and Alex. Part of him was already screaming to make the cut, to push his knife forward for he would never get another chance. What the hell was he waiting for?
Falk tensed his muscles.
“Alex,” Paul cried out desperately, his brain still reeling from the blow. “I can get her back.”
Falk hesitated. His eyes flicked to where, a few meters away, her lifeless body still lay on the ground miraculously untouched by the battle that had been fought around her. Could this really be true? He opened his awareness, letting it expand into the world above. He could sense the wolves moving. The Rider spoke again in a breathless whisper.
“Go and save Nicola from the wolves. I will bring Alex. Only then can we complete the awakening. There is no other way.”
The sudden choice lay before Falk, its weight bearing down on him.
“Why should I believe you?” growled Falk.
“Because I am not who you think I am,” cried Paul urgently. “Myrkur thought he banished Arachar when he made the first Rider but he did not. It is the same with me.”
“You led him here. You killed Gwen,” Falk barked back at him. “Your only purpose is to destroy.”
“The Rider killed them, not me,” said Paul breathlessly.
“You are the Rider,” cried Falk.
Paul’s voice dropped. He spoke with all the force he could muster.
“In a few minutes the wolves will be at a hotel in Penwryn. They will go to the second floor and there they will find Nicola and everything will end unless we act now, unless you trust me.”
“Listen to what you ask of me,” Falk cried out. “You, who brought death to me and my people. How can I ever trust you?”
“Because I could have killed you already.”
Paul indicated downwards to his right. Falk followed his gaze, a sinking feeling in his stomach. As he looked down he saw the needle sharp dagger in Paul’s other hand, the point of the blade pressed against the side of his chest. It would only have taken a single movement to plunge the blade through Falk’s ribs and into his heart.
“I love Nicola,” said Paul his eyes burning with anger. “Don’t you understand? I love her.”
The pair stared at each other for a few seconds, and then slowly Paul lessoned the pressure on the knife and then pulled it away.
“Do you trust me now Falk?”
Warily Falk clambered to his feet, not taking his eyes from Paul.
“It is true you could have killed me then, yet you did not.”
Falk sighed.
“What choice do I have?”
Paul held his stare.
“I didn’t ask for this.”
“Yet it is you,” Falk replied.
Paul stood up and then went to Alex’s side, cradling her head in his arms. He turned, his face unreadable.
“Nicola is shielded. Room 22 of the Victoria Hotel in Penwryn. I will wait for you at the Oak in the clearing.”
Falk nodded.
“And afterwards?”
“Nicola will decide.”
“We are still enemies,” said Falk.
“I know,” Paul replied holding his gaze.
Falk stood before them among the trees. Shock threatened to overwhelm him. Gwen was right. The Rider’s power was absolute. Yet Falk was still alive. The Rider was in turmoil, that was plain to see, a dangerous conflict burning within him. If what he said was true he was determined to complete the awakening. It was utter madness, for no agent of the Dark would allow that. Falk shook his head. His continued existence was living proof of the Rider’s intentions. He had no choice but to believe him. Taking a deep breath he launched himself upwards and embraced the falcon within his mind, his wings biting into the frigid air. Accelerating hard, his form merged with the night and then disappeared.
*****
Paul stared down at his sister. Her face was ashen, her chest barely moving as she breathed. He touched her forehead and tried to feel into her mind but it was as if a barrier had been thrown around her consciousness and he could sense nothing. He removed his hand and stared down at her, bitterness clutching at his heart, for there was nothing more he could do.
Gently he lifted her up, cradling her motionless body in his arms. Moving to his horse he lifted her up and placed her across the saddle. Readying himself he prepared to jump up behind her. It was then that he felt the link opening in his mind. At first he did not comprehend what was happening, but then the realization gripped him.
“No,” he screamed as the Rider took over his mind and called to Myrkur, but