Part 52 (1/2)
We had co it, Ballard with his co about the total lack of anythingit et there; we spoke very little Stromovka was everywhere The place of trees
Stillall day I couldn't stop thinking about the grey wolf; for some reason, now that I knehat it was, I couldn't tell Ballard, who continued to be on edge I couldn't think why?
Ourthe trail Somebody had been here I supposed it was like Faith, and that eventually ould all get to wherever ere headed Sht
”I can't take it anys I'm tired of it! And the trees!”
For fourteen hours, we alternately rode and walked the forest floor The last chugs of the Gaone In Ballard's motorcycle as well
He crumpled, and then picked hi our bikes two o anyal supper Night, rich and thick, clotted our eyesight The taste of beans was little more than a reprieve froan finally to despair
”I',” said Ballard ”It's over”
When, suddenly, ertips was backlike preertips, one for each digit The last thing I had seen was the rey wolf, which see away But nowelse out there
”Ballard Ballard Ballard” I repeated in the dark I feltto him three times It was like I was all alone
I looked at the flickering flaues of which had been allowed to fade during the night The sky was a dull leaden color, like lead in pencil When I realized: sky! We were on the edge of an opening ”Ballard!” I shouted nobody answered At least not who I thought would answer
He appeared He appeared so suddenly and silently, at first I didn't recognize hi fro to strike He slithered fro light Is that what this is? I thought A warning sign?
The hunter stood at the edge of the forest, sniffing as the grey wolf had done; instead of protecting me, however, the intent of the hunter could not be denied He had coht
”Your friend, where is he?” he said His voice hissed and rasped like it hadn't been used in a long time
I looked and saw histhorns No Virtue was ever shaped like that What was he?
”I-I don't knohere he is,” I said ”He's gone He left” I gulped, appreciating the truth of my words
I couldn't keep the note of hysteria out of my voice; I was all alone Still, there was no reason Ballard should die with oing But where was Ballard, and as he doing?
”His motorcycle is still here,” said the hunter shrewdly He threw his neck back and sniffed the air; I could hear the powerful inhalations of breath ”I cannot descry his scent I have been tracking you four dayssince Italy, when you foolishly crossed froh to lock him down My Master will be lint in his eye was nothing next to his teeth: sharp points which sparkled in the glooelic face, before it turnedhis mind
”That does not work on ori The last of my kindas are you”
”W-What do you want?” I said ”Why are you trying to hurt ?” He shook his head ”As if you could stop ht Witch- and Wizard-shi+fters couldn't be,” I said
”There hasn't been one in over a hundred years, I admit Surely you have heard of Rhea Silva She was a powerful witch, before I killed her”
He stepped into the s ”Nowabout us” he said
I could just see a sickle of the moon, overhead
”Why are you after me? Why can I see you in ravediggers trying to bury you?” I said
Must keep hi
”My master told me you were special,” he said ”At leastpotentially”
”What does that even et away from him”
Ballard was backhe stepped under the tree I was still in et out of it, while he stepped between us Even though Ballard had undergone a growth spurt, he was nowhere near the size of the Grigori, as seven feet tall and bristling with rage
”Things have changed, Rayven,” said Ballard ”Tell your ic, Ballard Be careful,” I said
I putstick At least I had a weapon
The hunter shi+fted his footing
I knew from premonition what came next, but it seemed impossible His eyes were on me; I knew that look; I had seen it before What had Ballard called him? Rayven? Why were he and Marek so interested in ht
As if on cue, the aether in ht
”Youfast, ”but you are in danger”
Rayven s in the distance Voices drawing near Ballard looked at the hunter ”Last chance,” he said
It happened
The hunter crept forward in a stalkingthem at me ”The witch is mine,” he said
”Don't worry, Halls,” Ballard said to