Tenacity (Rise of the Iliri Book 5)

by Auryn Hadley

  She turned, flicking the safety bar, and took aim. The men behind her moved, giving a clear shot, and she squeezed, feeling the string twang, a cry of pain proving that she'd hit her mark. Sal reloaded the weapon, clutching Blaz for support, while her mind sought a safe path back to Issevi. She'd just set the bolt into the rail when she found it.

  Rais! she thought, showing him the route. It's the safest, fastest way across.

  But how safe is that? he asked.

  No idea, but it's on the maps so can't be too bad.

  Murah broke in. Show me, I'll check.

  She did, and he darted ahead of them, slipping between trees and underbrush that the horses couldn't fit through. It didn't take long before he was out of sight. Sal kept firing on the Terrans behind them, risking a shot anytime she could see them through the trees.

  It's clear, Murah said. Take a straight path here, but spread out, we can only fit one at a time.

  You heard him. Celso first, then Blaz. The rest of you cover our backs.

  Hand me your bow, Kolt thought. Then we'll at least have a rear guard.

  Blaz chuckled. Think you can shoot as well as a Kaisae?

  No, but I'm not as bad as a human, either. Kolt looked over, his expression showing that he was only partially joking.

  Blaz just laughed. Coulda fooled me. Last time I saw you, I seem to recall a lot of big words and not so much action.

  Stop, Sal warned them. I've had enough of you males posturing for one day. I just want to go home, ok?

  Sorry, Blaz and Kolt sent to her at the same time.

  She flipped the catch on the crossbow, preventing it from accidentally firing, and clipped it to Blaz's waist, then pressed her cheek against his shoulder. She closed her eyes as they moved, watching their path from his eyes until they reached the tree line. They'd ridden faster than the Terrans, increasing their lead, giving them enough time to make it into the narrow ravine without being spotted.

  When they were well into the crevice, tall rock walls reached up on either side of them, and Sal asked Blaz to stop. "Let me off and give me a bow," she begged.

  "We can't turn the horses in here, Sal." He shook his head. "Our best plan is to keep moving."

  "Yeah," she agreed. "But your backs are exposed. I can pick them off and meet back up with you."

  She can, Kolt sent. She can also climb like a freak of nature. Just give her a damned bow?

  Do it, Rais agreed.

  The man behind her, Lorenz, offered his over his horse's neck. Sal leaned back and took it, smiling when he tossed a full quiver of arrows next. She slipped the string over her shoulder and clipped the quiver to her belt, then shifted to her knees on Rax's hip. Moving carefully, she stood on the stallion's back, then jumped, easily grabbing a ledge in the cliff wall. With a glance over her shoulder, she smiled and began climbing, testing each hold before she asked it to bear her weight.

  The walls were only about ten meters tall, but it was enough to make the humans stare at her in awe. At the top, a broken ledge ran most of the length of the ravine, large boulders the only obstacle to her. Sal jogged back the way they'd come, crawling over the rocks when she could, climbing around them when she couldn't. When she reached the opening, she was pleased to see two large stones placed perfectly. They would hide her from view and enemy weapons.

  She nocked an arrow and waited. The 112th was well into the narrow pass before the first Terran broke from the trees. Sal took her time lining up her shot. When she released the arrow, it sank deep into his chest, piercing the Terran's heart. The man was dead before he hit the ground. Quickly she grabbed another and another, taking out three men before they knew what was happening.

  Their confused words drifted up to her. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but the tone was unmistakable. The had no idea where she was or how many soldiers were in the rocks. Sal waited.

  She managed to get eight total before they called a full retreat. She heard it, and her ears followed their horses as they raced to find another way through the mountains. Unfortunately, in their mad dash, the 112th had already shown them one. Most likely, the Terrans would be waiting for them on the other side of the Siahies.

  Sal hurried back to the men, able to move faster on foot than the horses could on the broken rocks. When she caught up to Blaz, she could make out the exit, only a few dozen meters ahead of them.

  They fell back, she told them, leaning over so they could see her. And we're almost out of this hell. I'll meet you at the end.

  Sal! Blaz thought. Check for Terrans, girl. We don't know if they're waiting for us.

  What do you think I'm doing? she asked, jogging ahead.

  The far side of the pass was clear. Sal pulled the bow across her shoulders and quickly climbed back down, reclining against a boulder as she waited for them to reach her. The sun was warm on her black clothes, but a cool breeze prevented it from feeling truly good. At least she had the moment to stop moving. She breathed deeply, trying to calm her mind and push away the desire that was screaming at her. She wanted Jase. She needed to feel his teeth against her as she tore at him. She could almost imagine how he -

  Sal? Kolt's voice was amused. Lock it down, babe, or you'll drive these men crazy.

  That's her? She recognized Lorenz's voice.

  Sorry, she told them. That's the bloodlust. Thanks, Kolt.

  Welcome. You were making Tolan start to look appealing, so I knew it wasn't me.

  She laughed and turned to see Celso guiding his gelding from the pass. No, it's me. Combat's over, the exit is clear.

  How long can you hold it? Kolt asked, but his question was for her alone.

  I need maerte or to sleep. I can hold this for days, though. We're ok.

  K. Then I'm getting you back to your mates. If you can't take it... He didn't finish the words, but she felt the thought. He did not want her to lay with one of the human men.

  She needed him to understand that wouldn't happen. I'd kill them. Kolt, if I bit one, I wouldn't stop. That's why I won't touch humans. I'm gonna need you to make sure I don't forget.

  She felt something trickle into her mind but couldn't quite identify the emotion. I can do that, he promised, catching her eye as they emerged from between the rocks.

  Blaz reined Rax toward her. "Ready to keep going?" he asked, kicking his foot out of the stirrup and offering her a hand.

  "Always," Sal replied, accepting both. She settled behind him easily, breathing in the sweet sugar of humans.

  Her stomach growled, and she released the meld, reminding herself that these were her friends, not her meal. Rais moved back to the front, the rest of the unit forming around him, and they continued on at a walk, giving their horses the chance to catch their breath and relax. Sal wrapped her arms around Blaz and closed her eyes, reaching out for the Black Blades.

  Arctic? Jase? Zep?

  Will I do? A gentle voice asked back. Sal smiled as she recognized Audgan. You're almost home, Kaisae.

  Chapter 40

  We just crossed the Siahies, she told her brother. I'm with the 112th, heading to Issevi.

  I'm relaying, Audgan told her. You're just outside of everyone's range. Arctic has a few of us scouting with the nuvani. Dogs are in the CFC. Tseri is using Issevi as her base of operations. Dom and the Shields are assisting Viraenova.

  How far out is Jase?

  Audgan sent his relief. He's coming from the north, you from the south. I think he'll beat you by an hour. They're fine, Sal. Jase and Zep are fine.

  Blaec's not.

  His sorrow hit her. I know. We felt it, Kaisae. I won't even ask if you're ok, but the concern is there.

  I'm healing, she promised him. How's Arctic?

  Strong. Audgan sounded a bit surprised at that. He hurts as much as the rest of us, but he's held us together. He's a good Raewar. He'll do.

  I'm bringing us a new Blade. The man who saved me, Enik Kolton.

  A human? Audgan didn't sound pleased.

  An iliri wh
o knew how to hide better than we did, she corrected.

  Razor says you're a bit over two days out, Sal. Don't ride all night, ok?

  Promise, she told him, then let the link dissolve. "We're two days from Issevi," she told the 112th.

  "You sure?" Rais asked.

  "Razor judged it. I can't do that, but he's pretty damned accurate."

  Rais nodded, accepting that. "Then we push until night, camp, and ride hard tomorrow. You two up for that?"

  Sal tilted her head and shrugged. "Always, Captain. I'm riding under your unit, so follow your orders."

  Blaz chuckled a bit at that, but Rais shook his head. "Kaisae, let's not lie to ourselves. We both know the whole unit would defect if I tried to tell you what to do and the damned soldier at my back would probably gut me."

  "I would," Kolt promised.

  Rais grinned at her. "See? Don't know what the fuck you do, but the 112th is yours, sir."

  "Thanks, Rais." Sal glanced at Kolt. "I don't know what I do either, but it seems to be working."

  "Yeah," Blaz agreed. "You're winning. We're not."

  "Audgan said the Devil Dogs are in the CFC?"

  "Yep." Blaz glanced over his shoulder at her. "They're clearing the Siahies, making a path to the Forward Camp. Technically they're under our command, but we needed to take a slight detour."

  "I'm glad you did." She pressed against his back. "I have a few things to deal with in Issevi, then we need to take care of the Conglomerate."

  "What things?" Rais asked. "Put another way, can we help?"

  "Not your skill set," Sal told him. "Unless you happen to know how to make the nuvani and the Unavi Rebels play well with each other."

  "I'm not so good with iliri relations." Blaz looked back and winked.

  Sal patted his shoulder. "Thing is, we have a couple of purebred girls in Issevi. Viraenova wants to protect them, but the rebellion is worried -"

  "No shit?" Celso asked. "The Unavi rebels are real?"

  Kolt chuckled. "Of course they are."

  Celso glared at him. "Don't tell me we're the only people who didn't know!"

  "Most iliri have known for about a while," Sal said, easing the tension. "They've been waiting for my orders."

  "Yours?" Lorenz asked.

  Sal nodded. "I'm the only Kaisae left. There's no one else to direct us."

  "Damn, Blaz," Lorenz teased. "You make some powerful friends. Or should I say make out with them?"

  "Guys." Blaz was starting to blush. "You all know there was nothing to that."

  "Bullshit." Lorenz wasn't about to let up. "We all know nothing happened, but only because Cyno's a mean shit."

  "Told ya," Kolt said, his eyes on Sal.

  "She fixed me, ok?" Blaz snapped, slowly looking at all of them. "She got Jiensa out of my head so I could move on. The night I met Sal, I was trying to drink enough to find the courage to fall on my sword. My only concern was that I'd miss. I didn't plan to see another day until I realized she needed a friend as much as I did."

  His words silenced them all. Sal wrapped her arms around him and put her chin on his shoulder. "Ayati," she whispered. "I needed you. I still do."

  He nodded. "I know. Felt it when you thanked me for pulling that ape off ya. Fucking steel blade at your side and you let me feel like I'd saved the damsel in distress." He chuckled wryly. "I haven't thought about killing myself since, Sal. I told you. You saved me." He grabbed her hand, pressing it to his chest as he leaned his head against hers.

  "That's why you've been so devoted?" Lorenz asked gently.

  "It's her." Kolt looked at Blaz without the animosity he'd had before. "It's why you're all here. You can't smell her like we do, but your body knows it. I don't know how. It's never affected humans before."

  "The pheromones?" Sal asked.

  Kolt shrugged. "I don't know what it is. I just know that the way they act is how I felt about the other Kaisaes. You, though? You're different."

  "What do you mean?" Blaz asked.

  Kolt sighed and explained to the humans how Kaisaes tug at iliri males. He told them about the need to obey, like a child would their mother, but the unrelenting awe and love that came with it. They covered kilometers while he told stories of the Kaisaes of old and the men who followed them.

  "Ok," Aleks said, looking at his fellow soldiers. "I can't be the only one to feel that way, right?"

  "No," Celso said. "Back in Syhar, some guy wanted to dance with the new girl, and I couldn't help myself. I wanted to beat his ass because no one threatens Sal's sister."

  "Thank you," Sal said. "Shade has been through too much."

  "So have you," Blaz whispered, but Celso heard.

  "They treat you like that, Sal?"

  She shrugged. "They tried. I was a slave for a long time."

  "Leave it," Kolt warned.

  "Yeah." Celso looked away. "Just don't get it, Sal. I mean, kinda sounds like humans have been shit to you, yet you keep taking care of us."

  She hugged Blaz. "Not all humans. The 112th has been good to me. Devil Dogs, too. Anglia. All of Anglia makes me feel wanted."

  "Ran." Rais smiled as he said it. "That man adores you, Sal."

  "Yeah. Blaec never told me why."

  Rais shrugged. "You need to ask him. To quote the Blades, it isn't my story to tell, even if I know it. He has a good reason, though."

  Sal nodded and pressed her head back to Blaz's shoulder, her hand catching in the laces of his leather armor. She sighed, and let her eyes slip closed, feeling the movement of the horse rocking them together. Slow, rhythmically, almost begging for her to sink her teeth -

  "Sal!" Kolt hissed.

  Her eyes snapped open. "Fuck," she growled.

  "What?" Blaz asked.

  Kolt looked at her, knowing the maast was still humming in her veins. "Don't do that, Kaisae. You'd regret it."

  "Do what?" Blaz looked back at her.

  "I need to kill something," Sal told him, her tone sweet even if her words weren't. "I'm assuming none of you will mind fresh meat for dinner?"

  "Fuck no," Lorenz said.

  She patted Blaz's shoulder and slipped from Rax's moving back, not even warning her friend before she did it. He pulled the stallion up and turned, but Sal waved him ahead. "I'm ok. I just really need to kill something."

  Aleks found that amusing. "Not every day you hear that line. Whatcha need, Sal?"

  She inhaled. "I smell boar. How far to camp, Captain?"

  "Shit, you kill a pig, and we'll camp where ever you want."

  "Not yet," Kolt said. "We need to get to Issevi, not take a vacation. Can you hold out, babe?"

  "Just don't let me bite them." She looked at the humans. "None of you. Do not let me bite you, even if I make it sound really appealing."

  "Why?" Celso asked.

  "I wouldn't stop."

  She turned to track her prey, leaving the mounted soldiers behind, but could hear Kolt talking to them. "She's still fighting the bloodlust. Her body thinks she needs to eat you all."

  While Kolt explained, Sal tracked the boar's scent. It was a young one, no larger than she was, but supple and tender. She caught it rooting at the base of a tree, just one hill away from the 112th. The fight was intense but over too soon. Sal simply pounced on it, holding herself against it's back as she plunged her dagger repeatedly into its heart, the pig struggling the entire time. She held it as the animal died, unable to stop herself from sinking her teeth into its neck, ripping out a chunk of flesh. The taste of raw meat gave her some release, but not enough.

  You boys want to come get this? she asked.

  She heard the horses before they crested the hill but didn't bother getting up. Its blood seeped into the grass, and she wanted to lick at it. The smell of men was driving her crazy with her need for more. She growled and took another bite, not caring that the humans were watching.

  "Fuck," Aleks breathed. "That didn't take long."

  Kolt jumped from the horse's back. "She's a hunter," he sa
id, moving to Sal's side. "Babe? You hanging in there?"

  She nodded.

  "Well, you're covered in pig." He knelt before her and wiped at her face with the sleeve of his shirt. "You're a messier eater than Las. The food goes in, not on, little one."

  She looked up at him, desire in her eyes. "Either works," she whispered.

  Kolt grabbed the side of her head, staring into her eyes. "Breathe, Sal. You're stronger than your instincts. Two days. Hell, less than that now." He leaned closer. "Can you make it?"

  "I don't have much choice, do I?"

  His thumb traced her jaw. "You do, but it's your choice, Kaisae."

  "Hey, Celso?" Blaz asked. "Mind a second?"

  "Her?"

  "No, me." Blaz tilted his head toward Sal. "I'm thinking that Kolt's the only one of us she won't try to eat. Figured it might be better to let her smell him for a bit."

  Kolt looked back slowly. "You'd give me your horse?"

  Blaz shook his head. "Not you. Her."

  "Can you work with that, babe?"

  Sal nodded and pulled herself to her feet. "Yeah. Just lose the necklace. It's the smell that's killing me."

  Kolt removed it and pushed it into his pack, then walked to one of the other men. "I need this to stay at least two meters from her."

  "Can do, sir."

  "Which one are you?" Kolt asked.

  "Sergeant Lance Shern, sir."

  Kolt chuckled. "I'm a sergeant too, Shern. Not a sir."

  "And wearing black." Shern shrugged. "The 112th knows better."

  "Not a real Blade yet, so you can relax and call me Kolt. Now, you willing to help me get this pig on a horse so we can get out of here?"

  "Can do," Shern agreed.

  Together, the men shuffled everything around. The boar ended up behind Rais, Blaz rode behind Celso, and Shern returned to his gelding with Kolt's pack secured behind him. While they did all of that, Sal lay in the grass, her eyes closed, breathing deeply, reminding herself that she was stronger than her urges.

  "Time to go, babe." Kolt held out his hand.

  She took it and let him pull her to her feet. When they reached Rax, Kolt motioned for her to mount first. She settled into the saddle, and he climbed behind her, his hands resting gently on her waist.