Page 45 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

Thirteen

TATE

“We have to stop soon,”Jared states the obvious, shouting to be heard over the lashing wind. The sun is setting behind the mountains to the west, and the slope we walk down is already cast in shadows, which makes the freezing wind even worse. Emphasizing Jared’s observation of us needing to make camp.

The winding path we are on skirts the edge of a mighty drop, which forces us to go single file.

“I would feel much better knowing all of them were behind the academy walls for the night,” I yell back.

“Falling to their deaths will kill them as surely as another attack would,” Jared teases, glancing at the forested valley far below us. “And Zephyr starts complaining about the wind. It costs them too much strength to keep circling.”

“Why didn’t you tell me the wind is getting too much?”I ask Daeva.

“It’s not. Zephyr is just complaining,”she answers, insulted. Admitting weakness is not her strength.

“Because I’m not weak,”she huffs.

“Fine,” I tell Jared. “We should reach a suitable place within the next half hour.” I shake my head when Jared raises his arms and lets his head fall back, thanking the gods for my decision.

About half an hour later, we reach the place in question. Trees surround a medium-sized clearing, holding off the wind that has lashed at us constantly for the past hour or two. I don’t like that the trees can be used to sneak up on us, but the light is already low.

As soon as I declare we stop for the night, most of the runners simply plop down where they stand. I did push them hard today.

“They are not the only ones. If I can’t go off to hunt something soon, you can decide which runner you’ll miss the least,”Daeva gripes.

I chuckle even though I’m not sure she’s joking.

“It’s fine. Go off, feed yourself, and take the other birds with you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cassius glowering down at someone. Even if I can’t see the person on the ground, I know who it is.

“Have a good hunt. I have to take care of something,”I say, already heading in their direction, not in the mood for whatever is going on now.

“If you kill someone, tell me so I can abandon the hunt,”Daeva teases.At least I think she’s kidding.

“Will do.”

“Don’t have too much fun without me.”With those parting words, she veers away from me.

“So that is how you want to play it now?” Summer asks, and she sounds pissed.

“Is there a problem here?” I ask, taking in the picture in front of me. Summer is sprawled out on the ground like she fell over where she stood. It doesn’t look comfortable. She’s lying on her pack, which is still strapped to her back. Her head is lifted now but has been tilted back before, exposing her throat, with Cassius standing over her.

Anger explodes through me, but I stifle it.

Is this what all this tension is about?

If all of this is simply a lover’s spat, I will rip Cassius’s fucking head off.

Summer is beautiful, I’ll give him that, but damn, he should know better. Now that I know, I notice the telltale signs of her feminine form, like her slender waist, even if her loose shirt conceals most of it.

How have I missed it before?

Ilario leans against her. It’s as if they are very comfortable in each other’s presence, accentuated by the arm she has thrown over his chest.

Summer looks at me and drops her arm, freeing Ilario.

Otero, give me strength and patience.

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