Empire of Night (Age of Legends 2)

He raised his hand, and in it she saw his sword. She pulled back her dagger, but he was too close for her to throw it. Then his blade was at her throat.

Fury and rage surged, so hot and sudden that for a moment, she thought he'd driven that blade into her throat.

"You tricked me."

"I'm only trying--"

"You would do and say anything to keep me from escaping."

"No, Moria. I would do and say anything to keep you from running back to the imperial city and being branded a traitor. But what I said is true and--"

A black shape dropped from above, knocking Gavril away, his sword swinging on the new target, only to see what he was aiming at and stop short. Daigo stood between them, his yellow eyes fixed on Gavril, his fur on end as he snarled. Moria stared.

Was she asleep? First, she'd escaped with ease. Then Gavril had told her he didn't help massacre her village. Now Daigo was here, improbably and impossibly. She was dreaming. She must be.

"Daigo . . ." Gavril said, his voice low. "I wasn't trying to hurt her."

"No, you only had a blade at my throat."

"Because it's the only blasted way to stop you from racing off to your death. Daigo--"

"He's a beast. He doesn't understand you."

"He understands me as well as you do, and listens as well, too, which is somewhere between a little and none at all. I'm no threat to her, Daigo. I never was. But she cannot leave--"

Moria ran for the barrier. Behind her, Gavril let out a soft shout and Daigo answered with a snarl, and she glanced back, dagger raised, ready to throw it if he had his blade drawn on her wildcat, but they only faced off, Daigo blocking his way, Gavril gripping his sword at his side and snarling something back at the wildcat.

Moria reached the barrier. She leaped onto it easily, swinging herself up until she was on the top. Then she turned.

"Daigo!" she called as loudly as she dared.

The wildcat wheeled and ran toward her. Gavril did, too, sword still in hand, falling steadily behind as Daigo raced full-out.

"Don't do this, Keeper," Gavril called.

"I'll remember what you said, and I'll not present myself at court until I know the truth."

"It doesn't matter. You're still in danger. If you're out there, they'll find--"

She jumped down as Daigo sailed clear over the barrier.

"Keeper!" Gavril said from the other side, still running, footsteps pounding. "Moria! Do not do this."

She looked out at the forest. Then she ran toward it with Daigo at her side, Gavril calling behind her until she was too far away to hear him.

FORTY-FOUR

Moria ran through the forest following Daigo, leaping over logs and skirting fallen trees until she ran right into him as he stood there, peering into the darkness. He stayed stock-still, only his tufted ears moving, pivoting until he heard what he was searching for--the sound of pursuit, she presumed. Then he took off again. She managed to keep pace until she heard the sound of running footfalls and stopped short. They were heading toward the footfalls.

"Daigo . . ."

He stopped.

"I hope you know who that is," she said.

He hu

ffed, as if offended she'd question him. Moria still lifted her dagger, poised, watching in the direction of the footfalls until a cloaked figure appeared. It peered into the darkness.