Page 76 of Unleashed

She looked back at her valos, and her resolve hardened. She would ensure they found their people and their freedom from this place if it was the last thing she did.

Chapter Sixteen

By the time Nina felt well enough to continue — she didn’t think more than fifteen or twenty minutes could’ve passed, at most — the first hints of dawn were lighting the sky. She and her companions checked that their bags were packed and secured and set out immediately.

The chill in the air bled away with disorienting speed, replaced by the same dry, overwhelming heat from yesterday. She felt like she was walking through one of the ovens back in Bahmet.

Time again lost meaning during their trek over scorching rock and sand. As they moved farther from the site of the nighttime massacre, they noticed living critters lurking nearby, but never in concentrated numbers. Without groups to bolster their courage, the creatures were easily frightened off.

Nina tried not to think about what she’d done as she walked. She knew it was important, something she needed to explore, but it would require too much mental energy to reflect upon at this moment. All her concentration was required to keep her feet moving.

Regardless, she didn’t regret protecting her mates.

As before, she drank when the valos insisted, and they refused water when she demanded they do the same. Were it not so hot, she’d have argued with them.

Time passed without meaning thanks to the seemingly unmoving sun. The mud she’d caked on her skin was dry and cracked, flaking off in little bits, but it was better than no protection at all. Still, even with frequent sips of water, the relentless sun quickly sapped her strength. She was silently grateful when Balir called them to a stop.

He stepped in front of Aduun and turned his head as though listening. “There is running water nearby,” he said quietly.

They followed Balir with renewed energy, and soon Nina heard the sound, too — flowing water. The ground descended and grew increasingly rocky, leading them down broad, step-like formations and across low rises.

Finally, they found it — a wide stream, flowing from beneath a cliff face and outward to tumble over the edge of the rocky landscape. The sound of the water landing somewhere below was at once a rumble and a sigh. They hurried to the bank, where all four knelt and drank gratefully from the cool water.

When her thirst was sated, Nina turned her attention downstream, to the point where the water flowed over the cliff. There was a subtle change to the sky beyond; it was blanketed with a shimmering gray sheen that seemed to fade when she focused on it.

She rose and followed the stream until she reached the edge of the cliff. Leaning forward, she cautiously peered over. Lush greenery spread out from the mist below. Trees with giant leaves, vines, and hanging moss, and even farther out a faint glimmer of water amidst the green. A wave of vertigo struck her; she swayed forward unsteadily and would likely have fallen were it not for a heavy hand clasping onto her shoulder. She started, looking back to find Vortok with her.

“Easy, Nina,” he said, offering her a smile. “There are safer ways down. They just take a little longer.”

Once her heart settled, Nina released a long, slow breath, and chuckled. “I wouldn’t have fallen. Really.”

Well… Imighthave.

She was so weary, so overheated, that a drop into the cooling mist below almost sounded preferable to another second in this unforgiving desert air. Even her fear of heights hadn’t kept her away from the edge.

Guess I’ve been a lot higher than this already.

Balir and Aduun joined them. After looking out over the new landscape, Aduun pointed to the side. Her eyes followed the gesture to the sloped, descending rock formations to their left. “We might be able to get down that way. Are you ready to try, or do you need some more rest?”

“I’m fine. We can rest once we’re out of this heat.” She couldjustfeel the mist floating up from below, teasing her, beckoning her, lighting on her skin in cold, fleeting prickles.

Together, the four moved upstream, crossed the water, and walked to the spot Aduun had indicated. Their descent was slow. Several times, the valos had to hold onto her as she climbed down the steeper outcroppings of rock, and Vortok carried her in two spots. Even though the air cooled a bit as they neared the base of the waterfall, even though the cliffs now towering over them blocked the direct sunlight, sweat was dripping down her face and torso by the time they arrived at the bottom.

She walked to the edge of the wide pool that the waterfall emptied into, closed her eyes, and tipped her head back, relishing the feel of the mist on her skin. Without waiting another moment, she dropped her bag, divested herself of her clothing and boots, and stepped into the water. It sloshed around her legs, washing away sweat and mud and soothing her heated skin. When the water reached her waist, she dove under. It was a shock to her senses, but she quickly overcame it, swimming farther out before kicking back to the surface.

Sweeping her wet hair back from her face, she turned toward the shore to find her valos wading toward her. Aduun was the first to submerge himself. Balir and Vortok followed his example soon after. Anticipation sparked new heat inside her as their blurred forms approached beneath the surface.

Aduun rose from the water immediately in front of her. Balir surfaced to his left, and Vortok to his right. Rivulets ran over their fur and scales, and she traced the water’s movement over their broad, powerful muscles before looking them each in the eye, one after another.

Despite her weariness, she felt refreshed, and Aduun, Vortok, and Balir looked better than they had in days, finally rinsed of the blood and dirt from their arduous journey.

“I think this is the right place,” Balir said.

“Right place for what?” she asked.

Aduun stepped forward and placed his hands on her hips before moving backward, drawing her gently toward the shallower water until she stood with her waist above the surface. Vortok and Balir remained beside him. Releasing his soft hold on her, Aduun shifted back so he was between the other two valos. His bright amber eyes held her gaze.

“We wish to solidify our bond with you,” he said.

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