Chapter Eight

Salome

My knees ached as I bounced in the saddle, trying to hold my grip on the sweat-lathered Adaba. We’d been riding for hours, which put more distance between me and Gareth—something I didn’t want to think about. But it was hard not to let my imagination run wild with gruesome images of his death.

Please. Just let him be okay.

The horse galloped through trees and brambles. Twigs, thorns, and gnarled overgrowth scraped at our skin, but we kept our frenzied pace. With a quick glance over his shoulder, Adaba veered left. Only when we approached a river did he slow. He hesitated a second, then stepped into the water, which rose to his underbelly. I glanced back at the bank and realized he was trying to hide our tracks.

As we splashed further in, the cool currents soaked the bottom of my skirts and boots. My teeth chattered.

How long will I last out here?

My gaze shifted to the sun, sinking in the sky. Soon darkness would fall, and I damn sure didn’t want to be stuck out in the woods at night.

Adaba slowly made his way upstream, his movements stirring up the sand.

“She’s com-ing…”

I whipped around. My eyes searched the landscape, but no one was there. Just endless vegetation blowing back and forth. My fingers tightened in Adaba’s mane. Wind wailed through the forest like women screaming in pain. Goosebumps puckered my skin.

Something’s here. I feel it.

Bubbles and foam rose from the river floor as if there was an eruption below. Water sprayed my left cheek. A gurgled snort sounded beside us as a great black horse rose from the depths, river-weed tangled in its mane. This was no ordinary horse. It was a Kelpie. It turned to face me, eyes blazing like hot coals. The beast’s lips peeled back to reveal blood covered teeth. Crap. If I could reach the saddlebags, then maybe I could pull out the sword Gareth had gotten for me. I leaned to the side, reaching for the buckles. Moving at this pace and bouncing around, I couldn’t get hold of it.

Come on.

Adaba jerked to the side in an attempt to get to the shore. But it was too late. In one swift movement, the Kelpie latched onto my arm.

“No!” Pain shot through me like a bullet. I fought to stay in the saddle. My horse kicked out his hind legs, catching the Kelpie in the side. Still the creature wouldn’t release me.

Instead it tugged harder, ripping me halfway off my saddle. My knees tightened around Adaba’s sides, my fingers loosened as water slickened what grip I had. The Kelpie’s teeth sunk deeper into my arm. My hands slipped; my hold lost. Horror washed over me when I plunged into the dark, icy depths of the river. The coldness stung my skin. The creature dragged me deeper, and I kicked my legs, thrashing to free myself from it. Above me, all I saw were the distorted images of the sky as it faded from sight. Weeds tangled around my feet, as if trying to help the monster drown me.

My lungs burned while nightmarish images of my last near-drowning played through my head.

It isn’t supposed to end like this.

My chest felt as if it might explode. Black dots danced in my vision. Down I went like an anchor speeding to the seafloor.

I couldn’t let it win. From deep inside, I willed it to let me go. A burst of light blinded me. And then, in my hand was the Blade of the Four Kingdoms. Underwater, it was hard to maneuver, but I managed to get it in front of me, slicing at the creatures body. A cloud of blood darkened the water and the Kelpie’s teeth slipped from my skin, its grasp lost. A strong tug on my dress dragged me back to the surface.

When I emerged from the river, I coughed, sputtering water, still holding the blade. Holy shit. What’d just happened? How had the sword come to me? Adaba’s teeth clung to my clothes as he pulled me onto the bank. I eyed the sword warily and dropped it to the ground, then rolled onto my stomach and sucked in deep mouthfuls of air.

With the sleeve of my dress, I wiped my mouth. Tears trickled down my cheeks. Where had the light come from? My gaze slid to the blade once more. Had Adaba found a way to get it to me? Was it really magic? Or was it all me? I didn’t want to believe the latter, but the coincidences were adding up quickly.

“Thank you,” I said to Adaba.

He nudged me with his snout, urging me to stand.

With a sigh, I bent down and picked up the sword. The symbols etched into it glowed bright blue—then faded before my eyes. “I better put this thing away before I cut my hand off….” More like before I scared the crap out of myself looking at it. Maybe it was haunted. My legs shook, but I managed to stand, put away the weapon, and climb back on my mount. “I’m really starting to hate water,” I muttered.

Once more, we were on our way. Adaba stuck to the shoreline as daylight fought to hang on. The trees became sparse, opening up to rolling green hills and rocky terrain. My pulse raced when I saw a figure standing amongst the rocks.

“Adaba,” I whispered. My fingers trembled and I jerked on the reins.

But he continued to trot toward it. Shadows stretched across the ground like elongated hands.

“Sheeeee’s here…”

If the horse didn’t stop now, I was jumping off. I’d had enough drama for the day. As we neared the dark figure, I cringed, waiting for the onslaught. But it never came. Instead, I found myself face to face with a statue. A mother-flipping statue. A nervous laugh escaped my lips as I stared at the weathered stone face.

My gaze scanned the outcroppings. Large ruined buildings stood amongst them, covered in ivy as if the land was taking them back. Once brilliant gates lay in crumbled piles of stone, no longer protecting grand palaces. Adaba halted, and I slid from his back.

This must be the Ruined Court.

“What happened to all the people?” I asked.

Adaba shook his head then continued up the slope of the hill.

Strong gusts whipped through the tall grass, and the hills seemed to ripple like waves. I stepped over a stone head with mossy clumps clinging to its cheeks and its empty eyes fixed on the sky—forever frozen. With a shiver, I turned away and stared instead at the strange rock circles that dotted the hillside.

As I neared them, I noticed the ancient etchings. Some had leaves carved into them, while others had snowflakes, flowers, or suns. They reminded me of the piece of stone I’d found in the hidden room of my grandparents’ house. Had it come from here? And if so, how the heck had they gotten it? The more I remembered from Grandma’s stories, the more I believed that she’d been here.

Thunder rumbled from above. I tilted my head, and a giant raindrop splattered on the side of my face. We quickened our pace, hurrying up the slick terrain. Lightning zig-zagged overhead. I squealed. God, if we didn’t find shelter soon I’d likely get fried.

Fog slipped between the statues like wispy ghosts. The downpour pelted against my skin. The hem of my skirt caught on a bush, and I jerked it free.

Maybe I ought to just tear the damn thing off.

Mud covered the whole dress, not to mention the wet material was heavier than hell.

At last, Adaba stopped at a rocky overhang which had just enough room for both of us to take shelter under. I unstrapped my bags from his back then unhooked his saddle as well. With a sigh, I unlatched one of the hooks, opened my tote, and rummaged through it for some dry clothes.

Once I found a dress, stockings, and a cloak, I stripped out of my wet garments. The horse turned his back.

“You’re kind of a prude, you know.”

He whinnied but continued to watch the dark landscape. When I finally had my clothes on, I fumbled to unwrap a chunk of dried meat. I inhaled the food, then took a water skin from my pack and got a drink. With my belly full, I grabbed the dagger Gareth had given me and set it on the ground near my blanket, deciding against taking the sword back out.

Gareth.

His name brought tears to my eyes. Was he okay? Would I know if he died? Exhausted, I slumped to the ground, rubbing my arms in an effort to get warm. Damn Nevin for forcing us to go to Summer.

Right now, Gareth and I should be curled up in front of the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa. Instead, I was stuck out in the middle of some freaky ruined village and God only knew what happened to Gareth. I didn’t want to think about it—about him not being here with me. He was my true love, and he was supposed to be here. After everything we’d been through, I didn’t want to lose him now. I couldn’t lose him.

Adaba lowered himself to the ground beside me, his eyes still focused on our surroundings. I swallowed hard. It was so dark. Shadows swathed everything in sight. The sound of thunder and raindrops drowned out any other noises.

What I wouldn’t give for a flashlight. Hell, I’d settle for a lighter—anything to chase away the gloom. The horse nudged my arm, trying to make me lay down.

For a moment, I resisted. But if I was going to be in any shape to travel tomorrow, I’d need rest. I curled up and tugged my cloak tight about my shoulders. Frigid air crept beneath my makeshift blanket. I squeezed my eyes shut. Mind over matter. Don’t think about the cold. Just think of warm beaches. And roaring fires. And hell. Okay, probably not the last one, but I had to do something to warm up.

We’d only been lying down for a short time when something tugged my hair.

“Crap.” I sat up and reached for my dagger.

There, flying past my head and glowing like a firefly, was a tiny blue fairy. Tiny and, hopefully, harmless.

It hovered closer to my face. It looked like one of Nevin’s people.

“Be still,” it whispered.

For a moment I wondered if maybe this was the voice I’d heard before, but it didn’t sound at all similar. This one was too high pitched…which meant that mystery was still waiting to be solved.

Adaba climbed to his feet. The ground beneath us shook, followed by the thud-thud-thud of heavy footsteps.

Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit.

I clamped my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. What the frick was out there? Rocks fell from above us, cascading down the side of the hill. My heart catapulted in my throat. Not that I wanted to be all negative and stuff, but we had nowhere to run. Whatever stalked the night was waiting for us to make a dumb move.

Adaba pawed the ground, then blew warm breath against my cheek. Like a canon, he burst from our hiding spot, bolting across the rugged terrain.

No.

He left me alone. He—woosh—

The scent of sulfur invaded my nose and burned the back of my throat. The sky blazed with fire, and I watched in terror as a great wingspan filled the night. Adaba raced away from me, leading the dragon toward the bottom of the hill. If something happened to him, I’d be alone out here. But just thinking about Adaba made me worry more. How would he defend himself? He was a horse…facing off against a dragon. I froze in place.

The fairy gripped hold of my hair, then tugged me to move. “You need to run.”

I’d learned the hard way that following someone who seemed friendly was a quick way to getting myself in even bigger trouble, but what else was I going to do with a dragon on my heels?

“Where am I going?” I grabbed the dagger, then stumbled forward into the blackness. My foot connected with a large stone—or at least what I hoped was a stone. “Damn it!”

The night swallowed us up. My ears perked up while I strained to hear above the storm. My hair snapped around my head, the wind’s rage punishing. A low growl sounded from behind, and my pulse quickened as I glanced over my shoulder to see a pair of glowing red eyes.

“Move faster. It’s coming.” The fairy yanked harder on my hair, practically ripping it from my head. If she didn’t ease up, I’d need a wig.

“What’s coming?”

Teeth gnashed at my heels, followed by loud snarls. My thighs burned as I continued to run uphill. I sucked in deep breaths in an attempt not to hyperventilate.

“Hurry, we’re almost there.”

Almost where? I wanted to ask, but the creature hunting me latched onto my cloak and jerked me backward. I tumbled to the ground with a shriek, fighting to get to my feet.

My fingers closed around the handle of my dagger. In my head, I tried to recall what Gareth had taught me. Frantic, I slashed out with the knife. The beast yelped and I ripped myself free, pretending I didn’t see the doglike-snout filled with enormous teeth or the claws that scraped at the earth below it. I leapt to my feet and took off running.

Crap. I didn’t sign up for this.

At last, we reached the ruins, and the fairy glowed once more, giving me a bobbing light to follow.

“Go downstairs and hide. Don’t come out for any reason.”

My mouth went dry as I stared at the crumbling stairs, which led into a dark abyss. No way in hell did I want to go in there. If I did, I’d be trapped.

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” I said.

Once more, I heard the snarls of the creature as it charged up the hill. I’d probably ticked it off when I’d cut it.

“Go now.”

How did I know this fairy wasn’t psychotic? I mean, who’s to say it wasn’t really a flesh-eating zombie leading me to my death?

You don’t. But you don’t have a choice.

Either I took my chance in the lower levels of the ruins, or I became dog food.

My legs trembled, but I forced myself down the dilapidated stone stairs. At the bottom was a thick wooden door, which was closed. With no time to reconsider, I pushed on it. It didn’t budge. Frantic, I rammed my shoulder against it. After a few attempts, it finally groaned open enough for me to slip inside.

“Close the door and stay in there until someone comes to get you,” the fairy said. “We need you safe.”

I slammed the door shut, then leaned my head against my arms. Pitch blackness surrounded me. A thick, musty scent clung to the damp air. Chains rattled at the back of the room. I went still.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Something shuffled behind me.

Whispers began in a low buzz, echoing off the walls. I clutched my dagger tight to my chest and slid to the floor. My stomach knotted. My heart raced.

Any minute now, I’m gonna pee my pants.

A sudden burst of light illuminated the room, and I squealed.

“Don’t worry, we’ll protect you…” a voice hissed like air leaking from a tire. A ghostly figure floated toward me. Its translucent skin glowed; its eyes were hollow and black. Phantom arrows protruded from its—or rather his—heart. He raised a finger and pointed. “Get away from the door.”

I climbed to my feet but stood where I was. The fairy had screwed me over. She’d led me to be murdered by flipping ghosts.

“NOW!”

I staggered forward right as something rammed into the door. The wood splintered while growls erupted on the other side of the barrier. My eyes darted about the room. There was nowhere to go. Well, other than a creepy ass hallway at the back of the room.

Pop. Other ghosts appeared and shoved tables, barrels, stones—anything they could find—in front of the door. A cold touch on my arm made me scream as the same ghoulish man-ghost ushered me toward the serpentine hall I’d seen just a few minutes ago.

No way. I don’t want to go in there.

Yet, I didn’t have a choice. If I stayed out here, who knew what the dog from hell might do to me? Okay, so I either got mauled to death or accosted by a phantom.

Ghost it is.

My body quivered as I finally followed after the being. Bluish orbs lit the narrow passageway. Cobwebs brushed against my face. I prayed they didn’t have spiders attached to them. Shadows clung to the rock walls, seeping out to trail us. Deeper we went, until at last, we came to a metal door. Carved into its base were the same suns, snowflakes, flowers, and leaves I’d seen on the stones outside.

The door creaked open, and I stepped into a room filled only with a large stone table and several chairs carved right into the rock walls.

Please don’t let that be a sacrificial altar.

I stood silent for a moment in an effort to catch my breath. When I turned, I saw an army of ghosts step through the walls and ceiling. “Who are you? An-and what do you want?”

“We are the ruined…” the ghostly man said. “We’ve come for you…”

My knees buckled, and I reached for the wall to steady myself. The transparent people closed in on me.

Gareth! I screamed in my mind. Help me. Please. But Gareth wasn’t here. I was all alone. And soon, I’d be dead.