Page 50 of The Falconer

Chapter 18

The pain from my injuries dissipates instantly. All it takes is the promise of battle and a warm glow spreads through my body. Back to the hunt, back to the chase.

‘How many?’ I ask.

‘Two dozen,’ Derrick says. ‘Maybe three.’

I shut my eyes briefly. The weapons I brought with me won’t be enough to kill that many. ‘Find Kiaran and tell him I need help. Try not to insult him while you’re asking.’

Derrick doesn’t argue, for once. ‘What about you?’

I stride to the window, an easy escape route now the painted glass is shattered. Thank heavens Gavin’s study is at ground level. ‘I have weapons nearby, and more in my ornithopter.’ And that’s where I keep my spareseilgflùr. Kiaran might take it away during my training sometimes, but I’ve never lost it in a fight before.

Derrick flutters to my shoulder. ‘They’re on Princes Street and moving in this direction. Can you make it to Charlotte Square?’

‘I certainly hope so, since I don’t have anyseilgflùron me,’ I murmur as I hoist myself onto the window ledge and prepare to jump into the garden.

‘You don’t have any—’

‘Don’t worry about me.’ I let my cheek rest against his wings for a moment. ‘Go.’

‘Be careful, won’t you?’ Derrick’s light glows brighter as he takes off.

I rip my already-torn petticoats and dress, until they stop just above my knees where the bottom of my pantalettes show, so the fabric won’t hinder my movements. I toss the extra material to the floor and straddle the windowsill. My slipper brushes against some of the tall bushes below.

Rain falls steadily outside and dampens my leg. I shiver at the cold night air and the breeze on my bare arms. I’m about to drop down into the space between the bushes and the wall when a hand closes around my wrist.

It’s Gavin, and he looks furious. ‘You intend to go out there?’ he asks. ‘And you can’t even see them, can you?’

I try to pull myself from his grip, but he only tightens his hold. ‘I never said I could.’

‘You implied it.’

‘I’m un-implying it now.’ I grin. ‘I have other means.’

Gavin studies me intently. ‘Did you choose this?’

Leaning in close, I press my cheek against his, a touch that goes against every social rule I’ve ever been taught. It’s the excitement of the hunt that courses through me, a savage hum. I’m beyond propriety, beyond etiquette.

‘I revel in it.’

I jump to the soft soil below. My slippers sink in and rainwater pools around my feet. The garden is misty, even darker than before now that the storm clouds have gathered thicker. Rain slicks my bare shoulders and the breeze only makes it more frigid. My heart slams in my chest and I want to run again, to give chase.

I’m about to sprint across the grass when I hear a thump behind me. Gavin. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’

He straightens, tall and elegant. ‘I’m coming with you.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ I pivot on my heel and stalk in the direction of my hidden weapons.

He catches up to me and says, ‘It’s not ridiculous at all. You said yourself that you can’t see them.’

‘So?’

‘Let me see for you.’ His features are shadowed, his breathing ragged.

‘No,’ I say sharply. ‘I won’t involve you. I’m sorry I already did.’

‘This is my choice, Aileana.’

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