Thom sprinted straight for the watchtower, scrambling up the ladder and joining Rory aloft. Thordin was only a few steps slower, a few steps behind. Rory glanced toward me momentarily, then squinted off into the darkness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think it was?\u201d I asked, heart thundering at twice normal speed.<\/p>\n
\u201cMagic,\u201d Rory said flatly. \u201cIt was an explosion, out toward the lakeshore and further south. There\u2019s a fight starting out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thom tried to follow his gaze. \u201cHow far?\u201d<\/p>\n
Another howl split the night, followed by the faint and echoing sound of a hunting horn. Thordin shook his head slowly. \u201cWhoever it is, they\u2019re close.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBloody hell,\u201d Thom muttered, squinting out into the darkness, trying to will his eyes into seeing\u2014<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Hunt rides again,\u201d she whispered, pressed against his chest in their small tent. One of the horses nickered softly, pawing the ground. Thom shuddered, holding Marin tighter.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can feel it.\u201d Her gaze flicked upward to meet his, a faint gleam of evergreen in her eyes. \u201cCan\u2019t you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI try not to.\u201d Thom pressed a kiss to her forehead. \u201cIt was a bargain that\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt was necessary,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was necessary and it was not the wrong choice to make.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe,\u201d Thom murmured. \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThom!\u201d<\/p>\n He jerked, stumbling back. His heel caught on the edge of the opening in the floor where they climbed into and out of the tower. Panic surged, his heart leaping into his throat.<\/p>\n Thordin\u2019s hand shot out and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket, hauling him forward and tossing him to one side. Thom grunted as he hit the plank floor, breathing hard and trying to calm his racing heart.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d Rory asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what\u2019s coming,\u201d Thom whispered, choking on the words. Tremors gripped him, shakes he couldn\u2019t stop. \u201cI know what\u2019s coming and I\u2019m not sure what it means.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Thordin asked. \u201cChristos<\/em>, Thom, you\u2019re as white as death.\u201d<\/p>\n The dead ride. They hunt.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the Wild Hunt,\u201d Thom said. \u201cThe Wild Hunt is coming.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thom sprinted straight for the watchtower, scrambling up the ladder and joining Rory aloft. Thordin was only a few steps slower, a few steps behind. Rory glanced toward me momentarily, then squinted off into the darkness. \u201cWhat do you think … Continue reading