Sage hopped off her horse and patted his neck before leading it to a pond. The others stared at her in pity, and she rolled her eyes, turning her attention to the far bank where the water glittered.
“Sage,” Raven called, coming up next to her.
Sage felt the intensity of the group’s presence, their gazes burning into her skin. They pressed in from all sides until she was surrounded.
“I’m very proud of you,” Raven said.
Sage shrugged. “I couldn’t let them kill you.”
“We could have fought,” Marcus offered.
Sage shook her head. “There were too many, and you know it.”
“I was still ready to fight,” he insisted.
Sage smiled at him, her heart swelling with admiration for him, yet she was terrified at the thought of him being seriously wounded. “I could never allow you to be hurt.”
Marcus engulfed her, smothering her in a hug that seemed to go on forever. The warmth of his embrace was like a reassuring balm after a long stretch of stress.
“I can’t believe you gave up the parchment,” Willow admitted.
Sage looked at her over her shoulder without releasing Marcus. “I can’t believe you kicked Raven.”
Willow’s eyes widened, and her mouth gaped. She spun to face Raven. “I’m so sorry.”
Raven grinned and rubbed her jaw. “Picking a fight. I must admit it was a worthy distraction.”
“I just really wanted to kick you,” Willow said teasingly.
“What do we do now?” Landyn asked the group. “We have nothing to follow, no directions.”
The air seemed heavy, a thick veil smothering all sound.
Marcus ran his fingers through Sage’s short hair, a gesture of comfort and love.
No one had an answer. They had been following the directions Sage deciphered. Briefly, Sage relished the feeling of being free, of not having everyone look to her for the answer. She enjoyed the moment of abandon in Marcus’s strong arms. But as much as she wanted to stay in that moment, she couldn’t let it last for too long. Reluctantly, she took a deep breath and declared, “We go east to the dead landscape.”
Everyone looked at her, surprised.
Marcus’s expression changed from confusion to disbelief as he slowly leaned back and peered deep into her eyes.
Her lip turned up in a grin. “I’ve studied the parchments for a long time,” she admitted. “Every chance I got.” She tilted her head and regarded the group, meeting each pair of eyes in turn. “I read them over and over.” She couldn’t believe it wasn’t apparent to them. “I memorized the directions.”
Chapter Eighteen
Raven was so proud of her sister. Sage had outwitted them all, surprising even Raven. But the Sterlings had the directions now as well. It would be a race to see who would reach the end first.
She rode her horse at the back of the group, followed closely by Landyn, and her gaze shifted to her other sister. Willow had conquered her fear of the water to cross the Channel and stay with them. Raven grinned. Both of her sisters had proven their merit.
Her smile faded as doubt crept in. She was afraid she needed them more than they needed her. What had she contributed to this venture? Could she even be their leader? Unnerved by the realization, she sought out Landyn.
Their eyes locked, and a frown slowly descended on his brow. He urged his horse forward until he was at her side. “Are you well?”
She tried to grin but faltered and looked away.
Landyn reached across the space between them, their fingers meeting before entwining.
“Sage saved us,” Raven whispered, lowering her chin.
