Someone had just tried to kill us. There was no doubt in my mind about that. It smacked of desperation and fear, because no way did anyone contemplate killing two officers of the law and a Hunter without expecting repercussions. We’d managed to rattle someone and they were reacting in violent and unpredictable ways.
“This isn’t the way to the station or either of our houses,” Richard said in a low voice.
“Nope. They’d expect us to head to one of those places so we’re going somewhere else that’s a helluva lot closer.”
“And we can make a call from there?” he pressed. “Because I don’t think even with a Hunter that we can handle this by ourselves.”
My hands tightened on my reins. “I hope so. There’s that little station down by Miller’s Creek, the one where the cars used to go to be repaired. I figure we can hide our mounts inside the shed there and if we can get inside the office, the radio might at least still work.”
“That’s the one where some of the tracks got washed away in a flood back when we were kids?”
“Yep,” I replied.
“If it is still connected to the communications grid, I can get through to my brother,” came Pilar’s dulcet tones, only slightly muffled from the blanket covering him. I bet he sure as shit was looking forward to getting out from under that damned thing. It had to be unnerving to ride blind like that especially with, on top of it all, someone shooting at us while he couldn’t come out to defend himself or try to get away on his own. I wasn’t sure if I was in a place that I’d be as cool and level headed as he was being. I’d like to think that maybe I’d not outright panic at least.
“They are going to fucking freak,” Richard said. “Their Prince could have been killed and that was after someone imprisoned him. There’s going to be big trouble, I just know it.”
“I’m only in line to take that position,” Pilar reminded him. “And Hunters face danger everyday. Cornered prey are known to get volatile and this is no exception.”
“Still, you came as a courtesy and we’ve landed you in hot water right alongside us.”
“Oh, I’m not saying they’ll be happy,” Pilar agreed. “Too many things are wrong here and could affect the entirety of the project.”
“Project?” Richard mouthed at me.
I lifted a hand in a gesture that encompassed the surrounding forest. I was pretty sure Pilar had meant the piloris farming and such could damage protected parts of the ecosystem, though I guessed he also could have been referring to the caretaker settlement scheme his people had going on and which the arrival of my people had thrown a spanner in the works of once already.
I swallowed. Us humans were here on the sufferance of the Ilyirzi, who were quite capable of rounding us all up and sending us on our merry way gods know where. Did the perpetrator know this, or were they aware of the truth of our colonization and unhinged enough to not give a damn? Or was there more at stake than we’d discovered?
“He’s okay,” Richard ventured, which left me confused for a moment.
Good gravy, my infatuation with Pilar is so obvious that Richard not only picked up on it, but thinks that’s what I’m worried about at the moment.
Guilt swamped me. I should have been more concerned. The stoic Ilyirzi would be unlikely to let us know if he’d been grazed or otherwise injured until much later, if at all. What did that say about me? That I hadn’t checked up on him the moment I’d had the chance, all while professing my growing attachment and desire for him to myself?
“I am indeed well, no thanks to those fools back there,” Pilar contributed. “Though I hope this station is only moments away. I really cannot recommend this riding under a blanket thing as a good time.”
Richard laughed at this and I had to admit, Pilar was actually a funny guy once you got to know him. His words cajoled a wan smile out of me despite myself.
“And here I was going to suggest we go into business offering blanket-covered excursions to the public as a new way to enjoy the outdoors,” I feebly joked back.
Pilar gave a wry laugh in response. “Well, I think it would be a business doomed to fail. It is even less fun than the darkened coach ride I had to get to your territory.”
“That took a day, yeah?” Richard asked me. “Hey, look, that’s it up ahead, isn’t it?”
It was, thank fuck. I urged our beasts forward, grateful that the end of our current journey was in sight at last.
“That’s far enough,” a voice rang out.
We pulled to a halt in shock. The command had come through the station’s old speakers hanging on the eaves and dotted around listing poles around the old yard. It also had a very familiar accent.
“Miljack!”
There was no disguising the sound of unadulterated joy in Pilar’s voice. “Keep us still, that’s Miljack! We don’t want to get skewered with his bow.”
And who the hell was Miljack? Jealousy burned like free through my veins. An old lover? And why was he here of all places, and armed with a fucking bow?
Pilar began to twist about in his saddle. “Kelly, come here. Reach underneath and take my sword. He’ll recognize it.”
I backed up Winnie, exchanging a bemused look with Richard. Hopefully this Miljack would understand that Pilar wasn’t tied up under there and I was taking it under duress. I had no desire to end up skewered today, thank you very much.
Setting abreast to Pilar, I leaned down to reach beneath the blanket, trying to not expose the skin above his boot.
“Careful, don’t slice yourself,” Pilar cautioned. “Feel your way up my body to find my arm.”
Feel up his…he was trying to kill me himself now. Still, it was a sensible way to find his hand holding the hilt so I did. As soon as our hands met, he relinquished the sword.
“Sorry if you’ve gotten sunburned,” I muttered thickly.
“Not long enough to do any real damage,” he reassured me as I withdrew. Transferring the sword to my other hand, I balanced on Winnie’s back as I used the hand closest to him to readjust the blankets.
“You guys are sickeningly sweet,” Richard said. “Can we just get the guy to not shoot at us and let us on in, pretty please?”
Taking the reins back in hand once more, I rode forward a few paces, holding Pilar’s sword aloft for careful inspection. “Please, we’re here with the Hunter, who needs shelter!” I called out, hoping his enhanced hearing could pick up what I was saying.
A heartbeat later: “You may advance. Come to the edge of the platform.”
That sounded promising. Perhaps the tide had turned in our favor after all, at last.