Page 25 of As Darkness Fall
I grinned. Much better. Maybe this whole being in charge thing wasn’t so bad…
Chapter Thirteen
Ithought about all that had happened since I’d entered the Shuldar as we exited the underground city into the daylight.
I’d nearly died. Several times. Once from blood loss, once from Lars trying to sacrifice me in a ritual, another time from the purple energy. It was becoming a habit of mine, it seemed.
On top of that, I’d had my Soulbond severed. I’d met a god. Had my Soulbondreattachedto said god. And I’d learned that my team of hired “explorers” were definitely non-human, though I had no idea what they were.
Despite all of that, all of the power and change that had occurred, we still had to hike our way out of the valley and back to the trucks. On the face of it, it seemed ludicrous. Vir should be able to conjure us a way there or give us flying carpets.Somethingto help us along, but he said his powers didn’t work like that.
I’m pretty sure he was full of it, and this was his way of getting back at me for making him give up his gold.
Gold that Aaron and his team were now loaded down carrying. Every member, including himself, had produced a sack from somewhere that was now stuffed with bars and coins of gold, the straps digging into their shoulders.
As usual, Alexi took the lead. The pale-skinned man with strong Nordic features and matching blond hair led us out into the valley, somehow managing to move in near silence despite the fifty pounds of gold on his back.
The rest of the team was strung out in a line, with Fred bringing up the rear. The silent, extremely competent team member was also loaded with the least amount of gold, despite there having been more leftover. He’d taken what he thought was enough and refused more.
A strange one, he was.
Dave, Pieter, and Jaxton were taking turns pulling the travois behind us that they had rigged up to carry Johnathan. I had almost told Vir to haul the listless shifter, but after forcing him to give up his gold, I had decided against it. I didn’t want to push him too far. He was still a god, after all.
We made slow progress because of it, and after half a day of hiking where we’d gone perhaps ten miles, Vir surprised us by simply snatching Johnathan up and carrying him, travois and all.
Much better time was made after that, and by nightfall, we were across the river and at the camping spot we’d chosen the night of the Wild Moon where everything had been kicked off. I even managed to find my clothing that I’d discarded in the bushes nearby.
Now, with my belly full of regular food, I sat staring at the fire, losing my mind in its flames as the wood crackled and burned, the gentle pulsing warmth of the fire washing over my face, making me sleepy.
“Danielle.”
I ignored the whisper. I didn’t want to talk to Vir or Aaron right now. All I wanted was some peace and quiet and to stare aimlessly. I’d had enough conversation, enough asking me for orders. Enough of everyone. Why couldn’t they figure that out!
“Danielle.”
Rolling my eyes to try and dissipate some of my anger, I turned to face the voice, ready to tear a piece from their hide, when my mind clued into a minor detail. Neither Aaron nor Virevercalled me by my full name. Only one person with us did that.
“Johnathan?” I gasped in shock as I saw him propped up on one side, staring at me with lucidity in his eyes for the first time since he’d awoken.
“Yeah, I’m alive,” he said quietly. “And it seems I’m aware of myself now, too.”
I nodded, not sure what to say.
“You didn’t leave me back there.”
“You knew?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I wasn’t in control, but I could see it all happening. Hear it all. Thank you.”
I looked away, uncomfortable at the gratitude in his voice. “I thought about it.” I didn’t want him to feel indebted to me.
“I’m not surprised,” he admitted. “I probably deserved it.”
“Maybe,” I said. Ireallydid not want to talk about it.
“Where are we going?” he asked quietly. “Where are you taking me?”
“Seguin,” I said quietly.
