The trail just ahead of the outpost was essentially the first real bit of tarmac the caravan had used in the better part of four days, and Audas could almost sigh with relief at the smooth ride as the quad bikes raced down the road. With that section still in good condition, it didn’t take long before they found themselves slowing down at a fork in that road. One led off towards the north, and another towards the east.

  At the head of the group, Reyes motioned towards the northern path, “Dray, Dori, that’s all yours. We’ll meet back here in an hour; you still have that radio Dray?”

  “I do.” Dray replied with a thumbs up, “We’ll let you know if something is up. Stay safe.”

  “Yeah.” Dorian said woodenly, “Safe.”

  He could tell Dorian was directing that towards Reyes alone, judging by the fierce glare that he sent burning into Audas before he moved to follow the librarian. Audas returned a cold stare at Dorian’s back, as with a splutter of engine noise, the two Hubbers shot away. Good, at the very least, Dorian is out of the way.

  A flutter of grey and gold caught Audas’ attention – Reyes waved at him from his quad. “Come on! We’ve got a lot of ground to cover and last I checked, there ain’t any speed cameras!”

  Audas snorted and flashed a smirk. “Right behind you.”

  And with that, the pair raced down the eastern trail. Despite the dangers that lay ahead – that of the potential ambushers lying in wait along the edge of that road – Audas found himself energised, giving the engine a bit more of a rev than he needed to in order to move along the path. Again, the road was in good nick, the air was clean and they had some proper speed on their side. It felt like they might have had an easy time ahead.

  Well. For about two minutes.

  The tarmac just stopped after the first mile, devolving almost instantly into a dusty, bumpy trail through the hills. Audas blinked as dust was thrown up into his eyes whilst also trying to make sure he was still breathing in air. He was thrown about on the machine, struggling to keep the throttle in place and to maintain his speed. Heck, he could feel the quad tipping slightly from side to side, not quite as well set up for a Nyúlfur rider as he thought.

  All the comfort the road had previously offered was gone, and with that moment of relaxation now promptly obliterated, Audas could refocus his attention back onto the task at hand. In between blinks, his gaze flicked from the path – mostly to avoid flying into a boulder or tree – and the edges of the trail, which were either shrouded in tall grass, trees or just a large hill. He searched for any sign that would seem inhuman, hostile. All the while, he worked to try and keep up with Reyes, who flew through the bends as if he were a machine running on a perfect autopilot.

  But nothing emerged from the foliage or over the hilltops, their only company being the faint whisper of the wind and the cry of a raptor in the sky. They continued to weave down a road system that only Reyes seemed able to comprehend, and it only made Audas work harder. He gritted his teeth, redoubling his efforts to simultaneously focus on the road, the surroundings and Reyes himself.

  It was a blessed relief when they finally stopped on top of a shallow hill. Below them were the plains and small clusters of trees that dominated the land surrounding Fort Stark, features that the dirt trails weaved around like fault lines. And every so often was the distinct grey or brown shape of a house, or some other ruined building left abandoned and in decay by its former owner.

  It all felt… conspicuously open. And given by the very look of the Fort itself, with it’s high walls and the bridge pillar that stuck out of the town as a conspicuous blight on the landscape, Audas had a suspicious that was very much intentional. Anyone trying to get up to the Fort would be spotted from miles away, easy.

  Audas gulped down fresh air, and felt the faint tickle in his throat fade away. A small blessing of Nyúlfur biology, he realised. A human would be hacking up the dust right now; he only needed to take a couple of breaths to clear his system out and restore his breathing back to proper order.

  “Figured you needed to get away from Dorian.” Reyes finally said, chugging from a canteen as he leant back on his quad’s seat.

  Audas twitched an ear back, he hadn’t had much in the way of trouble from him after what had happened in Ironhold. But he could swear that his eyes were locked onto him nearly everywhere he turned. Perhaps Reyes noticed that. Oh to hell with it, he knew something was up the moment he saw the pair of us within ten metres of each other.

  He bowed his head towards him, “Thanks.” He replied warmly. Even with the hectic driving, he could feel the tension in his body just drain out at his words.

  “Don’t mention it.” Reyes said. But then, his face went tight, his brow now furrowed. “Audas. I’ve known him for a while, and if he hasn’t got off your tail now, chances are he’s never going to leave you be.”

  Audas frowned, but in practice, he wasn’t at all that surprised at the comment. “I figured as much. He’s been breathing my neck since I arrived.”

  “Then I’ve got to ask.” Reyes started, leaning onto the handlebars of his quad. The golden Nyúlfur’s eyes had narrowed and his ears were stuck straight up. “Are you hiding anything?”

  Audas stiffened, sensing his pupils turn to slits. “What would that achieve?” he asked quietly, trying to scan Reye’s features to gauge his response.

  Even when shrugging, Reyes held his stare, “A lot of things to be honest. Look, I heard you got caught up in some plane crash, and if there is something you want to keep quiet about, there isn’t much anyone can do. You have your right to privacy. But until you actually admit what that ‘secret’ is, Dori’s not going to back down. And that’s going to eventually start rubbing off on the others.”

  The former human looked away with a strained sigh, fixing his gaze back up onto the Rockies that stood beyond the distant Fort Stark. Could Dorian really do that? Drive a wedge in between me and the other Hubbers?

  It was a silly question. He could see the friction from a mile off, every time he and Dorian even got within a few metres of each other, someone had to step in to break them up. And everyone else back at the Hub had known Dorian for far longer than they had he. It might well only be a matter of time before some of them start getting the same idea as Dorian. Peer pressure and all. I doubt Dray and Alika would change their tune just because of him. But I’ve seen enough people get ostracized back in Manchester to know how quickly people can turn on one person.

  An idea began to form in his mind. Maybe I could do a test run? I don’t have to tell him everything, but Reyes doesn’t live at the Hub, so there isn’t much he could do to affect what everyone thinks there. And I could gauge how he responds, use that as a yardstick.

  His ear twitched.

  Alright then. He decided. What have I got to lose?

  He took a shallow breath, “I’ll say this.” Audas said, still watching the mountains. “I… I didn’t come here willingly.”

  Clothing rustled off to one side, “…to Cascadia?” Reyes asked, a little bit higher pitched. Surprised maybe?

  He nodded, “A lot of things happened back home that ruined everything.” Audas puffed out a sigh, “But when I tried to get away, I only ended up in even deeper shit than I thought. The plane… well, I just got lucky when it went down.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Closing his eyes, he tightened his grip on the handlebars. Telling the truth and yet, he did not. Something ambiguous enough that it would leave most guessing for details yet still provide enough information to keep someone from pressing further. He braced himself for the sudden questions, or the sympathies or accusations.

  “…okay.”

  He turned over to the Starkwolf. Reyes was sat up, hands pressed against his thighs and he flicked an ear back as if intrigued. “How deep? Exile?”

  Audas’ lips twisted, pondering a possible answer. “Of a sort… if wrongly accused.” He said, making sure not to rush his answer.

  Reyes slowly nodded, stroking the front of his jaw and looking towards his quad’s small dashboard. Something flashed underneath his fingers, barely registering even with Audas’ enhanced sight.

  Was that… a smile?

  The hand fell away to reveal nothing, “Alright. You made the right call staying quiet about that.” His face relaxed again, “There are quite a few Nyúlfur who’d throw you to the wrong kind of wolves with that kind of record.” Another faint flash of teeth, not a smile this time, “Even if wrongly accused.”

  Audas slowly nodded as he ran through the response, clearly picking up the emphasis at the end of his statement. It was a simple answer to a vague question, but it did clear the air for the former human. So… perhaps it’s probably for the best to stay-

  “Though if you are going to tell someone, do it with a Hubber.” Reyes chimed in, “They’re a lot laxer on exiles, especially from abroad. For better or for worse.”

  He glanced back outward, into the distance. It was a warning… and a bit of advice at the same time. Unable to hide it, a little smile formed on his lips. Reyes’ is doing me a favour here; in theory I could admit to something similar. It might help keep Dorian or anyone who believes him off my back.

  “Thanks for the heads up.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Reyes replied, slipping his canteen away. “Come on, we better get this section of road checked be-“

  His words trailed out into silence. He lurched forward as creases formed across his face. “Shit.” He cursed quietly.

  Audas followed his gaze to a small cut in the hills further ahead, where there was a cluster of trees that formed a ring in a depression between those hills, where the shells of ruined buildings lay at its core. “What is it?” he questioned with a thin gaze.

  “Can’t believe I fucking missed that.” Reyes hissed with clear frustration, “Check the building on the left, on the corner of the crossroad.”

  He focused on the buildings below, around five were arranged around said crossroad in the valley that lay below. One on each corner of the cross and one further back, closer towards them. They were at least a few hundred metres away, a kilometre tops… no, it was definitely a kilometre. Grey walls, blown out windows, a gaping hole in the side of the upper floor of the second structure along, on the nearest left hand corner of that crossroad. There was nothing usual at first glance and he focused down at it more, searching for something, anything that seemed… off…

  As he scanned the edge of the structure, he saw a shape sticking out from its shadow, almost blending against the earthen ground. Even from here, he could have a guess at what it was. An arm…

  “Is that…” Audas started.

  “What are we waiting for?” Reyes questioned sharply, revving his quad’s engine.

  Their vehicles screamed as they raced down the hill in a cloud of dust. Reyes bellowed into a radio, demanding Dorian and Dray come round to their position.

  But Audas didn’t let it get to him, his mind focused on getting down there. Perhaps there was a survivor, or a clue to what had happened.

  They had to be sure.

  The duo crossed the kilometre in a matter of minutes, pulling the quads to a halt just short of the ruins. Any attentive listener or a pair of eyes would have easily seen their approach, but they might as well not barge into an ambush.

  Audas unslung his M4 as he leapt off his quad. Reyes already had an ancient looking AK-47 out, taking point as he approached the buildings. A flick of his hand motioned for Audas to follow.

  Fighting to keep his heartbeat steady, he set off after him, swinging the rifle across the five buildings. They hugged the side of the closest left side building, an old house as they crept forward towards the crossroad. But nothing new sprung out and no sounds reached them. Even the breeze was gone in the shelter of the hills.

  Cautiously, they reached the corner of the second building, directly on the crossroad and Reyes leaned round with the AK tight in his hands. “Clear…”

  “Heard you.” Audas said, voice creeping lower as Reyes stepped out into the crossroad. He followed, still sweeping his weapon as he rounded the corner.

  Sprawled out across the dusty ground, were the bodies of three Nyúlfur.

  Despite his efforts, the heart started to pound and he was unable to tear his gaze away from them. “We… we need to check them.”

  “No shit.” Reyes uttered, “Come on.”

  The Fort Nyúlfur approached the body they saw from the hill, a male Nyúlfur with black fur laid on his back, eyes closed. Audas crept forward to the next, a grey furred Nyúlfur resting on her side with short brown hair, back to him.

  Crouching down, he shook her shoulder. No response.

  Gripping the shoulder, he pulled her over and nearly jumped as her head rolled towards him. A shudder ran down his spine as orange eyes stared blankly back up at him.

  Audas stiffened, unable to tear his eyes away from her own lifeless ones. Something was caught in his throat, yanking his jaws shut. He had seen bodies before, h-

  Then he realised what was catching him out.

  It was the first time he had seen a Nyúlfur corpse. Even in Britain, he never saw any of the wolves dead.

  He finally tore his gaze away, his mind in turmoil. I… I would be celebrating once…

  Afterall, Nyúlfur had waged war on humanity to little cost to themselves. It brought with it an air of invincibility. But not here. He had never expected, even now to find himself… so empty.

  Still just mortal. He sadly noted.

  “Audas!” Reyes hissed, “Is she okay?”

  Turning back towards the body, he reached out and with a delicate movement, closed her eyes. “She’s gone.” He ran his gaze across her body, spotting the small red circles across her chest, one resting directly above where her heart was, staining her t-shirt. Her arms were sliced with thin, deep wounds with blood seeping into her fur. “Shot to the heart got her… but she’s been mauled… and recently.”

  “Same with this one here. Check the last one, I’m going to work out who these guys were.”

  Without turning, Audas nodded and rose back to his feet, stepping over the body of the dead Nyúlfur and readying the M4, approached the third traveller, resting on his front.

  That was when he had heard the cough. He lunged forward, moving to grab hold of him. “Easy!” he whispered, pulling the Nyúlfur over.

  Only to freeze.

  The Nyúlfur coughed again, blue eyes flicking open. His fur was white, with green and brown combat fatigues pressed against his body. Blood was still staining the fabric.

  “No shit!”

  It can’t be…

  “Boss’ orders!”

  The white wolf’s eyes sharpened, fixed on the former human, face constricted… and a pained but vicious smirk forming on his lips. Even before he spoke Audas knew who he was… what he had done. His mind went back… the white furred Nyúlfur, accompanying the golden female and her wounded companion, shot in the throat as they clambered back onto the helicopter.

  He’s from the train! Back in Birmingham!

  “S-So… you d-didn’t die…” the white-furred Nyúlfur croaked, weak but still laced with venom. “R-Remember me? Back on t-that train?”

  Instinct took over, and Audas’ lips peeled back as the growl simmered though. “Yes.”

  Wheezing, the enemy’s smirk got wider. “So w-what does i-i-it feel like?” he asked. “Being one of us?”

  Audas leaned forward, the bared teeth devolving to a snarl, “What are you doing here?” he rumbled. “Trying to ruin some more lives?”

  The smirk vanished as the wounded figure bit on his lips, a hand drifting towards the ever-growing pool of blood in his gut. Audas noted other pools across his chest. Even a Nyúlfur might not last for long after being hit by full bore rounds like those he suspected.

  “You know… I w-was… g-going to trade… then I was g-going to a trial… but my f-f…” he coughed again, fainter this time as his eyes drifted behind Audas. Towards the other bodies. Reyes hadn’t looking, his back was turned as he patted down the first body with one hand, holding a set of green headphones in place with the other. “My f-friends and I got ambushed… s-s-smart little bastards. Y-You could learn a thing abo-“

  Audas’ hand snapped round his collar, a strangled yelp barely rung out as he yanked the murderer up to him. “Where is Travis?” he demanded quietly, his chest burning, “What about Hagen? Their forces?” He shook him hard, close enough now he could clamp his jaws down on the bastard if he wanted too. “Tell me what you know!”

  The Nyúlfur spat at the earth, eyes lighting up. “Fuck you ape… y-you s-should be gre-atful…”

  “For fucks sake! Where are they?!”

  Blue eyes looked up to the sky, “Spirits! A-at l-least my f-friends w-won’t be… won’t be…”

  He slumped backwards, head dropping round towards him… his eyes now dark.

  Audas blinked, shaking as he released his breath. He stared at the corpse he held up by his top, fist clenched into a ball. Damn it…

  “Audas! Is he alive?”

  He glanced over his shoulder to find Reyes lowering the earphones from his head, where a faint squark of noise emerged from the device. He… he didn’t hear me, right? No… he would have come over. Must have been trying to work out what was cranking out of that headset.

  Simmering with left over rage, and yet with a sense of… emptiness, Audas lowered the dead Nyúlfur back to the ground, eyes drifting towards the corpse’s clenched hand… a radio held within. “No… we’re too late.”

  Something rustled behind him, “Shit…” Reyes uttered. “Looks like they didn’t have a chance… and I can’t find any ID either. We’ll have to-fuck!”

  The scream pounded his ears as he spun round. Reyes was on his back, squirming as the wolfen beast tried to clamp its jaws down on his neck.

  And just as the second came flying towards Audas.