The sun hung low behind us, bleeding orange across the sky and turning the tall grass to fire. Every hoof step was muffled in dust, dry and silent. We'd pushed longer than I liked. A little further, I told myself. Just over that ridge.
I really wasn't used to riding this distance, or any distance at all, really, and my inner thighs and ass were screaming at me to stop.
Shi Yaozu rode beside me, his head turning slowly from side to side, reading the terrain. He didn't speak much—not anymore. Not unless I made him. And I didn't mind the silence.
What I minded was the calm.
It had stretched too long. Even the birds were quiet.
Then the horses reared.
My mare jolted under me, letting out a frantic snort and dancing sideways. Shi Yaozu's mount reared with a sharp cry, his hooves striking at the air, and I twisted the reins before mine could bolt. I was already drawing breath to curse when I saw what had done it.
Shadow stood between us.
