Torvivor carries Rachel

The lurker stepped around Tark and hefted Rachel effortlessly over its shoulder. It radiated cold. She tried not to let her hands touch it.

Be strong, Galloran thought to her with the fierce urgency of a final message. Do not let him own you.

The lurkers scattered, heading for the high windows. Rachel’s lurker leaped and then climbed the wall like a spider. Her weight seemed to cause it no trouble. I’ll do my best, Rachel answered. I’m sorry. I didn’t know they would come like this. Win!

The lurker carried Rachel out the window and down the wall, and crossed the yard at inhuman speed. Startled faces blurred by. Her lurker jumped halfway up a staircase, then onto a roof, and then sprang to the outer wall, nimbly climbing what remained. Once beyond the wall the lurker went from feeling like her own private roller coaster to her own personal race car. Wind gushed over her as they sped to the lake. She felt only mildly surprised when the water failed to slow them.

Chapter 25