Dark Angel (Casteel 2)

r /> in the storm that's coming."

Patiently his tethered mount waited while Troy

lifted me up and sat me before him on the saddle. I

felt mean and spiteful as he swung up to sit behind

me, guiding his mount skillfully, even as he put his

free arm about my waist protectively.

"It's already raining."

"I know that."

"We'll never make it back to the house before

the storm strikes in full force."

"I suspect we won't. That's why I'm heading for

an old abandoned barn that used to store the grains

earlier Tattertons grew."

"You mean your ancestors knew how to do

something besides make toys?"

"I suspect everyone's ancestors had more than

one skill,"

"Yours, I'm sure, had servants to do all the

farming."

"You are probably right. However, it takes

some talent to make the money to pay tenant farmers." "It takes more than talent to survive in the

wilderness."

"Touche. Now keep quiet and let me get my

bearings." He brushed his wet hair from his forehead,

looked around, then turned his horse eastward. Black thunderclouds blew in from the

southwest, soon followed by sizzling bolts of

lightning, and despite my will to escape him, it felt

good to have his arm about me, holding me secure as

the barn came finally into sight.

It smelled old and sour in the dilapidated