Free After the Fire (After the Fire: Book the First) by J.L. Murray

remembered.
    Except
for Alin, she felt nothing when she thought about those who were
killed. She was sorry that Alin had to die, but he had always told
her it was important to welcome death when it came. And she was was
almost grateful to the Reivers.
She felt angry about her mother, about believing the lies, but also
an unmistakable feeling of relief that she had been freed.
    Eleni
looked at Fin. He squinted in the darkness. The clouds had rolled in
and covered up the moon. He wasn't used to seeing at night like she
was. The wolf walked along beside her like a shadow. She had been
half afraid the animal wouldn't follow her if she went with Fin. She
was relieved that she was traveling along with them, her shining
golden eyes a comfort to her.
    They
had been walking at a steady pace for hours now. Eleni could sense
the distinct feeling of the Reivers
as they went. At one point, she sensed where they had changed from
wild monsters to men.
    “You
know, usually people that travel together talk to each other,”
Fin said. “It is a pleasantry. Would you care to try?”
    “Pleasantry?”
said Eleni. She snorted. “What do you want to talk about?”
    “You
choose,” said Fin, smiling. “I like your questions. I'm
sorry I was short with you earlier.”
    “Very
well,” said Eleni. “Where is the raven?”
    “Oh,”
said Fin. He shrugged. “I suppose it must have flown home to
Magda,” he said.
    “Along
with the Reivers,”
said Eleni. Her tone was cool.
    Fin
seemed to be lost for words. He stopped and stared at her. Eleni
slowed and turned to look at him. “You did not think I would
not know, surely,” said Eleni. “I have tracked boars that
left less of a trail than they did. And we are following exactly in
their wake. You think me stupid.”
    “I
don't,” said Fin, defensively.
    “You
must,” said Eleni. “It is of no consequence. Most make
the same mistake.”
    “Don't
liken me to the animals in your village, Eleni,” said Fin.
    “Why
should I not?” she said. “You lie just as well as they
did. I do enjoy your company a great deal more.”
    “It
wasn't me,” Fin said. His shoulders were slumped and his eyes
kept shifting away as if it were hard for him to keep them looking
into Eleni's eyes.
    “What
was not you?”
    “I
didn't send the Reivers.
I didn't want them to come. I asked Magda not to send them. I told
her I could convince you. The Reivers
are low, as low as the humans get. Barely human, in fact. I don't
care to have anything to do with them. But you cannot argue with
Magda. It's useless. And she heard you say your mother was in there.
I suppose she just had to be sure.”
    Eleni
frowned. “They came for my mother?” she said.
    “You
must understand, Eleni,” said Fin. “Magda has been
looking for her sister for twenty-five winters. Twenty-five. She's
desperate to find her.
    Eleni
was silent for a moment. “I can understand that,” she
said. “I would have done the same, were I in her position. She
did right.” Eleni narrowed her eyes as if concentrating on
something. “How did she hear?” she said. “Was she
with us?”
    “No,”
said Fin. “The raven. It's her eyes and ears.”
    “Like
the wolf,” said Eleni.
    “I
don't think so,” said Fin. “Not exactly. The raven is
literally her eyes and ears. She sees and hears everything the raven
does.”
    Eleni
nodded. She would see Magda soon enough. She would see for herself.
“Why did you come?” she said. “You came before you
knew about my mother. Why did you come back for me?”
    “Because
I couldn't leave you here,” he said. His voice was low. “You
were locked in a metal box. You're too special for that.”
    “No
other reason?” said Eleni.
    “Things
are dangerous now, even for us. Especially for us. I talked to Magda
and she agreed. You must be brought to safety. Alone you would be a
target.”
    “For
what?” said Eleni. Fin was silent. Eleni shook her head. “You
have seen me,” she said. “You have seen