Page 113 of In Between Darkness
“Make River uncomfortable like that,” I respond, gesturing to the space on the log that River was sitting on. “He is here to help.”
“He doesn’t give a shit about the missing Moons, Asha,” Ryder spits at me, and I am taken aback by his outburst. “He is doing this for you.”
Now I am the one looking at him confused.
“He obviously still has a thing for you,” Ryder’s voice softens, and the flames dance in the reflection of his eyes.
“Are you…jealous?” I smirk, cupping his face in my hand, his stubble scratching at the soft of my palm.
His reddened cheek retreats from my hand as he looks away.
“Ryder, look at me.”
His eyes drift slowly towards me, and I see it, a flicker of fear behind his eyes, but not for the battle or bloodshed that lies ahead of us, the fear of losing me.
“I’m yours,” I whisper, and he gives in to me, crashing his lips against mine, and for a brief moment, fear has no power, only love.
Someone approaches Ryder and taps him on the shoulder, whispering in his ear, “Ryder, the vehicle is approaching”, just loud enough for me to hear. Ryder nods his head in response and addresses the rest of the camp.
“Gather round,” he demands and makes a circular motion with his hand. The group falls silent, and the students do as they’re told. “The hawks have spotted the van about a mile out. You all know your positions… Let’s go bring our brothers and sisters home.”
His loud voice is suffocated by the Viking cheers of the Moons around camp. They rage like a fire ready to burn, but I don’t rage like them.
“Shouldn’t we wait for the army?” I ask, trying to hide the worry lines on my forehead.
“I’m not leaving them in there any longer than they have to be.” He points up the mountain trail to where the missing Moons are being held. “My father will catch up with us.”
It seems he has already made his decision.
The hustle and bustle of Moons arming and readying themselves for battle fills me with unease. The way they laugh whilst sharpening swords and knives lives up to the stories of the deadly Moons I had worked so hard at forgetting. Let’s just say, I am glad I am on their side.
“You coming?” Ryder says to me as he leads a team of troops to intercept the van.
“Yes,” I respond and shove two small throwing knives into my belt, the moon’s gleam glinting off the blades as I do so.
Ryder’s eyes sparkle as he offers me a warm smile before trailing through the crowd to lead the small troop.
River falls back and walks with me. The crunch of hungry boots chomping at the earth below our feet is daunting, but there’s no going back now.
We lay on our fronts, camouflaged behind a bush, a few clicks ahead of the van, watching the trail. River and I Influenced a large tree to block the road, which went surprisingly smoothly. River is definitely one of the strongest Influencers I have ever met. Now we wait. The idea is that the van will stop, and the passengers will have to get out to move the obstruction. Then we attack.
“Shh, here it comes,” someone whispers, and my body stiffens.
I make eye contact with Ryder, who places a thick finger to his lips. The purring of the engine vibrates off the uneven rocks on the road. The chunky wheels of the truck halt at the large tree trunk, and the exhaust pipes splutter as the engine is switched off, but the headlights still beam, lighting the scene.The slam of the car door echoes around the forest whilst their boots crunch on the gravel. My heart thumping more erratically with each step. A scrape is heard from the side door sliding open, and more rocks loosen under more men’s boots. I can just about see through the bushes, but only their bottom halves. Fourteen black boots march towards the tree trunk. Tension rises in the group as we hold our breaths and wait for Ryder’s signal.
Kyro squawks twice as he flies through the air. Ryder’s signal. River Influences a rock, throwing it in the opposite direction, making all the soldiers turn to face it. The sound of knives leaving holsters makes me feel sick, but I hide it well and stay hidden, ready for the next plan of action. The whoosh of arrows startles me as they ripple through the atmosphere and land on the unsuspecting soldiers with a ‘thwack’, followed by the thuds of their lifeless bodies dropping to the floor. The rest of the soldiers don’t have much time to react because when they stand to aim their knives and arrows, a sea of shadow hawks choke the air from their lungs and scratch their eyeballs out. Their screams haunt the forest as they drop like flies, blood spewing from sharp arrow points and spraying the headlights so that the once orange glow is now a sickly red. Ryder peels himself off the dusty gravel and offers me a hand, but I am still in shock. How can he be fine?
“You didn’t tell me you were going to kill them all!” I whisper-shout at him, trying not to draw too much attention to myself.
“Would you still have wanted to come?” He cocks a brow at me, and I push his hand away, bringing myself to my feet, ready to storm past him, but he grabs my arm.
“Look at their weapons. Do you think they are just for show? They would use them on you in a heartbeat.”
He points to the soldiers lying in their own blood, and I gulp involuntarily. The knives on the floor are large machete-like weapons, and every soldier has one. Their armour is thick andcovers almost all their bodies apart from a small gap between their helmets and clothing. That’s where the Moon’s aimed, and that’s where the arrows lie. He picks one up and hands it to me.
“Now, are you gonna keep complaining, or are you coming with?”
I shudder at his blatant lack of empathy. But he is right, I’m sure they wouldn’t think twice about killing me.
