Valek had barely settled in his seat when Kiki took off. Without any guidance from him, she flew through the west gate, jumping the barrier. Instead of heading through Castletown, she skirted around the town’s edge, aiming southwest. Onyx kept up with ease.
When they reached the Snake Forest, she slowed as she picked her way through the underbrush and fallen trees without making a sound. Magic horse, indeed. Onyx followed her example. They eventually reached a road. Kiki turned left and broke into a trot.
Valek leaned over her neck and whispered. “If this is the road Yelena’s on, please don’t catch up.”
Her ears flattened, but she switched to a walk. He guessed that meant Yelena was nearby. Valek explained to Kiki what he planned to do and why.
“You know I won’t hesitate if we see she’s in immediate danger.”
Kiki’s ears relaxed. They located the wagon, and Valek was surprised to see that it joined the queue of caravans going to the border exchange site. Kiki found a spot that they could watch without being seen. While they waited, Valek noted that the goods coming into Ixia were inspected, but the boxes and crates going out were not.
When the wagon reached the front of the line, the border guards glanced at their papers, obviously not reading them. The goons then unloaded the crates and carried them over the border to another wagon. They shook hands with the two large men who had been waiting. Daviians. After the goons were paid, they returned to their wagon and headed north.
The Daviians spurred their wagon team south through the Featherstone Clan’s lands. Valek and Kiki followed. The Citadel appeared to be their destination. On the second day, they stopped well off the road to camp for the night. Valek dismounted and snuck closer as the two Daviians set up.
Unfortunately, like the previous night, the two said very little. But they took care of their prisoners, letting them out, taking off the gags and bindings, feeding them, allowing them to relieve themselves in relative privacy. They did this twice a day. Valek hated seeing Yelena and the girls gagged, but he understood why. They were under the influence of goo-goo juice. The drug affected everyone differently, but most felt as if they were very drunk. He mainly used it to interrogate people. The victim couldn’t lie very well, and they couldn’t stop talking. Sometimes it was gibberish, but Valek had gotten some vital information using the drug.
Valek was about to return to Kiki and Onyx when other voices sounded. A group of people strode through the woods and joined the two Daviians. He counted six with a sinking heart. No way Valek could fight eight.
When the group reached the campfire, the light illuminated their faces. Valek stifled a curse and suppressed the urge to stroll up to Cahil and plunge his knife deep into the man’s heart. Standing with the Wannabe King were four of his minions and another Daviian. Magic swept by Valek. There was at least one warper among them.
He tensed for action, but the new arrivals just congratulated themselves on their prizes. They laughed and talked and set up tents. Eventually, they set a watch and went to sleep. Valek debated if he should rescue Yelena and the girls now. They’d been dosed with goo-goo juice. He could prick the guard with sleeping potion, and perhaps the others as well, but it would be hard to get Yelena and the girls far enough away to be safe. Once Cahil woke up and discovered them missing, there’d be a manhunt. As much as he wanted to free Yelena, tonight wouldn’t work.
Instead of heading directly south, the group turned southeast and bypassed the Citadel. Valek had been waiting for a better opportunity to rescue the captives, but the next night had all the same difficulties. Perhaps he could exchange the darts filled with goo-goo juice with water while everyone slept. Once Yelena and the girls were free of the drug, it would be much easier to escape.
Except, on the fourth night, they kept Yelena sitting by the campfire and didn’t prick her with goo-goo juice. This was new. Valek crept as close as he dared.
“Should not do this,” a Daviian was saying. “She should stay under until we reach our destination. Jal is the only one strong enough to counter her power.”
Wannabe King said, “I made a promise to her. I want her to know who has her, and what we plan to do to her.”
That could be a very big mistake. One Valek had been hoping for.
“Take the gag off,” Wannabe King ordered. He stood behind her but stepped into her view.
Yelena took a moment to gather her wits once the gag was removed. She glanced up and saw Cahil’s cocky smirk. He kicked her in the ribs. Valek jumped to his feet with his knife in hand, but he was outnumbered. And if the guards started dropping from the sleeping potion, it would warn the others. He settled back.
“That’s for hitting me with Curare!” Cahil kicked her again. “And that’s just because I can.”
Valek promised he would ensure the Wannabe King paid for each kick.
“Cahil,” she said between gasps. “You’re still…scared. Of me.”
Nice, love.
Cahil laughed. “Yelena, you’re the one who should be scared.” He crouched down and held a dart in front of her face. “Iallowed you this brief moment of lucidity. Listen closely. Remember what I said to you the last time we were together?”
“When you wanted to exchange me for Marrok?” she asked.
“No. When I promised to find a person who could defeat you and Valek. I’ve met with success. In fact, you have already had an encounter with my champion.”
“Ferde?”
The Fire Warper. And she was well aware of him.
“Act the fool, but I know better. My champion makes you sweat with fear. The Fire Warper has been called to this world with one mission. To capture you. And you’re powerless against him.” Pure satisfaction shone on Cahil’s face. “I will deliver you to Jal and the Fire Warper. Jal will perform the Kirakawa ritual’s binding ceremony on you, taking your powers as the Fire Warper claims your soul,” Cahil said.
“And what do you get, Cahil?” Yelena asked.
