The Wind's Call (The Broken Lands #4) - T.A. White Page 0,1

had already touched the land, but you couldn't tell it from the frost coating the branches and leaves.

Eva unhooked the water bladder from its spot on her small pack and held it to her lips. She hesitated. "Elis, I miss you."

Elis's voice was silent now. Not even a hint of criticism to keep Eva company.

Left with nothing else, she tilted the water bladder up, only the thinnest stream of liquid reaching her lips. Squeezing it did little good. It was flat and empty.

Eva hooked the bladder back on her pack, containing the rest of her pitifully small belongings. She hadn't had much time to grab things before she fled. A change of clothes, the water bladder, and a few other odds and ends were the extent of her belongings.

She'd never had much, and now she had less.

That wasn't a bad thing. Fewer belongings meant less to carry.

The only regret she had was leaving behind the small treasures she'd collected from the forest, a pearl tailed falcon feather, a rock the exact same shade as her faded green eyes, and a piece of white bark from the hags. Things that had no meaning to anyone but her. All gone now.

Eva set off again, trying to outwalk her dark thoughts. She needed to focus on the here and now. The past was gone; it wasn't coming back.

Yes, she might die out here. She also might not. She'd prefer she didn't.

That meant her next task was to find water and a place to stay for the night.

Preferably somewhere away from the game path.

As much as it made her travel easier, it would also be prime hunting ground for predators.

*

Hours later Eva lifted her head and sniffed. The smell of damp earth and crisp air greeted her. A stream was nearby.

The thought gave her tired legs a dose of energy.

Evening had set in, stealing the faint hint of warmth the sun had brought with it. Night came fast and early in the forest, the shadows lengthening as if they had a mind and will of their own.

It wouldn't be long before Eva was forced to stop for the night, to find a place to hole up. It would be too dangerous to travel once darkness fell.

Nighttime was when the predatory beasts were most active.

The sound of trickling water reached Eva as she hurried forward. She stepped into view of a small creek, the water flowing over rocks. Good. Moving water was better than stagnant water. There'd be less chance of it making her sick.

Eva fell to her knees beside the creek, dipping her cupped palms into its shallow depths before bringing them to her lips.

The crisp taste of the liquid was blissful after hours of walking.

She took several sips before she unhooked her water bladder and plunged it into the water. It filled slowly and she eyed the water, thinking how nice it would be if she could rinse off some of the dirt coating her—if she could bear the cold.

The faint crackling of branches breaking underfoot reached her. Leaves rustled as something moved through the underbrush.

Eva stiffened, her hand still on the bladder under water. With the instincts of one who'd spent countless hours roaming the forest, she knew she was no longer alone.

Why hadn’t the forest warned her? Or maybe it had, and she’d been too preoccupied with her thirst to listen.

A dozen different scenarios played out in her mind in the blink of an eye. None of them good.

She stood, fumbling for the short bread knife.

She faced the underbrush, her hands shaking as she held the knife in front of her. Whatever it was, she wasn't going to lay down and let death take her. She'd fight to survive. Just like she'd been doing all her life.

Eva remained quiet, hoping she'd imagined the sounds. She didn't dare draw its notice if it was a beast. Doubly so if it was a man.

A long, equine nose pushed through the bushes and a pair of deep brown eyes regarded her with the same level of surprise she felt. The horse snorted, staying where it was, as the two observed each other.

Eva blinked at the unexpected sight of a horse's head appearing over the bushes. Its ears pricked forward as it stayed motionless.

She realized abruptly the horse was waiting. Its gaze somewhat arrogant now that it realized how little threat she presented. Wordlessly, she stepped aside, the hand holding the knife falling to her side as the mare picked her way forward, pushing through