And he now had a deadline. Tonight.
He followed them as they urged their horses to go faster. Sitting on top of the boxes, Cahil and the Warper added extra weight for the two equines pulling the wagon. The minions ran alongside the wagon like they’d been doing every day.
During the trip, Valek created and dismissed several rescue plans. Eventually, he figured out the best way to save Yelena and the others. Valek told Kiki his strategy. Just in case something happened to him, Kiki would know a safe place to take Yelena and the girls. Now, he only had to wait until full dark before he could make his move.
Cahil and his companions stopped just shy of the Avibian Plains. It was an hour before sunset. Valek wondered why they had come here instead of going to the Citadel. Was this where Jal would join them? Valek dismounted and edged closer.
“We’ll camp here,” Cahil said. “When you’re done setting up, let the girls out. They should be lucid by now and you can get them ready for the Kirakawa tomorrow.”
Having them lucid would aid in Valek’s efforts.
“What about the Soulfinder?” one of the vermin asked.
“Drakke will give her another dose tonight. Too much Curare could stop her heart,” Cahil replied.
Valek waited while they pitched tents and collected firewood. They finished and pulled the girls out. Prepping the girls included stripping their clothing and tying them down by the fire. Valek had to look away as the Warper cut their arms and legs to collect their blood. As much as his heart screamed at him to run in and save the girls, logic overruled. Valek needed to be methodical, and his timing had to be perfect.
When Drakke moved toward the wagon, Valek prepped his blowpipe with a dart loaded with sleeping potion.
The man lifted the lid of Yelena’s box, Valek aimed, puffed, and missed. The man grunted as he was pulled off balance. Drakke froze. Probably a victim of the Curare he was supposed to give Yelena. Then, he was hauled inside the box.
Valek silently cheered as Yelena poked her head out. He tucked his blowpipe into a pocket. He’d join her and let her know the plan. Without warning, a flock of bats appeared over the fire. They swooped down on the minions around the campfire, biting their arms as their cries filled the air. Not good.
Cahil and the warper exited one of the tents, and the warper yelled about magic. Yelena must have used her power to create a distraction. Then she popped out of her box and took off in the wrong direction.
His plan was fucked. Valek ran back to where Kiki and Onyx were waiting and mounted Kiki, leaving Onyx behind.
“Go! Go! We’ll get between Yelena and the others,” he said, pulling his sword.
Kiki broke into a gallop. They raced to the camp. Valek spotted Yelena being pursued by Cahil’s minions. Kiki angled to the left to intercept her.
Yelena dove to the ground, rolling into a ball. Kiki cut sharply, avoiding Yelena and turning her side to the minions. They drew their swords and Valek swung his own, pushing them back as Kiki’s speed gave him an advantage. Kiki pivoted in another quick turn. Yelena jumped to her feet.
“Yelena!” He yanked her bo staff from the saddle and threw it to her.
She caught it in midair. Kiki spun and Valek slid off her back. He engaged the minions in a sword fight. With four against one, he wouldn’t last long. But then Yelena joined with her bo, and Kiki with her hooves. The Wannabe King and the warper hung back, and Valek wondered what they were scheming.
A minion blocked too wide and Valek cut his arm in half. They pressed their advantage as the injured man fell to the ground. Except, Cahil ordered the rest of his minions to disengage. They stepped back. Valek glanced at Yelena.
“The girls are still at the camp,” she said.
He nodded and they stalked the retreating men.
The warper threw his arms up and yelled, “Inflame.”
Magic pressed on Valek’s skin. With a whoosh of hot air, the man on the ground burst into flames. Valek and Yelena jumped back. The poor man screamed and writhed. He stilled as the intense heat consumed him. Acrid puffs of charred flesh reached Valek.
“Come! Find your soul mate!” The warper’s voice cut through the roaring fire.
A man’s form coalesced from the pulsing flames.
“What’s going on?” Valek asked as nausea churned in his stomach.
“Let’s go.” Yelena scrambled onto Kiki’s back.
Valek hopped on right behind her. Kiki took off.
“What about the girls?” he asked.
