No matter how hard I try, it’s almost impossible to move with much speed. Weaving in and out of the trees isn’t easy and the cold brushes I receive from the bark when I inadvertently touch some of them make me stumble several times.
The closer I get, the more anguished the screeching seems to be. It sets my teeth on edge and I feel the goosebumps on my skin. But those sensations are nothing compared to the steel hand that grips my heart when the screaming stops abruptly.
I catch up with Dante. He’s standing in a clearing, his arms loosely by his sides and his gaze fixed on the ground.
‘What is it?’ I ask, breathing heavily.
He doesn’t answer so I crouch down to take a closer look. I draw back, then I lean down and gingerly prod the dark streak. I sniff my fingers – and my fears are confirmed.
‘Blood.’ There’s a trail of it for a few feet across the forest floor before it disappears. ‘There’s not a lot,’ I say quietly. ‘That’s something at least.’
Dante still doesn’t speak. I’m about to stand up when something catches my eye. I hiss softly and pick it up, twirling it in my fingers: it’s a small piece of frayed rope. I hold it up so Dante can see it. His expression turns even grimmer.
‘Are there other creatures in this forest besides the mares?’
He shakes his head.
‘Do other Travellers come here?’
‘Rarely.’
I think of the cowboy I saw him with the first night. ‘What about your friend? The one who was able to control when he left?’
‘Rob? No, he sticks to the other side of the woods when he ventures in. Anyway, I’ve not seen him for several nights. He’s probably staying in town.’
‘Would an outlier...?’ I don’t finish my question; I can already see Dante’s eyes telling me no. ‘So the only thing that makes any sense is that another Traveller was here.’ My fingers tighten round the scrap of hemp. ‘And they were here to hurt and capture a mare.’
He turns away. ‘So it would seem.’
There’s a painful lump in my throat. ‘Why would someone do that?’
‘Because they want the same kind of power that you have.’ His voice hardens. ‘Or that you say you have.’
I frown. ‘Eh?’
He doesn’t answer me. Confound the man and his enigmatic statements. But there are more important things to worry about. ‘We might be able to catch up to them.’ I point at the ground. ‘There’s still enough of a trail to follow and they’ll be moving slowly because they’ll have the mare with them.’
‘Zoe, there’s not just one person doing this, there will be several. What are you planning to do if you find them? Scowl at them till they give in?’
‘It’s better than doing nothing!’ I stride off. I barely make it three feet, however, when I’m halted in my tracks by the sound of slow clapping.
‘Well, I have to say,’ Dante drawls, ‘the Mayor has outdone himself this time.’
I spin round, eyes narrowed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Just how long has he been keeping you hidden away? It must have been years.’ He glances down at the blood then back to me. ‘I guess he’s finally putting his big plan into action.’
‘Dante, I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘Right. You just happen to be the first dreamweaver we’ve had in over a century. You just happen to show up now, when mares are being abducted. You just happen to let me know about it by telling me about the traps. Nicely played. Unfortunately for you and the Mayor, it’s not enough. I’ve seen through you.’
‘I really don’t know what you mean,’ I say helplessly.
‘I knew you were too good to be true. Big blue eyes, cute freckles ... he really went to town. Well, you might have fooled me for a while, sweetheart, but the game’s up.’ His mouth twists. ‘You’d better tell the Mayor that he’s playing a dangerous game by involving the mares. They’re wild animals.’ His eyes darken even further. ‘I suppose that was part of the plan, was it? Pretend to tame one of them and use it to make me think I could trust you? Call it Pegasus so I’d think you’re some kind of goddess here to help?’
I’m stunned into silence. Dante takes a step towards me and I’m frozen, terrified by what he might do. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so angry – and all his rage is directed at me. He balls up his fists and snarls then, before I can find my voice, he stares upwards at the black canopy of leaves and vanishes. I’m left alone, blood by my feet, silence all around me and a gnawing chasm deep inside me.
Angry tears fill my eyes and I grit my teeth. What a bastard. He gave me no chance to explain myself. He’s concocted some bizarre conspiracy theory because he’s Billy-no-mates. I know a lot of people in the real world think I’m weird and crazy but how dare he treat me like I’m a criminal? I should have shouted back at him, told him exactly what I think of him. I should have told him to fuck right off.
I straighten my shoulders. What I deal with in the real world is far worse than what Dante can do to me. I sniff loudly and spin round. I’m going to find that mare and show him I’m not the person he thinks I am. I’ll rub his face in the truth.