Calan hesitated. He had been the one to extend the offer to ride to Tegan’s betrothed all those years ago. He’d doubted his choice then.
Now? He glanced between Harley and her brother. No, this time I’m right.
He met Ian’s eyes. Eagerness widened them and quickened his breaths. No fear showed in them. Calan had explained everything to him, along with what the next step would entail when he’d given him half of the Huntsman’s mark—the hound. He used his tie to Ian to draw his mind close.
“Are you ready?”
Ian gave a single nod, then turned and straddled the horse in one fluid movement. He fell forward on a groan and wrapped his arms around its ghostly neck. Raucous pants fell from his parted lips, and a violent tremor shook his body. His mouth moved, yet no words came out—the vow of the Hunt given to his horse and, in turn, Arawn.
Harley gasped. “What’s happening to him?”
Calan took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her white knuckles. “He’s bonding to his horse.”
“You’re…” She looked between him and Ian. “You’re making him into a Huntsman? He’s not just going to help look for Cynthia tonight?”
“Becoming a Huntsman is the only way to join the Hunt. Ian wanted this.” Calan tipped his head in Ian’s direction. A soft white light encompassed both rider and horse, bonding them. In Ian’s hand, an obsidian sword appeared. Calan breathed a sigh. “It’s done.”
“Son of a bitch,” Ian rasped. He pushed up and swayed on his mount. A deep laugh rumbled in his chest. He raised his sword. A faint glow emanated from it for a moment before it burst into flames. “It’s real.”
Calan nodded. “Yes, we’re real, and so is the oath you’ve taken. Betray it, and you will suffer in the lowest levels of Hell.” He willed his steed closer, hating that he had to toss Ian into the fury so soon. “Ready?”
“Fuck, yeah.” Ian lowered his arm, the sword disappearing in a puff of sulfur-scented smoke. He grabbed his mount’s mane. “Hope this horse doesn’t need me to direct it. I don’t know how to ride.”
“It doesn’t, and you’ll learn.” The bump of his horse’s head to his arm reminded Calan of the time they’d wasted. “Follow my lead, Ian. Always.”
“Hey, what about me? Don’t I get a horse?” Trevor asked.
Calan glanced at the other human. For a moment, he considered extending an offer to ride to the male. Without his siblings, he was at a disadvantage. He could use the bodies, inexperienced or not. He dismissed the urge in the next breath. Ian had shown his dedication by doing all he could to protect his fellow humans and Harley. Calan knew little about Trevor other than that he was a friend to Ian.
“Not tonight. You’ll have to sit this one out. Go home and lock yourself in your house, human. It’s safer for you to stay indoors.”
“But—”
“Enough. Push me again, and you’ll regret it. Now go. It’s not wise to get caught in the way of the Hunt.” Calan waited until the pissed-off human stormed away before he shifted his attention to Ian. “Let’s ride.”
Ian grabbed Calan’s arm, stopping him from striding past him to get to Harley who stood, silently watching the exchange with assessing eyes. “Trevor’s a bit crude, but he’s a good man. I vouch for his honor. Can’t I invite him to ride?”
Yes, but Calan didn’t want the newly bound male to make such decisions. He sidestepped Ian. Guilt could be damning to a Huntsman. If Ian chose poorly by inviting Trevor, Ian would be saddled with the remorse.
Calan shook his head. “We don’t have time to join another rider with his horse. We’ve wasted enough.”
With his hands at Harley’s waist, he lifted her onto Death’s back and joined her a moment later. He locked his arm around her, then unleashed his tight control. The power of the Hunt rushed out.
He kept his tie to Ian open and shared with the human the glory of the raw, unbridled power. It wrapped around them, reminding them of their purpose and instilling them with its frenzy. Tendrils of energy snaked out in all directions, seeking those who held the taint of pure chaos in their bodies. For miles, it weaved outward. He pushed further but found no trace of Dar.
Calan would bet Raul was close, however. The redcap wanted Harley. In a way, Calan was thankful for Raul’s obsession. If he hadn’t been so focused on coercing Harley into claiming him as her redcap, he probably would’ve goaded her into embracing her Unseelie side. All it would’ve taken was Ian’s death, but with Ian’s tie to the Hunt, dying would no longer be a concern.
Raul had lost. He just didn’t know it yet. He would soon. The time had come to bring retribution to his feet, and Calan knew where to begin his search for Raul: the warehouse where he’d burned his ring.
Calan curled his fingers and recalled his power. He held it close for another heartbeat, then extended his balled fist to the ground. The rush of energy slammed into the earth, and a shock wave shook the world. The wind kicked up, swirling leaves and twigs around them in a cyclone that stretched to the heavens.
For a fleeting moment, he wondered if the humans living at the bottom of the mountain would notice the unnatural occurrence, but the worry passed in the next breath. The fabric of the universe parted and wrapped around their two stallions and dozens of hounds. It offered them the obscurity that had kept them hidden since the Hunt began. He had to trust in its ability to do the same in this modern age.
Another tremor rocked the land, and the tower of whirling wind dispersed,
