Page 62 of Death Will Follow

With some distance between her and the pieces of her father’s sword, Nova relaxed a bit, exhaling sharply through pursed lips.

“I suppose you saw the mounds then,” Riven said, a bit petulantly, indicating with a flap of her fingers for Nova to share the details of her adventure through the Wylds.

Callan glared at the Wyldling and waved her off, but Nova nodded.

She spun an exciting tale of sly sprites and cursed elves, a faint smile on her face as though she fancied herself the heroine of one of the faerie stories he knew she had adored as a youngling. As he listened, his chest swelled with pride at her bravery, her cleverness.

“I’m starved,” Nova sighed when she’d finished the story. “Did you all make camp?” She cast her eyes about, as if searching for evidence of a cook fire.

“Love, you’ve been gone no more than an hour,” Callan replied.

“Oh,” Nova said, her brows knitting together. “It seemed a great deal longer to me.”

“Seems to me,” Riven interjected, annoyed, “we missed out on all the fun.”

A roar rumbled overhead, and the four of them tipped their faces to the sky. A winged beast swooped into view, nearly invisible against the darkness. A handful more followed close behind, dipping low enough for Callan to identify them as repera. One of the beasts flapped its great, bat-like wings, slowing its approach and reaching its clawed feet toward the horses. All four mounts startled, rearing up before bolting into the fog. Three of the creatures pursued the horses, while the remaining three doubled back.

“Repera!” Bryn shouted, turning to Riven, the two of them seemingly entering into a silent agreement.

Breaking into a run, the Wyldlings leapt into the air, their enormous raven and falcon forms quickly climbing into the sky and disappearing from view as they pursued the frightened horses.

Callan scanned the starless sky and pulled his sword from the sheath at his back, guiding Nova behind him with his free hand.

“Stay close,” he instructed, eyes flitting from one spot to the next as he waited for the beasts to strike.

“Callan—” Nova gripped his left forearm and brought her body flush with his.

When another roar sounded from behind them, Callan spun, his sword raised, but the creature was already upon them. He bent his knees and braced himself for the fight. But before the repera could attack, Nova’s arms wrapped around his middle, and he was plunged into darkness.

An instant later, the dark shroud lifted from his vision. Callan whirled around, sword ready, but the beasts were gone.

Nova—they’ve taken her.

Callan frantically searched the area around him. Only seconds before, she’d been clinging to him so tightly. Finally, he spotted her, lying on the ground a short distance away. Relieved, Callan raced to her side and fell to his knees. Her chest heaved, beads of sweat dotting her forehead, her body trembling faintly as if she were suddenly feverish. Callan tugged off his glove and wiped her brow with the end of his sleeve before running his hand down her cheek. Her temperature was normal.

Beneath Nova’s panting breaths, the rush of a stream reached his ears. Callan looked over their surroundings a second time. They no longer stood at the edge of the Wylds. He recognized the soothing murmur of water, the small copse of trees, and the charred ring of stones marking a recent campfire. Somehow, they had returned to the spot where they’d made camp the night before. But they’d ridden nearly an entire day without stopping for rest since then. Callan’s mind whirred, attempting to make sense of what had happened.

Nova propped herself up on her elbows and surveyed the scene, her breathing having slowed some.

“Oh,” she remarked. “We’re at the campsite.”

“Why does it seem you’re only mildly surprised at this?” Callan asked, gripping her by her shoulders and helping her to sit up.

Nova winced and blew out a breath.

“Because I brought us here.” She busied herself, swatting at the streaks of mud on her breeches and avoiding his eye.

“And how did you do that?”

“I portaled us. Through shadow.” Nova sighed, as if sharing the information was a great relief to her.

Callan’s mouth fell open, and he sat in stunned silence for a brief moment, weighing which of his many questions he should ask first.

Finally, he settled on, “How long have you known you could portal?”

“I didn’t know,” Nova clarified. “Bryn told me my father is a shadow walker. I tried once before, but nothing happened.”

Callan pressed his lips together for a beat, schooling his tone before he continued, “It’s incredibly dangerous. Without proper training—”