardens (Paranormal RH co-written with Laura Greenwood)
From the Deeps
Into the Mists
Beneath the Earth
Within the Flames
Above the Waves
Under the Ice
Rule the Dark
* * *
Prequel: Beyond the Loch
Spin-off: Through the Storms
>> Box set (books 1-4)
>> Box set (books 5-7)
* * *
Daughter of Winter Series (Paranormal reverse harem)
Winter Princess
Winter Heiress
Winter Queen
Winter Goddess
>> Box set
* * *
Mother of Gods (prequel)
Demon’s Revenge (spin-off)
Samhain Goddess (spin-off in an anthology)
* * *
The Lost Siren (post-apocalyptic, paranormal RH co-written with Liza Street)
Song of Blood
Lullaby of Death
* * *
Between Rebels (sci-fi RH set in the Planet Athion shared world)
Stolen By Them
Guarded By Them
Chosen By Them
>> Box Set
* * *
The Mars Diaries (Sci-fi RH linked to the Claiming Her Bears series)
Alone
Hidden
Found
>> Box Set
* * *
Through the Gates (dystopian RH co-written with Rebecca Royce)
Purgatory City
Infernal Lands
* * *
Defiance (contemporary dark RH)
Frozen Heart
Loving Heart
Broken Spirit
Stolen Soul
* * *
Academy of Time (time travel academy standalones)
Taking Her Vikings
Exploring Her Professor
Saving His Queen
* * *
Catnip Assassins (urban fantasy reverse harem)
Meow
Scratch
Purrr
Hisss
Lick
Claw
Roar
>> Box set Books 1-4
* * *
Standalones
Song of Souls – fairy tale retelling
Their Hybrid – steampunk RH
Partridge in the P.E.A.R. - sci-fi RH co-written with Arizona Tape
Highland Butterflies – lesbian romance
* * *
Anthologies and Box Sets
Hungry for More – charity cookbook
Kilts and Kisses – a Skye MacKinnon starter library
Shifters Gone Wild - Shifter Romance Box Set
Roar Page 18