The Traitor A. Lombardo (best thriller novels to read TXT) 📖

Kai studied the rolling slope leading toward the estate. “Maybe, if we walk over the knoll.” He looked up the road again. “Could be worse, at least these men are not Roark’s elite unit. They do not have the Galloway symbol on their coats. It would mean Roark would not be far behind them.”

His confidence sank when the silhouette of Dresnor came into view. Perched high in the saddle, his friend stopped at the top of the hill and waited for the returning scouts. More men crested the hill, forming two lines behind Dresnor.

“We need to move now.” She gave him little choice by taking the cloak from his shoulders and balling it up around her cloak. “When we reach the top, we should run. I know you will not be able to speak to me once you transform, but I will keep up.”

Kai nodded. “It may be a risk, but I think we should walk at an angle toward the men.” He used his hands to demonstrate a parallel movement. “The sooner we pass them, the better. They should continue to follow the road and we can reach the tree line to hide.”

Taking hold of his crystal, he transformed while remaining low along the ground. Giving a quick shake of his fur, he stood tall and glanced up the road. The scouts fell in line, and Dresnor took the lead as the group started down the hill. An uneasy feeling swelled as he watched them until Rayna’s hand touched his side.

Letting his fluffy tail brush the snowy trail behind them, he held his ears back and head down, hoping to hide the blackest parts of his snow wolf’s coat. It was a risk going back the way they came and getting closer to the estate grounds, but he could not risk crossing the road into an open field. Instead, he eased away from the road and walked toward Dresnor and his men.

Rayna nestled near his front leg, her head leaned into his wolf’s shoulder. His massive size hid her from view as she hopped through the knee-deep snow while he walked at a comfortable pace up the slope. Each step took them closer to safety, although he knew no hiding place would be safe as long as they were in Port Anahita with Roark nearby. Meanwhile, Dresnor’s group came closer.

A sharp whistle caught Kai’s attention, and his wolf ears perked to the sound. Stopping, he instinctively turned his head toward the road. He stood parallel with Dresnor. A tightness formed in his chest as he stared at his friend. Were they friends anymore? After all, he asked this man for help, and Dresnor had threatened to turn him into the authorities.

Rayna whispered in his ear. “We need to go, Kai.”

He knew she was right, but he felt paralyzed by the past. There were so many lies and half-truths between them now. The deceit lingered between him and his old friend like an invisible wall they both knew was there but had no idea how to tear it down. I am so tired of running. There is no escaping my fate. Should I turn myself in now, save everyone the trouble?

Dresnor eased his horse down the embankment. Frozen by sadness, Kai stared at his past, torn between staying and running away. I am ready to give up, he wanted to shout.

Moving slow and easy, Dresnor rode closer. “Hello there, you beautiful beast,” his friend called, riding slow—getting closer. “I have never seen anything like you before, you stand as tall as my horse.”

Kai stared. Take me away, I do not care anymore, his insides screamed.

A guard called from the road. “Dresnor, this is foolish, look how big the wolf is . . . Come back, man, please.”

Rayna grabbed handfuls of wolf hair and pushed Kai. “Please! Please, run!” she cried.

An uneasiness rolled in Kai’s stomach, and his hackles rose. Rayna’s plea touched his heart, and he shook his head, mane, and body. I have something—someone to live for, he remembered.

Baring his teeth, he growled at Dresnor’s horse. As loud and fierce as he could, he barked and growled and stepped toward his foe. The horse reared, but Dresnor held the reins. “Easy now.” Dresnor wrangled his horse under control. “Easy boy.”

“Dresnor!” another man shouted. “Should we kill it?”

Kai lowered his head and growled again as his friend back away, directing his horse onto the road. “No, leave it be!” Dresnor waved them off. “Let’s go.” He led his men down the road.

Kai lowered his head and felt ashamed for his foolishness.

Rayna wrapped herself in both cloaks. “Come now,” she put her hands on either side of his muzzle and let her head fall against his. “You will be alright. Roark is coming, and we still needed to check the woods between here and Diu. Probably best if you stay in beast form. If I ride on your back, we will make better time than walking. Not sure there is any safe place for you to become a dragon.”

In agreement, he lowered into a crouch so Rayna could climb onto his back.

New snow fell from the sky, hiding them both in the rebirth of the storm. Kai hated to admit all the doubt swirling around in his head. The usual four-hour horseback ride to Diu took him less than an hour. And once again, the storm eased, revealing patches of the clear stary night through the clouds.

Chapter 20

The Gravedigger

The moonlight danced between the rolling clouds kissing Baden Lake. Standing at the edge of the snow-covered forest, Kai clutched Rayna’s hand. In the distance, he could see Diu beyond the Stone River Bridge. The sound of rushing water below Baden Lake dam was serene, but the lights of