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The figure slowed for just a second as he came upon the same spot we had been at earlier that evening. Instead of turning to stay in Dukesburg, he ran out of the city, moving directly toward the woods. Noah was gaining on him and I dug deep within myself to press on harder.
The clanging swords ahead were easier to hear than see. Noah had caught up to him, but his frustrated grunts told me it wasn’t going well.
Soon, I was racing alongside Noah as he began running again and the attacker dove into the woods.
We pursued, relentlessly trying to keep an eye on him. As soon as the woods thickened, it was nearly impossible. I closed my eyes, pausing while trying to hear the sounds of his retreat since I’d lost sight of him.
“Damn it,” Noah shouted.
“Need a light?” Ryzel’s gruff and booming voice came rolling in from behind us and we turned to see him, Vara, and Weston with large oil lamps. Well, bigger than oil lamps, something larger they were using as a sort of spotlight.
They had brought reinforcements too. Horseback riders—Charlie was one of them—along with many of the police from Dukesburg.
“Took you long enough,” Noah huffed.
“If you have words with me any longer, Your Majesty, he will escape.”
One of the lights that was moving and searching spotted rustling fifty yards ahead of where we were.
I sprinted away from the others in case Noah needed more time. But I didn’t. I wanted to catch this person, figure out what was going on, and get home. Get Noah home safely. Because the longer he was out here with mysterious Seelie armies, the more dangerous it was for him.
I knew the horses would take over if he got too far away, but for now they remained back, monitoring the run. I’d imagine it’d be hard to maneuver them through the denser parts of the woods, especially since I was getting to the point where I couldn’t just run. I ducked and bobbed through trees and roots, bushes, and branches.
I ran, my lungs desperate for respite, but I soldiered on. The spotlights staying behind me but keeping up enough that I could see where the movements were leading in front of me. Finally, I caught sight of the black cape.
“Here!” I cried, knowing we were on the right track. There was no way he could keep up this pace and outrun us all. Especially with no light through the dark woods.
“Cora, stay close,” Noah said, once more catching up to me. We ran together, a team. United in our hunt, and with the air cleared, I knew we’d get our mark.
Luck would be on our side, I knew it.
“Just a little more light,” I shouted, heaving as I was running out of breath. We’d be to the clearing soon, and then we’d have a clear shot at the attacker.
The lights picked up, and I heard the team moving into the denser part of the forest. They were just behind me, soon we’d nail the intruder and be one step closer to eliminating the threat to Noah and to the Unseelie.
I broke through the trees, unable to hide my grin as the lights moved closer.
But the hooded figure had disappeared and the light that illuminated the clearing failed to pick him out.
Instead, the beams illuminated something far worse.
A sea of armed and waiting soldiers with a sinister fire in their eyes.
Our lights revealed the Seelie army.
