I headed straight for the fire, my heart thundering against my ribs, bile pooling in my gut.<\/p>\n
Just once, I\u2019d like to catch a goddamned break.<\/em><\/p>\n How many times had that<\/em> thought run through my head since last August?<\/p>\n Davon and Rory were by the fire when I got there, both looking grim as Pippa gave them a rapid-fire assessment of whatever had caused the whistling.<\/p>\n She must have been on watch.<\/em> I spotted Matt coming from the other direction and took a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do we have?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a fog rising out there,\u201d Pippa said, looking stricken as her gaze bounced between Matt and I. \u201cThat means the Greys, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore than that,\u201d I said, shivers creeping down my spine. \u201cIf the Greys are coming back, it means the Hecate is making another move against us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlready?\u201d Matt shifted uncomfortably. He was wearing the battle axe he\u2019d forged, the one Thordin had been working so hard to teach him to wield. \u201cThat bitch doesn\u2019t quit, does she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d I said quietly, swallowing against the sudden tightness in my throat. At least Seamus and Cameron aren\u2019t here. Then again, that means she\u2019s going to focus solely on Phelan and that\u2019s not a good thing, either.<\/em> \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think she\u2019s going to quit until someone makes her quit.\u201d I glanced toward Pippa. \u201cWhen did it start?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTen minutes ago, maybe?\u201d She swallowed hard. \u201cWhere is<\/em> Phelan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s coming,\u201d I said. \u201cHe had to get his staff.\u201d<\/p>\n Rory touched my shoulder. \u201cIt feels wrong, y\u2019know? Doesn\u2019t feel like this is the Greys.\u201d<\/p>\n I looked askance at him, taking in his grim but certain expression. \u201cWhat does it feel like?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember that time we drove down to Cahokia with Tala and stayed at that campsite?\u201d<\/p>\n I shivered. \u201cThat place was haunted.\u201d<\/p>\n Rory just stared at me and my stomach dropped.<\/p>\n What the hell is out there?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Leinth?\u201d I asked, my voice suddenly hoarse.<\/p>\n \u201cHere,\u201d her voice said behind me. I twisted toward the sound and saw her coming toward the fire, a pair of daggers hanging from her belt. I blinked, realizing that I\u2019d never seen her armed before. \u201cIt\u2019s not the angry dead, Marin, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re concerned about, nor is it the Hecate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it?\u201d I asked, feeling sicker by the second. \u201cSomething worse?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always something worse,\u201d she whispered, then smiled weakly. \u201cThat\u2019s the way of it all, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d I said. Sometimes I wonder what I wouldn\u2019t give to change that.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t think that way,\u201d she said, as if I\u2019d somehow broadcast the thought. \u201cThe price is always too high, regardless of how it may seem at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt looked at her, then at me. \u201cWhat do you think, sis?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we get people on the wall,\u201d I told him. \u201cHas the Hunt moved to guard positions?\u201d<\/p>\n Pippa hesitated for a moment, then nodded. \u201cLooked like they were heading in that direction when I came in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s in the tower?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJack.\u201d<\/p>\n I nodded and exhaled. \u201cTake six people and watch the ravines,\u201d I told her, then pointed to the whistle around her neck. \u201cBlow that loud and long if there\u2019s something coming up the sides.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded, biting her lip. \u201cWhy does this always happen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we were lucky enough to survive the end of the world,\u201d I told her.<\/p>\n I turned and walked toward the wall.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I headed straight for the fire, my heart thundering against my ribs, bile pooling in my gut. Just once, I\u2019d like to catch a goddamned break. How many times had that thought run through my head since last August? Davon … Continue reading