Sudden Backtrack
Page 1

Thats not Peth. Thats Kalla. The hunters name slipped from Gally with an oily hatred, hot and simmering, just below the point of ignition. His hand clenched until the scars pulled, and Newt, standing beside him under the moonlit, fog-coated trees in the ever-after, turned with a smirk on her hunger-gaunt face.
You didnt really believe theyd give us the courtesy of a conversation, did you?
Yes. Yes, I did.
A flash of fond pity crossed her red, goat-slitted eyes. Theyll never live up to your ideals, Gally. Their nobility is an ugly mask.
Indignant, he stared at her. I dont call them noble. Theyre animals. Only animals can do the things they do. Thats why theyd tried to kill them in the first placeand failed, failed miserably because of an ill-placed trust in a dream called the Goddess. There was no Goddess. Nothing could be that cruel.
And yet you expect them to hold to their word. They still have a veil before your eyes, Gally. Break it. See them for what they are.
He knew what they were, and rubbing the tip of his severed thumb, he turned away, sending a questing thought out to find the six, no seven, other souls circling them, readying a trap. Thats all Kalla was here for, really, a margin of profit and a measure of respect for having recaptured Newt for the auction block.
Well aware of it, Newt tugged the sleeves of her red robe down to hide the scar tissue around her thin wrists. It was Dalis robe, and he was a great deal thinner and shorter than she, but Newt had been on the run the longest and her robe was threadbare, an embarrassment when trying to convince the Goddesss chosen that the demons had a right to freedom.
Fair and slim, Kalla waited beside the small fire with the confidence born of unaltered success. He was the elves best slaver, and theyd all felt the pain of his magic snuffing theirs. It took but a word to sunder their hold on the lines and make them helpless, and it was hard for Gally to stand even this close. But talk was not what they were here for, either.
How much longer will you make him wait? he asked, and Newts smile became sly.
His men are not yet in position. If they arent close enough, the curse will act on Kalla alone. The more who take it up, the faster it will spread. A moment more.
Grimacing, Gally fidgeted. The scent of Kallas breakfast made his stomach scrape his backbone. Food and clean clothes waited if hed walk forward with his head bowed and his hand extended for a slaver ring. The beating for having killed his master would be a momentary indignity, all too soon lost behind Yes, Sahan. Of course, Sahan. The pain of being sundered from the lines would grow until hed relish the chance to do someone elses bidding if only to ease the ache for a moment. The lines were power, but the demons would never travel them again. It had almost killed them, to anindividual, the last time theyd tried.
But as Kalla tossed the scraps of his meal to his dogs, Gally recalled the feel of the elfs foot on his neck and his utter disregard. They were circling even now to capture them, and it took all his fortitude to remain where he was. Hed not leave Newt to deliver their curse alone. He would witness her success or failure. Otherwise, for at least a hundred years they wouldnt know if it worked.
I told you I could do this alone, she said as if reading his mind.
With five of us, he began.
There would be five of us dead, she interrupted.
But why you! he protested, voice hushed but intent. We all know the curse. We helped you spin it. It will kill you if you invoke it alone. At least let me help.
Her narrow chin lifted, and her short red hair flared out like a mane. No, she said shortly. If its fated to kill the one who spins it, then Ill be the one to pay the cost. Its my idea, and I can do more as a martyr anyway. Her red eyes fell from his, failing to hide the sheen of fear. Its time. Tell Dali thank you for the robe. At least I will die well dressed.
Well dressed. It was rags, and they both knew it. Newt, he said, drawing her to a stop before she could take a step. Were only five. Dont make us four when we can form a collective to do it together and all survive.
But she was resolute and pulled from his grip. The Goddess demands payment, she said, eyes flicking to the fire where Kalla had begun to pose impatiently. I do this, or we live and die as playthings.
Goddess. There was no Goddess; he clenched his hands until his nails left dents.
Thank you for standing with me, she whispered, her gentle fingers opening his fist and stretching his hand across hers. They never would have agreed to this if you werent here to give sanction to a dialogue. But when I fall, run. You will need every second to slip Kallas snare. Hes very good at what he does.
Newt . . .
Promise me. Dont let your pride make our number fall to three.
Gallys breath slipped from him in resignation, his grip on the ley lines tightening until the tips of his hair began to float. I wont leave you to him.
But he started when she turned his hand over and rubbed the indentation where the slaver ring had been two years ago. It lingered still, the burn having scarred him forever. They cursed our children from us, Gally. We are things to be bought and sold as if we have no soul. Beneath their noble airs and words is nothing but black, old blood, soured and rotting. This is a chance, your only chance, to get Celfnnah back. She suffers for you, believing youll find a way. She loves you, even now. Promise me you will run.