Secrets of the Valley Read online

  Secrets

  of the

  Valley

  Sequel to

  Hunted in the Valley

  Old Sequoia Valley Series

  C.R. PUGH

  Copyright © 2019 C.R. Pugh

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 9781795122146

  BOBBY -

  I could never have done it without you

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Map of Esperanza

  Chapter One – Thorne

  Chapter Two – Ravyn

  Chapter Three – Thorne

  Chapter Four – Ravyn

  Chapter Five – Thorne

  Chapter Six – Ravyn

  Chapter Seven – Thorne

  Chapter Eight – Ravyn

  Chapter Nine – Thorne

  Chapter Ten – Ravyn

  Chapter Eleven – Thorne

  Chapter Twelve – Ravyn

  Chapter Thirteen – Thorne

  Chapter Fourteen – Ravyn

  Chapter Fifteen – Thorne

  Chapter Sixteen – Ravyn

  Chapter Seventeen – Thorne

  Chapter Eighteen – Ravyn

  Chapter Nineteen – Thorne

  Chapter Twenty – Ravyn

  Chapter Twenty-one – Thorne

  Chapter Twenty-two – Ravyn

  Chapter Twenty-three – Thorne

  Chapter Twenty-four – Ravyn

  Chapter Twenty-five – Thorne

  Chapter Twenty-six – Ravyn

  Chapter Twenty-seven – Thorne

  Chapter Twenty-eight – Ravyn

  Chapter Twenty-nine – Thorne

  Chapter Thirty – Ravyn

  Chapter Thirty-one – Thorne

  Chapter Thirty-two – Ravyn

  Chapter Thirty-three – Thorne

  Chapter Thirty-four – Ravyn

  Chapter Thirty-five – Thorne

  Chapter Thirty-six – Ravyn

  Chapter Thirty-seven – Thorne

  Chapter Thirty-eight – Ravyn

  Chapter Thirty-nine – Thorne

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  General Wolfe’s

  Map of Esperanza

  1

  Thorne

  My body felt heavy, with an unusual tightness in my belly that ached with every breath. A cool breeze swept across my face and shoulders, bringing with it the smell of roasting mutton and a hint of burning leaves. All was quiet, as if the hunt had never happened.

  But there was something troubling me. My memories were hazy. I could only catch glimpses of the sounds of battle and snarling beasts. A dark angel had been speaking to me, begging me to live.

  Once I had forced my eyelids to open, the first thing I noticed were blue drapes fluttering around the open window to my right. The walls of the room were painted a soft beige. A dark mahogany wood table and two matching chairs had been placed in the corner near the window. An armoire, made of the same mahogany, stood against the wall to my left. I recognized the furniture immediately. Gunter’s father had built every piece. The hardwood floor was covered with a brown fur rug, much like the ones I had used in my tent out on the hunt.

  I was inside Peton, but this was not my home in the mountains. There was only one person I knew who had blue drapes. The trouble was, I had no recollection of how I had come to be here.

  “You’re finally awake. How do you feel?”

  I turned to the sound of a familiar female voice, though it was not the angel I had heard in my dream. It was my older sister, Kemena. She had been keeping watch and probably sleeping in the chair right next to the bed. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a tight braid. She was wearing her usual hospital uniform: a white cotton shirt tucked into an ankle-length navy skirt. A white apron was tied around her waist.

  Kemena rose from her chair and sat down on the edge of the bed. She flipped her braid back over her shoulder and studied me carefully with her blue eyes.

  “Thorne?” she asked as she felt my forehead, checking for fever.

  “I’m not sure.” It was as honest an answer as I could summon. “How am I here? And why are you in your uniform?”

  Was this some dream or a vision that I was caught in? The tightness in my belly remained. When I looked down at my wound, I knew what I would find: four new claw marks had been torn into my flesh and sewn back together. My gut told me I was supposed to be feeling much worse than I did.

  “You have been abed almost two days, Brother. And they have been long ones.”

  My eyes widened. Two days since I had been on the hunt, since the soldiers had been hounding us, since I had seen her …

  Ravyn.

  Brilliant turquoise eyes and wild black hair flashed through my mind. Somehow, I knew that it had been her voice that had spoken to me; the dark angel from my dream. But where was she now? A thousand different questions plagued my mind. I peered up at Kemena again, but she was not the one who would have the answers I needed.

  “I had to give you potions to help you sleep and keep you from thrashing about while you mended.” Kemena looked at me thoughtfully. “How much do you remember?”

  That was the question. Of course, I remembered the hunt. Three times a year, Warriors journeyed out to the Old Sequoia Valley to rescue men and women who had been exiled to the forest. We had brought back four exiles this hunt, but other challenges had presented themselves.

  The Old Sequoia Valley was a notoriously dangerous forest that separated each of the clans on this small continent. We always had to be wary of Yellow-eyed Sabers and Night Howlers, two deadly beasts that stalked the forest for prey. Barbarians were another real threat. They were men and women who had lived too long inside the Valley and had turned wild.

  My mind turned back to Ravyn again. Where was she? The need to see her overwhelmed me. I had no knowledge of how she fared, if she was wounded, or if she was … I could not think the word.

  My breathing picked up and my hands clenched at my sides. Kemena, sensing that I was on the verge of leaving the bed, placed a firm hand on my shoulder and held me in place.

  “Do not try to move, Thorne,” she commanded. “You’ll tear my stitches. They are healing nicely.” She lifted her chin and gave me a haughty smirk. “I am an expert in stitches if you recall. But they will do you no good if you ruin my excellent work.”

  I took a deep, cleansing breath and gave her a weak smile. “And people call me arrogant.”

  Kemena gave me a throaty chuckle, then her expression sobered. “You gave us all quite a scare, you know. News traveled fast of the battle out there. Aaron and I immediately prepared our supplies for tending any wounded, but I never imagined you … when the Warriors brought you in covered in so much blood, I thought you …” Kemena looked away and blinked back tears forming in her eyes. “Thankfully all that blood was only bluster. Once I’d cleaned your wound, I saw that you only needed stitches and a lot of rest.”

  I stared down at my wound, where my belly had been slashed open. White bed sheets covered my lower extremities while my torso was exposed to the open air.

  “The Sabers,” I whispered. Rubbing my fingers over my brow, I tried to recall everything that had happened. My memories were foggy after the beasts attacked us. Ravyn had been with me when we reached the meadow, just outside the edges of the forest. Did she make it through the fight? Was she somewhere within Peton, resting and waiting for me to awaken? Kemena made no mention of her.

  “Yes,” Kemena affirmed. “Everyone has been beside themselves. Of course, Gunter has visited every day. And that young one, Brock, also stops by to see you. They say you saved his life, Brother. He’s been very
anxious and overcome with guilt.”

  It was beginning to come back to me now. Brock and I were battling a Yellow-eyed Saber together. We had almost beaten it until Brock looked away. The beast had taken advantage. It had lunged forward to finish him, but I had thrown myself into its path. The Saber had ripped its claws right through my torso, much deeper than the superficial wounds that Kemena had described. There was only one explanation for this remarkable healing: General Wolfe’s serum.

  My Warriors had been ambushed on the trail back to Peton and Brock had taken the first bullet. In an attempt to save the young Warrior, Ravyn and I had hunted down Wolfe’s most fearsome soldier, a man called Two. Ravyn was certain he would have some of General Wolfe’s special serum.

  Just as we had hoped, that serum had healed Brock completely without so much as a scar to show for it. So why had I not fully healed? I wondered silently.

  Kemena continued on without a pause. “Even Pierce and Archer have been checking on your recovery – nearly as much as Gunter.” She gazed at me curiously. “I understand Warrior loyalty, but I was not aware that you were friends with them. And on your return, they insisted – most rudely, I might add – that you be placed here in my home instead of the hospital. Of course, I had no problem with it,” Kemena said, swiftly justifying their odd behavior. “I was going to move you here regardless. Then they pulled me aside and ordered me not to allow anyone to see you without Aaron or myself present. Do you not find that odd, Brother?”

  I frowned. There was no reason for Pierce and Archer to fight so vehemently on my behalf, unless they had intended for me to be watched at all times, rendering me unable to speak with anyone privately. It was still possible that Pierce was working alone as a spy for the Elders or Wolfe. Archer might have coincidentally been in the room when Pierce gave my sister his orders to keep me isolated.

  Brock was the rookie on our hunt. Surely the Elders would choose a more seasoned Warrior to be their messenger. Wouldn’t that Warrior need to be more familiar with the Old Sequoia Valley?

  Max was a mystery. He was young, but had still been on the hunt enough times to know the forest well. And wasn’t one of his uncles an Elder? That was something to consider as well.

  That left Gunter.

  But that’s ridiculous. Gunter was my oldest friend. I trusted him more than anyone with the exception of former Commander Hawke. It was irresponsible and cowardly of him to flee and leave the rest of us to fight the Sabers, but I would soon question him about it.

  None of that explained where Ravyn was now. Perhaps she had discovered the betrayer and was being held captive in Peton’s prisons? I would need to speak with Gunter to find out if that were true.

  Kemena watched me, giving me ample time to explain, but I had no intention of drawing her into this mystery. It was better for her to remain ignorant and safe. Instead, I waited for her to tell me any news or question me endlessly about a mysterious woman brought home to Peton. No questions came. An ache began to form in my chest thinking that perhaps she had died. No one would have had the opportunity to tell me yet.

  “Thorne,” she said softly, taking my hand. “You look lost and have said nothing. Do you not remember anything that happened?”

  “I remember everything until I was attacked by that Saber,” I assured her. “What happened after the attack? How do the other Warriors fare?”

  “As I said before, Pierce and Archer brought you to me, and they both seemed hale and hearty with but a few minor scrapes,” she explained. “Gunter came with them. He was quite shaken, but only had a bloody lip. Apparently, there was a scuffle between Pierce and Gunter at the gates.”

  My mouth dropped open. What could Pierce and Gunter possibly have quarreled about?

  “Brock was covered in blood, but it must have been yours because he didn’t have a scratch on him,” she continued. “Max was badly wounded, but he was lucky. No major blood veins were severed in his leg. He had a broken collarbone from where that Saber clamped down on him. But Archer patched him up well enough in the meadow. He should be fine in a month or two with the aid of our healers. You were all very lucky it seems.”

  While I stared out the window, I could feel Kemena’s eyes bore into me, but I could not say more to her until I had spoken to each of my Warriors.

  After some consideration, I turned to her and said, “I must speak with Gunter.”

  Kemena rose from the bed. “I will let everyone know –”

  “No,” I interrupted, startling her. “Say nothing to anyone but Gunter. For now. And be discreet.”

  Kemena frowned in confusion, but still nodded her agreement. “As you wish, Brother.”

  I expected Kemena to sweep from the room and do as I commanded at once, but I should have known better. She stood next to the bed like a statue, staring down at me with her lips pressed together into a fine line. Kemena had something to say and she wasn’t moving until I had heard every word. Though she was not a Warrior, she had a stubborn nature that rivaled my own.

  Rolling my eyes, I beckoned her forward. “Say what you must, Sister. You will not let me rest until you have done so.”

  Kemena clasped her hands together. “You should speak to Tallon.”

  I opened my mouth to argue and then quickly closed it. The last time I had spoken to Tallon, my younger sister of just fifteen years, we had parted with angry words. She had begged to come out on the hunt with us, but I had refused and berated her. It had been Ravyn who had helped me see her in a different light. Tallon was much like me, and she was eager to prove herself as a Warrior. I had promised myself that I would take more interest in her training instead of leaving it to another’s guidance. Tallon deserved the best training I could give her so that she didn’t end up as battle-scarred as I had become.

  “Very well,” I reluctantly agreed. “But only after I have spoken to Gunter.”

  Once Kemena had gone, I gave in to the ache that had formed in my chest. The wound on my belly was nothing but a scratch compared to this. Ravyn was meant for me, I was sure of it. I had claimed her and she had accepted. I had said the Binding Words, making her my life-mate.

  I would not believe she was dead. I couldn’t. Ravyn was a survivor. I would not believe it without proof. But that still left me with the burning question: where was my little warrior?

  Back to Map

  2

  Ravyn

  The only sound I could hear was the hammering of my heart as I walked. It was loud in the silence. My hands were clammy and I could feel sweat running down my back. The long hallway was bright white, lit overhead by fluorescent lights that never turned off or grew dim. If I stared at them for too long they hurt my eyes.

  Continuing down the hall, I stepped lightly, noiselessly, knowing that if I made a sound all would be lost; he would find me. I must succeed. I must not get caught.

  Turning a corner to the right, I started down another hallway, but it looked exactly like the last one. Pure white with blinding lights.

  My feet moved with more urgency, knowing that my time was drawing short. As I continued, turning left and then right again, my breath came faster and faster. I glanced over my shoulder, but no one was there.

  Faster. Don’t get caught.

  I began to run, turning down another hallway and then another, but nothing changed. This place was a maze, meant to trap anyone who dared to enter. Lost and uncertain, I doubled back, hoping to leave and try again some other time, but instead of finding a long hallway, it was a dead end.

  A deep, cruel laugh sounded behind me. My hands trembled and my mouth dropped open in a silent scream. I knew who it was before I even turned around.

  ***

  I sat up with a gasp and whispered a curse.

  “Another nightmare?”

  I clenched my jaw. Of course, Kaelem was awake. It was the middle of the night and it was probably his turn to keep watch. He always seemed to catch me at my worst and knew my thoughts before I had time to make sense of them.


  I glared at him across the small fire in the middle of our camp. His eyes were near black in the dark, though truly they were a rich chocolate color that matched his shoulder-length hair.

  Kaelem raised his eyebrows innocently. “It’s not my fault I can read your mind. Your thoughts are loud. And vivid. It’s difficult not to answer them.”

  We’d stopped to rest for the night in a circle of sequoias. Their trunks were at least fifteen feet wide and many of them grew to over two hundred feet high, blocking out the stars and moonlight overhead. The campfire was the only source of light in the forest. Nash, Hagan, and Haldar were sleeping on either side of us near the warmth of the fire, rolled up in their own blankets. None of us had tents to block out the chill of the autumn air.

  I scanned the darkness between the trees, hoping I wouldn’t find any predators watching us. That precaution did nothing to quell my fear that something was out there stalking us in the shadows. The tattoo that General Wolfe had etched into the back of my neck was constantly tingling now. The sensation had started the moment I had decided to journey back to rescue my friend, Laelynn, and it hadn’t stopped. I couldn’t trust it, but I couldn’t ignore it either.

  “Get them up,” I ordered Kaelem, even as I jumped to my feet. “We’re moving on.”

  “What is it?” Kaelem asked, standing and searching the woods around us. “I don’t hear or sense anything out there. We still have a few hours before dawn.”

  I crouched down to pack up my bedroll into my rucksack. “I don’t care.”

  Kaelem scratched his head and raised his eyebrows. “Ravyn, you’re overreacting a bit, don’t you think?”

  I shouldered my rucksack and straightened up. “It doesn’t matter,” I snapped. “Time is running out for Laelynn. The longer she’s inside the compound …” I swallowed back the bile that threatened to rise up in my throat. I didn’t want to think about what Wolfe might be doing to my friend.

  Laelynn had been abducted by General Wolfe’s soldiers and was being held hostage in the compound. Kaelem and his brothers had gone to great lengths to track me down and ask for my help. Laelynn was my friend and their younger sister. I wasn’t going to leave her in that place.