The night stretched endlessly as Rust's hooves pounded against the dirt road. Kaida leaned forward, feeling the beast's muscles ripple beneath her as they ate up the miles.
Core breeds. Damn expensive, but worth every copper. The crystal embedded in Rust's chest glowed faintly through his dark coat—a pulsing blue light that matched his heartbeat.
That core did more than just make him fast. It gave him stamina that regular horses could only dream of.
"Come on, boy," she muttered, gripping the reins tighter. "Faster."
The horse responded immediately, his speed increasing as the crystal flared brighter.
Wind whipped against her face, cold and biting. Trees blurred past them on either side of the road.
Normal horses would've collapsed hours ago. But Rust? He was just getting warmed up.
Her thoughts raced as fast as the horse beneath her. The church. The prophecy. The Ironbreaker dead. And all of it pointing back to—
'Millbrook.'
