He was documenting the raided bunkers on it." "It's incomplete." Sven places his hands around my waist and draws me to him. "What if The Ghost's real agenda is to take revenge on you for letting Rummy go?" I look up into Sven's amber eyes, a dizzying array of emotions arresting my senses. It's the first time he's touched me since we arrived back at the city. There's nothing to keep us apart anymore, but we're wading into unknown waters. I suck in a breath as I listen to the thud of Sven's powerful heart beating next to mine. This is real. And it scares me. I want to be with him, but I can't bear the thought of watching him ossify one day soon. "Maybe I'm kidding myself to think I can trust The Ghost," I say. "But he came through for us in the Craniopolis. He deserves a chance." Sven lets his hands slide from my waist and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. My skin tingles where he touched me. I shake off the feeling, reminding myself that he has an expiration date, which is a good reason not to get attached. I've lost too many people already. "I need to pick Tucker up from Jerome's office on my way back to the riders' barn," I say. "I'll grab that map just in case The Ghost's a no-show when the search party is ready to head out in the morning." Sven nods. "I'll help Jerome escort the deviations back to their accommodations."
J akob is back from his shift at the clinic and fast asleep by the time Tucker and I reach the riders' barn. Tucker immediately trots off to find Big Ed and curl up with him. I toss my pack down and prod Jakob awake. He props himself up on one elbow when he sees me. "How was the meeting?" he asks, rubbing his eyes. I grimace. "Jury's out. No one seems that interested in building a community together. Some of the Undergrounders want to leave, they're scared of the Rogues and freaked out by the clones and deviations. The clones aren't all that excited to be here, even though they promised to help rebuild the city. The deviations are freaked out by the horses. And that offends the riders." I let out a heavy sigh. "And The Ghost's still obsessed with finding Rummy and carving him up." Jakob frowns. "It takes time to build trust. You're expecting too much from everyone too soon." "Maybe." I stifle a yawn. "We'll see what tomorrow brings. I think I managed to talk everyone off the ledge for tonight at least. Go back to sleep. I'll check on Big Ed." Before Jakob can respond, the wooden door to the barn swings wide and Jody bursts through, eyes half-crazed like flickering bulbs.
2 " T hey've gone !" Jody gasps, leaning on the doorframe. I jerk to my feet, adrenaline flooding my veins. "Who?" "The Rogues!" Her face tightens with grief. "They've taken the horses and fled the city." I stare at her in disbelief. After the way the meeting went I wouldn't have been surprised if the homesteaders had packed up and gone. But the Rogues? My heart squeezes in my chest. The broken look on Jody's face is enough to tell me the Rogues have taken Condor too. I pick up my pack and swing it over my shoulder. "We'll go after them. They won't get far," I reassure her. "They don't know the first thing about riding horses." "Most of them will be on foot anyway," Jakob adds, reaching down for his boots. "If anything happens to Condor–" Jody's voice chokes as she shoves the barn door wide and strides back out, her thick ponytail swishing behind her. I swallow hard. It's not difficult to imagine what she's going through. Just the thought of the Rogues taking Tucker away from me is enough to make my skin crawl. We have to move quickly. Knowing the disdain The Ghost has for any life but his own, he won't hesitate to put a bullet in a horse. As for Blade, I don't even want to think about what he'll do to a spirited steed that refuses to cooperate. I shrug my jacket on, sick to my stomach. I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for those horses. They're heroes like any one of us. No matter the risk, I'll do