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My pulse pounded in my ears. Each second that passed, the dogs and the vampires came closer.
“Judge!” I hissed and dug my heels into his sides. “We must go! Now.”
The horse lifted his head and gave an indignant whinny.
My throat tightened as the sound of rushing blood filled my ears. This would not be how I went out. I’d done the impossible by escaping Sangrael. I’d come close to the border. I’d not end this night tied up and taken back to my captor.
“Fine!” I swung off Judge’s back, and this time managed not to fall as my feet touched down.
Once on the ground, I craned my neck to look out at the river and walked a few paces, trying to assess all the angles. The water ran fast but didn’t look too dangerous.
But is it really safe to cross? Burning stars, does it matter? If I don’t make it to the border . . . No, I couldn’t finish that thought.
In the distance, the baying of hounds sounded once more. Closer, this time. So close that my heart began to beat erratically. At any moment, I felt sure that a hound or a vampire would burst through the trees and tear me limb from limb.
I needed to run, but I’d never be fast enough to outrun a vampire. And crossing would only erase my scent in the water . . . Not beyond. What if I was wrong and the border was still a fair distance away? Or what if they ignored the border and ran through it, even though they shouldn’t, because they were so close to catching me?
Judge whinnied, and I turned to the horse as an idea sparked. Unclasping my cloak, I shrugged it off and pulled the stake from the pocket. Then I shifted the cloak under Judge’s saddle to keep my scent on him strong.
“You’re done with me, boy.” Careful to keep to his side, I smacked him as hard as I could on the rump.
He let out another sharp whinny that sent pity through me, but he did as I’d hoped. He bolted straight across the river and into the woods on the other side. When I could no longer see Judge, I gripped my stake tightly and leapt into the cold water.
Chapter 6
In the dark, I rode the river currents, never daring to lift my head too high above the water, or to look too closely at the western bank. All the while, I kept my stake clenched in my hand, ready to be attacked.
Time blurred, and I ended up staying in the river until the sun’s first rays broke through the trees. Only then did I swim to the eastern shore and pull myself from the current, shivering and sopping wet.
I hadn’t heard the hounds for hours, nor anyone else, a fact that, at first, relieved me. But as I walked through the deep snow, I began to worry.
Thanks to my ancestry from the Winter Court, I had a strong tolerance for the cold. However, now that I was fairly sure I was in Winter’s Realm, I understood the stories of the place.
I might not be far from the boundary of the Vampire Court, but the temperature had plummeted drastically since arriving in this snow-covered land. It was colder than anything I’d ever experienced. That, coupled with enough time wandering the forest sopping wet and even I could freeze to death. After all that I’d endured, I felt that time approaching. To survive, I needed to find shelter, fire, and food. And I needed to find it fast.
I shivered and ran my hands along my arms. What I wouldn’t give to have my cloak back. I wished I hadn’t been so hasty and would have attached a sock to Judge instead. Still gripping the stake I’d fashioned tightly, I walked deeper into the stunning white woods. How long would I have to walk to find civilization? Or even a single home?
I didn’t know, but I remained alert, trudging through the ever-deepening snow and fighting off the cold that threatened to take me to the afterworld. Even the sun’s rays gently warming me weren’t enough to stop the shivering that became more violent.
Then, finally, after I felt like I’d walked for hours, I stumbled across a boon.
A road appeared through the trees, and I rushed over to it, climbing a drift and sliding down the other side to stand upon the ribbon that cut through the trees. Pivoting from side to side, I gazed up and down its length. In one direction, a bend hid the rest of the road from sight. On the other, a long stretch of snow-packed road stretched on as far as I could see.
I rubbed my arms more vigorously, trying to generate heat. Which way would be best?
A village might exist in either direction, so I tossed up a prayer to the stars, and turned right. On shuffling feet, I began walking to see what lay around the corner. I’d nearly made it to the bend when the clopping sound of horse hooves met my ears. I gasped, terror spiking. Before I could even think to stop myself, I scurried up the snow drift and stumbled behind the nearest tree just as a brawny fae male with a long brown beard appeared, driving a cart pulled by two horses.
My heart rate slowed, and I realized that, though rationally, I didn’t actually think the vampires would follow, my body hadn’t been certain. All my life they’d been near me, a looming threat, and that wasn’t going to be easy to shake.
The question then became was this fae friendly? Winter’s Realm had a reputation for cold and tough subjects. To be safe, I remained where I was, and sized him up as he guided the wagon filled with chopped wood.
Nothing about the fae insinuated wealth, a factor I correlated to danger. Nor did he look mean, though looks could be deceiving. Perhaps most important of all, his wings had stunted. If he came after me, he wouldn’t be able to fly. We’d both be on foot, and even after hours of walking, I felt confident that I’d be faster than the bulky, muscular fae.
Did I dare announce myself? It was a risk, but wandering the forest for hours longer and freezing to death seemed a far greater one.
The Fates determined my answer for me when the cart stopped close to where I hid, and the fae male turned in my direction. “I can smell ye out there! See your marks in the snow too!”
Bleeding snow! A foul whisper of curses left my lips.
