“We think someone gave him a poisoned little snack. He wasn’t old enough or ill enough to die in his sleep,” Luykas said softly. “And…I don’t think you would ever kill your gryphon. Actually, I know you wouldn’t.”
Trevan began to shake.
“I think the only reason you’re alive is because you locked your door. Dave’s door is open, and there are no signs of a struggle. He either forgot or…”
“We were drugged?”
“Or he just wandered off and hasn’t made it back. I don’t know,” Luykas said. “But it doesn’t look good.”
Trevan got off his knees, leaving his poor gryphon—his trusty mount and the best gift he had ever received—where he died. It wasn’t as if he would carry the poor thing inside and try to warm him up like a child might with a bird.
“What do you need me to do?” Trevan asked quietly, turning back to Luykas. “Because I’ll do anything to get this son of a bitch. Just tell me what to do.”
“Let’s go,” Luykas ordered.
They moved back inside and packed up Trevan’s things. The others were there to help, and everyone was quiet.
“We need to be looking for Dave,” Trevan said, frustrated. “Not dealing with this.”
“I put the entire village on high alert once we realized something was wrong. My guards are all on it. They’re going over every inch of the valley and beyond to see where he might have gone,” Senri snapped. “We need to secure you.”
They had half his things outside when a guard landed in the snow.
“It’s bad,” the male whispered, his face pale. “I’m sorry.”
Trevan’s stomach dropped.
Luykas grabbed him and pulled him to his chest.
“Show us,” the general demanded.
The guard jumped up, with Luykas following, holding Trevan. Trevan had never been flown by an Andinna, and it terrified him. It was much different from riding a gryphon.
They went out of the village and landed in deep woods just beyond the border of the valley. The guard pointed out a secluded and small cavern. Luykas didn’t have to drag Trevan anywhere. He ran for it.
“Dave!” he called out.
“Trevan! Wait!” Luykas was following him, but he could outrun the Andinna.
I should have made sure he got to bed.
He pushed aside other Andinna in his way and fell to his knees when he saw.
I should have protected you from this.
He reached out and touched the burned cheek of his human friend.
“I’m so sorry,” he sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”
Dave had been tortured to death.
Trevan screamed and screamed in fury and grief.
It sounded oddly like an Andinna, which is what he thought it was until Luykas began to drag him away.
36
Mave
The road was long and cold, but they continued without complaint. Mave’s mind was focused on her goal. Since her last dream of Kristanya, she had not seen the goddess. Was there a reason? She had no idea, but it was the way of things—not a single peep out of Kristanya for over a month. Winter hit them in full force as they traveled, and Mave found herself alone in her dreams.
“We’re here! Right on time,” Alchan called out from the front. Mave was pretty sure she had never seen him drive a horse-drawn wagon before, but that’s what he was doing up there, with Rain and Lilliana on the back, tucked in and covered to protect them from the wind. Mave and Emerian were the only two on horses, but they often traded with Mat, Bryn, and Zayden, so everyone had a chance to get out of the cold.
She pushed the horse to catch up and looked at what he was talking about. They were in a large field, technically a massive valley, and had been for two days, with mountains in all directions. An old road from before the end of the War was their guide, and now, there was a split in it.
“The crossroads,” she said, looking at him. “Does this mean it’s time to split up?”
“We’ll camp for the night, but yeah, tomorrow we head in different directions. You’ll continue straight north while I turn to the northwest.” Alchan directed his horses to the side of the road onto the long-dead grass of the field. Mave followed him, waving Mat to bring their cart. Once everyone stopped, Mave tied her horse to the wagon next to Emerian’s.
Without talking, they worked to build their camp. Alchan, Rain, and Lilliana were sharing one of those special multiple room tents, which was really