Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 639(@200wpm)___ 511(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
He motioned for us to move. “I can jump to the ledge.”
“Don’t be annoying, and take our hands.” I kept my arms down and anticipated the strain of his weight.
“Ivory, I weigh a lot more than you do—”
“Just shut up and do it.” Effie threw down her arms. “Come on.”
Ryker released a loud sigh before he gripped each of our hands and started to pull himself up.
We pulled back, lifting him from the ground and to the ledge.
I ground my teeth as my body strained to keep going. “Gods, you’re like an ox…”
We made it over the edge and collapsed onto the roof.
Ryker seemed just as tired as the two of us. “Alright, so we have no weapons, no gear, and we’re going to sneak out of here and try to make it back to Delacroix in one piece?”
I lay on my back as I looked at the sky, still breathing heavily. “Yep. Pretty much. Maybe we’ll eat a yeti on the way.”
“Gods,” Ryker said with a moan. “If I have to fight a yeti with a dagger, I’m going to be pissed.”
“You’re going to be dead, more like it.” Effie got to her feet and brushed herself off. “Maybe we can steal some weapons along the way. Ryker can sneak up on a guard and take him out with the dagger.”
“Not a bad idea.” I got to my feet and took a look around. It was dark, only the moonlight breaking through the clouds to give us visibility. “Can the Teeth see in the dark or anything?”
Ryker gave a shrug. “I’d assume they can do anything until further notice.”
“Then we have to be careful.” I walked to the edge of the building and looked down. “And quiet.”
“Well, that’s going to be hard to manage with you…” Ryker came to my side and peered over the edge.
I cast him a glare. “If we weren’t running for our lives right now, I’d push you over.”
Ryker turned to Effie. “You see how she talks to me?”
Effie came to the other side of me. “I’m sure she has her reasons.”
“Wow.” Ryker looked away. “Now I see how it is…”
I was caught between them, right in the middle of the tension. “Let’s focus, guys. I’ll go first.”
The guard was right in front of me, his sword and shield over his back. He paced left and right, looking over the edge to the city beyond. I tiptoed forward with the small dagger in my hand.
But Ryker got there first. Gripped him by the head and snapped his neck. Before the guard’s body fell and made a loud thud, Ryker caught him beneath the arms and dragged him behind the building.
I released a growl. “I had him.”
“Really? Because it looked as if you were creeping like a scared mouse.” He leaned the body right against the wall, so it was less likely to be discovered until morning. “We’re racing against the clock. If the Teeth come to feed on Effie tonight, we’ll be screwed. Just let me handle it.” He took the sword and shield for himself and then handed Effie the extra dagger he found.
I rolled my eyes and bottled my annoyance.
“He’s right,” Effie said. “He’s quick.”
Ryker took the lead down to the next level, sticking to the cover of the buildings, his footsteps inaudible. It was a long way down, and we’d have to sneak up on a lot of guards along the way. I was actually relieved I wasn’t alone because this would be a lot harder if I were.
When we came up on another guard, Ryker did the same thing, snapping his neck before he could even react. His weapons were harvested off his body, and then his corpse was tucked somewhere off the path. He handed the bow and arrow to me. “I know you’re a good shot.” The short sword went to Effie.
“I should take the sword too,” I said. “I know how to use it.”
“Remember what Mom said?” Ryker turned to me. “That you’re supposed to share?”
I gave him a glare. “Now isn’t the time—”
“You can’t shoot and wield a sword at the same time. All Effie needs to do is shove that sword into someone’s belly and she’s golden. Trust me, she can handle that.” Ryker took the lead once again. “Come on.”
I turned to Effie when he was out of earshot. “He’s just trying to get back in your good graces.”
She admired the sword before she tucked it into her scabbard. “I know.”
“Is it working?”
She gave a shrug. “Not sure…”
We made it to the bottom, but now we were stuck behind the gate that protected the Crags from invasion. Guards were everywhere, the torches illuminating their dark clothing and weapons. I was out of ideas. I turned to Ryker. “Should we attack them all or…?”
He gave me that look that said, “You’re an idiot.”