Whatever skills those after us possessed, tracking obviously wasn’t one of them. We all found a spot on the floor to nap, accepting the Ilyirzi’s word that he had tech to watch the perimeter. Our rest was unmolested this time, though I felt stiff as hell when I woke up from hearing Pilar softly call my name.
“It’s time to go,” he said, looking much more refreshed than anyone had a right to be given the circumstances. Still, part of me was glad that he was, a sense of pride filling me that I’d gotten my mate to relative safety where he could recuperate. I sucked in a harsh breath then, even as I took in his state of readiness, now fully clothed and his hair tidied up.
What the hell, Kelly? I asked myself in disbelief. Your mate? Really? You’ve lost your goddamn mind!
“We’ll eat once we arrive. There will be plenty of provisions,” Miljack told us, leaning nonchalantly by the door.
“What about our beasts?” Richard asked.
“They’ll follow the Call,” Miljack replied breezily, not bothering to explain further. Instead, he strode to the door and pulled it open, Pilar hot on his heels.
Miljack opened the shed, letting the beasts free to mill about. He made his way to a clear patch of yellowed grass marred by the remains of disused track. “One of you come hold on to my shoulders tight. The other do the same with Pilar.”
Pilar moved to stand before him, face to face, and Richard and I scrambled to take up the suggested positions, Richard taking up his spot behind Miljack while I held onto Pilar. Both brothers lifted their faces to the sky and raised their arms, saying nothing. A heavy oppressiveness filled the air, weighing down upon us. It carried with it undertones of expectation, and I didn’t know how I knew that, but I did, soul deep. A peek at Richard’s white face peering around Miljack told me he felt it as well. We were both startled as the sounds of rustling increased, followed by soft squeaks that grew louder as a collective. Our suspicions had been spot on. They’d summoned the bats and now we were going to what? Be carried off by them?
That proved to be true as dozens of them locked claws around their brethren until a heaving mass hovered about us, several grasping down to seize onto the twins’ arms and clothing about their shoulders and hips before doing likewise with us.
I heard a small, shrill scream of terror and hoped like hell that it was Richard and not me because that would be embarrassing as hell. Not that I wasn’t terrified out of my mind. Up, up, up, we went. I closed my eyes, refusing to look down. Then the strangest thing happened. A coldness enveloped us and we broke through clouds to gaze upon an expanse of stars above us. My lungs burned and I could feel frost forming upon my cheeks and eyelids, only for things to get even crazier. The world wavered about us, suddenly awash with streaks of multicolored light. Then it cleared and I could feel us descend until the bats let us drop to the ground with a small thump.
I looked about in awe, noting that we were indeed now at another train station, Kronos Point, which was right on the edge of the border of our territory. A train stood on a small side track, laden with connected cars with darkened windows, just like the one that had brought Pilar to us. Bits of accordioned material bridged the gap between them.
“All aboard,” Miljack said, brushing off his clothes. “This train leaves in a very few moments whether you’re aboard or not.”
We hastily scrambled to follow him.
“And our mounts will follow us, you said?” Richard asked again.
“Yes, yes. I’ve imprinted a Call to them, so they’ll follow it straight here. It’ll take them a couple of days and some of our House will be here to collect them.”
Richard’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Thanks. I’d hate to think of those no accounts getting a hold of them.”
He followed Pilar and Miljack into one of the carriages. I took one last look around, a feeling of disbelief washing over me. Had all that really just happened? It felt unreal and for the first time, I could truly comprehend why our ancestors had felt something supernatural had been going on. I knew better of course but still, I didn’t care to repeat the whole fly-by-bat experience if I could help it. I’d rather travel under a blanket by beast.
Stepping inside, I closed the door behind me and heard it latch, a faint blue glow coming from the wall next to it.
“Pryznijy milkoprit,” a gentle voice announced, causing Richard to glance around.
“The train’s AI is letting us know the door is locked and we don’t have to worry about it flying open in transit,” Pilar explained.
“Or someone else opening it from the outside,” Miljack added.
“But you opened it,” I pointed out.
He waggled a small piece of etched glass in the air. “I had a key,” he replied before tucking it back away.
I relaxed. If only someone with such a key could open the door, then…“All the doors are locked?”
“All of them, unless I either use the key or one of them gives the override code.”
The train began to hum.
“Reknirit jamlitr. Glokim schleibert.”
“That’s our cue to sit down,” Pilar said helpfully, making his way to a bench seat. I sat down on one across from him, while Richard sat next to me and Miljack next to his brother. A small, almost imperceptible lurch and the train began to move. I lifted the blind, knowing it was safe to do so as it was late at night. All I could see was trees and they began to blur as the train picked up speed.
“In just a little bit, it will let us access the food car,” Miljack said. “This is an excursion train.”
“Excursion train?” I raised my eyebrows at this.
Miljack nodded. “Groups of foresters come out to check the land and animals as do engineers who check the track. They are catered for, unlike when it’s just a Hunter or two.”
“The AI will be readying the food and drinks for us to consume when ready.” This from Pilar.
“Will it have all java blood in it?” Richard asked. He flushed. “I mean, just so I know what to expect.”
“Some of it will be fresh fruit you pull from stasis,” Pilar reassured him.
“Ah, okay.” Richard licked his lips, his eyes darting around. “Um, is there somewhere I can pee?”
I laughed, despite myself. “You might have to explain how the bathroom works,” I joked with Pilar, harking back to that day back at the manor, which now seemed so long ago.
Pilar tossed his head back and laughed in return, both his brother and Richard looking at us in confusion.
“Just tell me where, I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”
We both laughed harder, our relief at making a truly safe escape making us giddy.
“That door in the back,” Miljack replied, pointing to it while glancing at us with amusement. Right, he’d have seen that in Pilar’s mind. Shit! Had he felt the physical sensations too? My laughter stopped abruptly as I recalled my hard cock digging into Pilar’s back as he rode in front of me up to the manor. Then I laughed again at the absurdity of it all.