Demonbane: A Fantasy Romance (The Dark Talons Book 1) by Marie Robinson

Author:Marie Robinson [Robinson, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

He released me and I staggered back, my heart a bucking horse in my chest, unable to comprehend the moment.

My hands went to my throat, but while I was able to soothe the physical pain of his hold, I could do nothing for the agony clawing its way through me.

Cazien went to his clothes, his back turned to me in complete dismissal. He was dressed in moments, buckling on his sword belt and sliding the other blades I’d retrieved into their places.

I’d expected to be dead by now, and now that I wasn’t… I didn’t really know what to do.

Going to my own pile of weapons, I crouched in front of them. The moment my hand gripped my bandolier, Cazien’s foot came down on my hand. It hadn’t hurt, but I couldn’t pull away.

His face was devoid of emotion as I looked up.

“Guides have no reason to be armed.”

My brows snapped together. “You can’t be serious.”

His foot didn’t move and I scoffed, disgust at both of us gripping me. I yanked my hand back and he let me go, swooping down to collect my blades himself.

I crossed my arms, hugging myself but pouring steel down my spine. I’d made this choice and now I’d see it through, even if that meant living.

“When does Durnth expect you to meet with him?”

“By noon tomorrow, or he’ll assume I’m dead. He thinks you already are.”

Cazien grunted. “And the horses?”

I looked at my feet, shifting my weight. “Said I’d take care of them.”

“This route,” he held up the map, “will take how long to get to the desolation on foot?”

“A week? Maybe more, maybe less. Depends on how hard we push, and if we run into the Kanoi.”

“Then we’d better get a move on.” Cazien pulled the pack on and strode past me, his arm almost clipping me.

I followed him down the path we’d hiked up, the setting sun forcing us to go slow. With the sun gone, the Aeaean jungle came to life with sound as all of the insects and reptiles finally braved the open air. At least there wasn’t stone silence, I doubted I could survive that.

Cazien stopped, and jerked his head for me to go on.

“Clear it.”

I stomped past him into the clearing we’d made camp the day before. Someone had gone through my things, leaving the remains strewn over the ground. Cian whickered a greeting and I made my way over to the mares. Neither of them lacked for gear, and I hoped one or two men nearly lost their fingers for trying to unload them.

“I know,” I whispered as I scratched Cian’s chin. “I’m glad to see you again too.”

Nixus tossed her head and plodded towards the trail I’d come from. Cazien met her at the edge of the clearing, his hand going to her neck as he looked her over.

“I don’t see any sign of them,” I called, keeping my voice low. “Looks like the lure of gold set a fire at their heels.”

“And not a single one of them cared enough to help you.

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