Page 85 of Lies That Bleed
“What’s she trying to tell me?” I asked Tetra.
Tetra glared at her creature like she was a traitor. “Nothing.”
I knew better than to pry. I’d gotten all I was going to out of this girl and I was just grateful she was up and walking.
I couldn’t help but notice how Kohen was waiting up ahead with Anika. Waiting for me? Looking out for me? Or just being a good team leader?
When we reached them, I saw that Anika had taped up the cut under his eye and a spike of jealousy rushed through me. Did she like touching that perfect face? Had they ever dated? Had they ever kissed?
“All good?” Anika asked Tetra, who simply nodded, almost skipping to avoid putting any pressure on her leg.
Kohen stepped out from beside Anika and blocked Tetra’s path.
“Ride your creature. That’s an order, Thindrel,” he snapped, looking every inch a commanding officer.
Tetra’s head reared back at the same time as mine. “Excuse me?” she said.
“Yeah, what the hell? Don’t talk to her like that,” I warned him.
His gaze cut to mine. “This doesn’t concern you, Aisling. Move along.” There was something in his gaze, something that screamed for me to trust him.
This was my best friend we were talking about. My ride or die. But in my heart I did trust Kohen, even if I didn’t want to.
So I walked away, Anika following me. I left him alone with Tetra.
I took twenty steps and stopped, but Anika grabbed my arm and forced me to keep going. “He’s got this,” she told me.
I peered sidelong at her. “You’ve known him long?”
A blush rushed to her cheeks, and I wanted to reach out and punch her for some reason.
“Only my whole life.” The way she said it was like she was staking her claim.
She loved him, and it kind of killed me in that moment. I liked Anika—I wanted to hate her but dammit she was cool. Dark hair, mysterious badass vibe going on. I knew I couldn’t have Kohen, no matter what his vision showed him, but I didn’t want him to have anyone else either.
I quickly peeked behind me just in time to see Tetra climb onto Ariyel’s back. I faced forward in shock.
He did it. He got my stubborn-ass best friend to do something that was good for her. It was a miracle.
In no time, they caught up to us and I peered at my best friend. That permanent pain wince was gone from her face. She looked relieved but also slightly embarrassed. Her small form fit perfectly onto her wolf, though her legs dangled awkwardly, so she tucked them up. She’d need a saddle eventually.
“Looking good, T.” I gave her a smile.
She glared at Kohen. “An order is an order.”
“Yep.” He popped the P and glanced at me.
I’ll be damned. Kohen Badshah was right about something.
We walkedin silence for about an hour. The terrain got rough, wrapping around the mountain to a sharp cliff, and then we had to head east to avoid falling off of it. It was slow going with the injured, and I was glad to see a few others riding on their creatures as well.
Kohen would intermittently talk with Summer and check that we were heading the right way.
When we stopped for a break, Anika reached into her pack and I could see the panic flare in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Kohen asked her.
Her chest heaved. “I must have lost it when the train derailed.”
