They were powered with their twisted version of Arcana. Even if Luc were not sick, he was facing eight men with the strength, speed, and senses equal to eight Cryptics.
Rolan felt sick.
“Don’t let him see,” Luc said to Rabb. “That’s all I ask. Don’t let the boy watch.”
“Get him out of here,” his pa said grimly.
“NO!” Rolan screamed, bursting into motion. Luc’s great sword lay by the fireplace. Rolan ran for it, but he was intercepted by Hoff.
The former captain wrapped an overpowered arm around Rolan’s middle and hauled him bodily out the back door. He tossed him onto the grass, Rolan landing hard and rolling. He looked up to see the man’s hood was thrown back.
Thosewerescales on his face.
“Run home, whelp,” Hoff growled, his eyes burning with unearthly blue light. “Stay clear of this business, you hear?”
He slammed the door shut and locked it.
- CHAPTER 36 -DESPERATION
Rolan ran to the barn and flung open the doors, then fell backward as Apple reared in his face, whinnying.
“Whoa! Easy, boy!” Rolan grabbed the horse’s halter and soothed him, then jumped aside as Supper went trotting out. So that’s where he’d been.
There was no time for saddle or reins. Rolan clambered onto Apple’s bare back and clicked his tongue. The gelding cantered out of the barn, his great hooves thundering over the ground.
“This way!” Rolan shouted, tugging the horse’s mane.
Apple broke into a full-blown gallop, nearly sending Rolan toppling over his haunches. But Rolan hung on to his mane, gripping the horse’s smooth sides with his legs.
The path to Crisanth flowed beneath them, the miles flashing by. Rain began to fall, the hard-packed dirt turning to mud. Flecks of it flung up by Apple’s hooves spattered over Rolan’s face. He clenched his teeth and leaned lower, urging Apple to even greater speed. As if he could sense the boy’s need, the horse stretched his strides to full length. The wind slashed Rolan’s cheeks like needles.
They flew through the city gates before the guards could even attempt to shut them, then clattered over the slick cobblestones in Verity Square. The rain had the small benefit of clearing the way, with most people seeking shelter in the downpour. Rolan wiped his wet hair from his eyes and leaned back, slowing Apple from his mad gallop for fear the horse would break his leg on the narrow city streets. He navigated the horse through the maze of the city, intent on his destination.
“There, boy,” Rolan murmured when they reached it, tugging the horse’s mane. He was sliding down even before Apple’s hooves had stopped trotting.
Running up to the door, he began banging as hard as he could. “Open up! Open upnow!”
The door swung open, and Hedge, one of his father’s friends, blinked at him. Rolan knew Hedge well. He specialized in kidnapping children and holding them for ransom, which was why, Rolan guessed, he’d been left behind on guard duty.
“Rolan?” Hedge gawped at him.
“Hi, Hedge. Meet Apple.”
Rolan stepped aside as Apple spun and lashed out with a hoof, sending Hedge flying backward to collide with the opposite wall. He slid to the ground, unconscious.
Rolan rushed in after him, sliding to his knees in front of Anaya.
“Rolan!” she gasped as he lowered her gag. “They’re after Luc! They—”
“I know!” he said. “Stop squirming so I can untie you! We don’t have much time.”
He’d known all along where they were holding Anaya, of course. Cabbot’s trick with the sack and the winding route hadn’t fooled Rolan. He knew very well what the empty warehouses by the river looked like, and he’d even guessed which one they’d dragged him to just by the odor. This one reeked of the river clams that used to be stored here, until a flood ruined the place.
As soon as her ropes were free, Anaya jumped up. “What’s happening?”
“We need to get Evaine.Fast.Come with me!”
Racing back outside into the sheeting rain, Rolan climbed back onto Apple and held out his hand. Anaya hesitated.
