Echoes of the Raven (The Eldrystone #2)

6. CHAPTER 6

6

RíFíOR

“Thank all the gods and saints we found her!”

Jago Plumanegra (Casa Plumanegra) - Third in line to the Plumanegra throne - 21 AV

I traverse many labyrinthine passages to get back to the alcove where we keep Valeria. She is hidden well within the bowels of the catacombs, a place few can find even if they’re familiar with the tunnels.

As I get closer, I’m still trying to decide how to tell her everything when I perceive something is wrong. The metallic scent of blood hangs in the air as well as the musk of a male I don’t recognize.

Hurrying forward under the warm light of the torches, I reach the entrance to the alcove and find the guard on duty sprawled on the floor. I jump over him and run straight into the holding cell to find that Valeria is gone. The ropes that held her are cut loose.

“Godsdammit!” I curse, rushing back out and kneeling to check on the guard. He has a nasty cut on his temple from which blood seeps profusely, but he’s still breathing.

“Incompetent fool,” I mutter under my breath, then run at full pelt the way I came .

My nostrils flare as I follow the faint scent of the strange male. It mingles with Valeria’s, so it is easy to follow.

Cursing inwardly, I can’t fathom who has taken her. No one just stumbles into these catacombs, much less to that far-removed alcove. There are only two possible explanations. It is an inside job, which I’m fairly certain it isn’t—every veilfallen knows I will kill them if they betray me—or someone with tracking magic found her. This last possibility is still unlikely, though not impossible. Only my kin possess magic in this realm, and they would think twice before using it against us.

I hear a faint shout echoing in the distance. “Who goes there?!”

That must be them. Someone has spotted their escape. I increase my speed, my shoulders scraping the narrow walls as I twist and turn through the many passages. She’s still here. I can’t let her escape. Everything we’ve done will be for naught if she slips through our fingers.

I come to a halt at a fork, disoriented for a moment. I have to close my eyes and will my heart to slow to pick up the scent again. Once I have it, I wait and listen. The right! Hurried steps are echoing in that direction. They are faint, no louder than the patter of a mouse, but I’m sure it is them.

Without hesitation, I sprint that way, arms pumping.

Valeria! Her name is an angry scream inside my head. She can’t leave without telling me where that damn bird took the amulet. Like a fool, I have scoured the skies these past four days, trying to spot Valeria’s miserable pet, but it is a useless errand. There are too many ravens in the sky to spot the one that matters.

Anger flows through my veins like liquid fire as I veer into a passage that I know leads outside. Whoever came for Valeria has made every correct turn in order to escape. How?! If I get my hands on that damn male, I will strangle him, make sure he tells no one else where to find us .

Several excruciating moments later, I break into the open, the cool night air hitting my sweaty face. I pause only for an instant to reorient myself, figure out exactly which way they went, and start running again.

They headed north into the woods. They can’t be far, at least that is what I tell myself.

I crash through brambles, pushing aside broken branches. Their passage is clear, and there is—

With a jolt, I come to an abrupt stop. One of my kin lies on the ground, groaning and pressing a hand to the back of his head as he tries to sit.

“Where are they?!” I demand, dropping to one knee and shaking him by the shoulders.

His eyes roll back into his head as he tries to focus.

“Answer me!”

The male lifts a hand and vaguely points over his shoulder.

With a curse, I sprint past him, doing my best to spot any unusual signs as I go. A bad feeling descends over me. I know there is a small clearing ahead, one that connects to a narrow path, which eventually leads to a dirt road. We often use it when we bring supplies in by wagon.

As I make it to the clearing, I come to a halt and find no one there. My eyes rove around as if Valeria will rematerialize because I want her to, but I know she’s already beyond my reach.

I can feel her absence like a void in my chest. The possibility of finally going home which felt so real, so palpable the last few days, has vanished, and once more, I am left with the weight of uncertainty, heavy like an anchor around my neck.

The fury that has been searing my veins as I chased her spills over, and I throw my head back and rage at the heavens above.

For a moment, I forgot myself and grew soft, allowing desire for a woman to taint my purpose, but no more. Valeria Plumanegra and whoever helped her escape will feel the breadth of my wrath. I will not rest until she gives me The Eldrystone.

I’m coming for her. Damn everything and everybody else.