Clocks and Daggers (The Thief's Apprentice Book 2) by Sara C. Roethle

Author:Sara C. Roethle [Roethle, Sara C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vulture's Eye Publications
Published: 2016-12-19T18:30:00+00:00

Liliana held a hand to her ribs as she debated what to do. She’d crammed herself into a dark crevice between buildings to hide, but her blood trail would inevitably lead her pursuers right to her. She knew she should be formulating a new plan, but she could only focus on the throbbing pain of the wound in her side. She’d never been injured before, and in fact had felt little pain as far back as she could remember, save some minor scrapes and burns, and the jabbing of Viola’s needle as she drew Liliana’s blood.

This pain was something entirely new. It clouded her vision and made it difficult to think. That she’d even run this far was a surprise. She’d been acting on pure instinct, but now regretted not waiting to make sure Arhyen was alright. There had been at least one more pistol shot after the one that hit her, and it easily could have been meant for him.

Unfortunately, she felt incapable of going back for him now. Her thoughts came to a screeching halt as the sound of hurried footsteps neared her hiding place. She glanced over her shoulder at her only possible route of escape. The narrow path between the two buildings ended abruptly with a tall brick wall. If she were uninjured, she could easily scale it, but she doubted her capabilities in that moment.

She screeched as someone shoved themselves into her crevice, then grabbed her wrist.

“We need to move,” Arhyen’s voice whispered.

Her knees nearly giving out in relief, she nodded. “I’m injured. I’m not sure how well I can run.”

Arhyen tugged her out of her hiding place, then unceremoniously lifted her off her feet. She was airborne for a brief moment, then her abdomen landed across his shoulder. She gritted her teeth against the fresh pain. Did he have to toss her so roughly?

Hearing a clamor not far down the street, she suddenly understood his hurry. The armed men had not just been warding them away from the building, but were now pursuing them.

Arhyen took off in the opposite direction of the clamor, his arm clamping around her trouser-clad legs. She could see little in the darkness, and couldn’t seem to lift her head far enough away from Arhyen’s back to attempt a peek at their pursuers. After a few seconds his bouncing gait began to make her queasy, much like the feeling of riding in the coal carriage. She hoped she would not vomit, as Arhyen was already getting soaked with her blood.

Obviously oblivious to her predicament, Arhyen picked up speed, racing around corners without slowing, creating enough momentum that she felt she might sail from his shoulders, despite his arm securing her legs.

She groaned in discomfort, mixed with fear.

“I’m sorry,” he panted as he ran. “We can look at your injuries once we’re safe.”

She would have replied if she could find the words, but she was barely maintaining consciousness. They seemed to be putting distance between themselves and their pursuers. Why were they being so ardently pursued? Hopefully the assailants would soon tire and retreat.

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