Ruined - Amy Tintera Page 0,93

deal with her later.”

The guards all nodded, but his mother studied him, a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

He quickly turned away. “Let’s go.”

It took less than an hour to catch up to the wagon, and a guard who went ahead informed Cas that the warriors were resting, letting their prisoners out for a bathroom break.

Only two of the Lera guards had bows and arrows, and all eight stood in a circle around him. There were five men and three women, and he didn’t know any of them particularly well, except Galo. But they all listened intently as he outlined his plan, nodding as he gave orders.

“I’m going to make it my mission to open that wagon,” he said, his voice low as they weren’t that far from the warriors. “Either the men or the women will still be inside, because they only let one group out at a time usually. No one in that wagon has a weapon, but we could use the extra bodies.”

“Are you sure you won’t wait here?” Galo asked, and Cas immediately shook his head. “Or just let us go ahead and you can come in after we’ve killed a few of them.”

“No. I’m good with a sword; you need my help.”

“I’m sticking close to you, then,” Galo said. “If you die, we have to take orders from Jovita.”

This produced a few chuckles from the tense guards, and Cas smiled. “Fair point.” He looked at each of them. “Thank you for this. I know our main priority is to get to the mountains and defend the rest of Lera and Vallos, but I can’t just let the warriors take the castle staff. Especially not after they helped me escape.”

A young man with dark curls—one of the guards with a bow and arrow—took a glance around the circle. “I think I speak for all of us when I say that we’re honored to be with the one who wanted to save the staff, not leave them to die.”

The guards nodded in agreement, and Cas looked at them gratefully. “Thank you.” He pointed north. “Let’s go. Get in position.”

The guards scattered, and Galo grabbed the curly-haired one by the wrist and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

“Don’t die.” He released the guard, who shot Galo a quick smile before he took off.

Cas watched him go, then turned to Galo. “How long has that been going on?”

“A few months.” Galo started walking, drawing his sword. Cas did the same.

“Months! You didn’t say.”

“I don’t think now is the time to talk about my love life, Cas,” Galo said, amused.

“Fine. But you’re telling me later.”

Cas stopped behind a tree. He could see the wagon in the clearing ahead. The women were in the wagon, the men in a line outside, getting ready to be loaded back in. The warriors were in the same positions they’d been in when they’d had him—two in front, one on either side of the wagon, and two in back. The two in back were off their horses, supervising the prisoners.

Cas glanced to his right. He couldn’t see the guard, but he was probably almost in position, getting ready to shoot off an arrow.

“How is—what’s his name?” Cas glanced at Galo.

“Mateo.”

“How is Mateo with that bow?”

“Excellent.”

An arrow whizzed through the air. It landed squarely in the back of a warrior at the side of the wagon. Her body convulsed once before she toppled off her horse.

A second arrow flew through the air, but the other warriors were already off their horses, swords drawn.

“In the wagon!” one of the warriors yelled to the prisoners. The men froze, ignoring the order.

Cas broke into a sprint, Galo at his side. Two more arrows flew through the air. A warrior screamed as one lodged in his arm. A few of the male staff members jumped on top of him.

A warrior immediately planted himself in front of the door to the wagon, and Cas swung his sword as he approached. The warrior blocked the attack, his feet kicking up dust as their swords met.

Galo crept around behind the warrior, grabbing him by the throat. The warrior’s eyes widened, his sword jerking sideways. Cas lunged, sinking his sword into the man’s chest Galo dropped him, his body making a thud as it hit the ground.

Cas jumped forward, releasing the latch on the wagon and swinging open the door. Gasps echoed through the group as they recognized him.

He gestured for them to get out, quickly whirling around to survey the damage. He