Free Web NovelChapter 49: Chapter 49
Riley’s POV
I am outside with them now, just like they wanted. The air feels colder out here, sharper against my skin, and the sky looks darker than it should for this time of day.
I am leaving with them, going back to Obsidian Veil.
I walk beside them, my steps slow at first, my mind still trying to catch up with everything that is happening. Just hours ago I was fighting for my life in a boardroom. Now I am following three men who are not really men.
I turn my head toward Caden because there is something that has been bothering me badly. "What about the company?" I ask him, my voice low but urgent. "No one is going to take care of it if I leave like this."
Caden looks at me and gives a small nod, like he already expected the question. "Don’t worry," he says calmly. "We’ve already taken care of that. Someone competent is in charge until you return."
That eases something tight in my chest. Not completely, but enough for me to breathe a little better.
Earlier, I had been terrified of them. It was not just fear; It felt like if any of them touched me, it would burn straight through me. But now, that feeling is gone. I feel almost normal again, like my body has settled.
Almost.
My wrist itches again. I glance down and my breath catches. The redness has formed a clear circle now, neat and defined, wrapping around my wrist like a bracelet. I
I swallow hard and pull my sleeve down, pretending I do not see it.
Outside, several bikes are parked neatly in a line. Big, heavy bikes that look powerful and fast. I stop walking without realizing it. I stare at them, confused.
I suddenly remember something. These people are bikers. I know that. I have heard stories, seen hints of it. But I have never actually seen them ride.
Cane, Caden, and Gunnar move toward the bikes without hesitation. Gunnar swings onto his with ease. Caden does the same. Cane pauses when he notices I am still standing there.
I look at the bikes again, then at them. My heart starts pounding. I have no idea whose bike I am supposed to get on, or if I should even get on one at all.
Before I can say anything, Cane walks back toward me. freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Hey—" I start, but he does not let me finish.
He grabs me suddenly, one arm wrapping around my waist, and lifts me clean off the ground like I weigh nothing. I gasp in shock as he drops me onto the back seat of his own bike.
"Hold on tight," he says over his shoulder. "I’m not going to ride easy."
I nod quickly, fear gripping me hard now. My hands slide around his waist, and I cling to him as the engine roars to life beneath us.
Then we take off.
"Oh God," I gasp as the bike surges forward.
The speed hits me instantly, so fast it feels unreal. The wind slams against my face and body, stealing my breath. My stomach flips as the ground blurs beneath us. It feels like we are flying, not riding.
Cane was not exaggerating when he said I should hold tight.
I press myself against his back, holding him tighter than I ever have, my fingers digging into his jacket. I do not even know if he can see the road at this speed. The world becomes a rush of noise and motion and fear.
After few minutes, the bike slows.
My heart is still racing when we finally come to a stop. I lift my head slowly and look around.
The woods.
My chest tightens as recognition hits me. This is the same route. The same path their driver took me through before. The trees are thick and tall, blocking out most of the light.
Memories flash through my mind at once.
I swallow hard and speak before I can stop myself. "I hope I’m not going to be attacked by those wolves again," I say nervously. "The mane sisters or whatever they’re called."
Cane lets out a low smirk. "Are you scared?" he asks.
I stare at him like the answer should be obvious. "Of course I am," I say. "Shouldn’t I be? I didn’t even know a place like this existed in Crescent Hollow."
He turns serious suddenly. He slows to a halt and looks at me fully now. "If you go beyond this part of crescent hollow," he says firmly, "you’re going to encounter rogues."
My stomach sinks.
"Rogues," he continues. "Mountain Dires. Wild Ravens. Blood Tithers."
Each word makes my chest feel tighter.
"So listen to me carefully," he says, his voice low and dangerous. "Whatever happens in your entire life, never stroll past Obsidian Veil. Not for escape. Not for safety. Never."
A cold dread crawls up my spine.
"What?," I whisper. "What the hell are those things?"
He does not answer.
We get off the bikes and start walking deeper into the woods. The ground crunches softly beneath our feet. Every sound feels louder here. Every shadow feels like it is hiding something.
We have not gone far when I hear it.
A faint twitch.
My body reacts before my mind does. All of us turn at once, spinning toward the sound.
"Someone is following us," Caden says, his voice sharp and alert.
My heart jumps into my throat.
Cane’s posture changes instantly. His shoulders tense, his eyes darken. "They might have sensed her," he says, glancing at me briefly. "But whoever it is, may the gods have mercy on them before I rip their damn heads off."
My breath comes fast and shallow. I feel exposed, like a target.
Then it happens.
Something lunges from behind us.
I feel it before I see it, a rush of danger that makes my skin prickle. I spin around just in time to see a creature flying straight toward me.
My eyes widen in pure terror.
It is fast. Too fast.
I do not even have time to scream.
Before it can reach me, there is a violent blur of movement. A force slams into the creature midair.
The sound is sickening.
The creature splits apart in front of my eyes.
I stumble back, my heart pounding so hard it hurts. My hands fly to my mouth as I stare in shock.
The pieces hit the ground. freewebnøvel.com
Silence follows.
I stare at the remains, my mind struggling to process what I just witnessed. Whatever it was, it is gone now. Destroyed completely.
I look up slowly.
Cane is standing in front of me, his body tense, his breathing heavy. His hands are clenched at his sides, his eyes glowing faintly with that terrifying gold again.
Caden scans the area, alert and focused. Gunnar stands slightly apart, his gaze sharp, his entire body coiled like he is ready to attack again if needed.
"What... what was that?" I whisper, my voice barely there.
"A scout," Caden answers grimly. "And not a friendly one."
My legs feel weak. "It came straight for me."
"Yes," Gunnar says. His eyes meet mine. "And it split into pieces before we could act"
My wrist pulses hard, the circle burning against my skin.
Fear floods me completely now.
"Was it me? Did I do it?" I ask, my voice breaking. " Did I kill the damn scout?"
