P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast by Hunted

Author:Hunted [Hunted]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Social Issues, Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, Science Fiction; Fantasy; Magic, General, Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12), Social Issues - General, Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction, Love & Romance, Children's Books
ISBN: 9780606143851
Publisher: San Val, Incorporated
Published: 2010-08-15T05:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Darius was the first of us out of the vehicle. His face was set in expressionless lines so that he looked strong and confident, but entirely unreadable. He ignored the Raven Mockers, who were staring at him with their terrible eyes, and addressed the warrior in the center of the group.

“Greetings, Aristos,” Darius said. Though he clenched his fist over his heart in a quick salute, I noticed Darius did not bow. “I have several fledglings, including a young priestess, with me. The priestess has been severely wounded and is in need of immediate medical attention.”

Before Aristos could respond, the largest of the Raven Mockers cocked its head to the side and said, “Which priestess returns to the House of Night?”

Even inside the Hummer I shivered hearing the creature’s voice. This one sounded more human than the one that had attacked me, but that made it even more frightening.

Slowly and deliberately Darius shifted his attention from Aristos to the horrible creature who was neither bird nor man, but a mutated mixture of both. “Creature, I do not know you.”

The Raven Mocker narrowed its red eyes at Darius. “Son of man, you may call me Rephaim.”

Darius didn’t blink. “I still do not know you.”

“You will know me,” Rephaim hissed, opening his beak so that I could see into his maw.

Darius ignored the creature and addressed Aristos again. “I have a priestess who has been badly wounded and several fledglings who are in need of rest. Will you allow us to pass?”

“Is it Zoey Redbird? Do you have her with you?” Aristos asked.

Every one of the Raven Mockers reacted to my name. Each of them turned their attention from Darius to our Hummer. Wings ruffling and abnormal limbs twitching with subdued energy, the things stared. I’d never been so glad for tinted windows in my life.

“It is.” Darius’s response was clipped. “Will you let us pass?” he repeated.

“Of course,” Aristos said. “All fledglings have been ordered to return to campus.” He gestured toward the school buildings. The movement briefly allowed the side of his neck to be illuminated by the nearest gaslight, and I saw a thin red line running across his skin, as if his neck had recently been injured.

Darius nodded tersely. “I will carry the priestess to the infirmary. She cannot walk.”

Darius had started to return to the vehicle when Rephaim said, “Is the Red One with you?”

Darius glanced back at him. “I do not know what you mean by the Red One,” he said blandly.

In an instant Rephaim had spread his massive black wings and leaped on the hood of the Hummer. The crackling of the metal denting under his weight was drowned out by the collective hissing of the agitated cats. Rephaim perched there, human hands curled into claws, lurking over Darius. “Do not lie to me, ssssson of man! You know I sssspeak of the red vampyre!” As his temper spiked, his voice became less human.

“Get ready to call your elements,” I said, trying

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