Page 218 of On Wings of Blood

There it was. Regan’s scent. Sweat mixed with dirt. The hint of lavender and musk. Apparently Regan had managed a spritz of perfume, even in the jungle.

Quinn’s scent hung in the air, too. The tang of her blood mixed with fear and dirt and sweat.

I sniffed in one direction, then another.

They’d split up. Regan had gone one way and Quinn another. Why hadn’t they stayed together?

How did I even know any of this?

There was more to it than Blake’s blood. My mind flashed to Rodriguez’s cryptic words about my rider’s heritage. Was this what he’d meant? Could I activate some instinctive ancient training?

I had no dragon, but the instincts of a rider were in my bones. Blake’s blood must have been intensifying them somehow, stirring up senses I had no idea I’d even possessed.

I was born to do this, I told myself, trying to channel tranquility. Sure, the effects wouldn’t last. But they were useful for now.

I took another deep breath, letting my senses guide me, honing in on Regan’s scent while ignoring the alluring aroma of Quinn’s fresh blood. I wasn’t a highblood. I didn’t need blood. I needed Regan Pansera.

I could feel her pull now, faint but present.

I turned in the direction she’d gone.

Dodging low-hanging vines and branches, I moved as quickly as I dared. Each step felt purposeful. My body knew where it was going. My blood was guiding me.

All right, so a little of Blake’s was in the mix, too.

Regan’s scent grew stronger, sharper, as I ran through the dense foliage.

I leaped over fallen logs, my steps light, all trace of dizziness and grogginess gone. I’d never felt so attuned to my surroundings. So powerful.

Suddenly, the scent faded.

I slowed my pace, heart pounding with anticipation.

I felt like a predator. A hunter.

Was this how Blake felt all the time? With me?

Regan was close. I could almost taste her. When I found her, I knew I’d have to control myself. Control that part of me that was Blake, the part of him that wanted to kill, wanted to feed. I suddenly wondered how he managed to keep himself in check at Bloodwing. Was this how he felt when he was near me? Was this how all highbloods felt all of the time? It was an uncomfortable idea.

A new thought came to me. I slid Coregon’s dagger down my palm, then began to turn in a slow circle, holding the knife outwards slightly.

It’s your turn to shine,I muttered to Orcades.Time to step up.

Dear girl, I thought you’d never ask,came my mother's voice.But do try not to kill Regan when you do catch her. From what Visha told you, it sounds as if you need her alive.

I’ll do my best to resist,I said grudgingly.But she started it.

Orcades laughed.She’s in the trees. Get ready.

Taking a page from Quinn’s playbook, is she?I grumbled.Where?

Jump to the left,Orcades snapped.Now.

I did as she said, tumbling to the side then springing back to my feet.

Regan hit the ground with a grunt of shock. She’d expected me to be her landing pad but I’d denied her that.

I walked up, sorely tempted to kick her in the ribs.

---