House of Shadows by Abbey Franer

Author:Abbey Franer [Franer, Abbey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-29T05:00:00+00:00

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Feiythe’s station was dark when they arrived in the hazy hours between midnight and morning. Tristan had woken once during their ride to find Blix’s head on his shoulder and Lola curled up on his feet, and he’d been thankful they’d booked a one-way ticket. A short blast signaled their arrival and they made their way onto the nearly abandoned platform. Fatigue hung on Tristan’s limbs and his eyes were hot and gritty. They still had a long ride to get back to the Golden Brotherhood camp and he doubted he could convince Blix to sleep the day away in a hotel before venturing into the desert.

“At least it’ll be cool for most of the ride,” Blix said, banishing the last shred of Tristan’s hope for sleep.

“I hope your stable ticket isn’t in your bag,” Tristan said. Their belongings were currently abandoned on the floor of the museum archives.

“We’ll steal horses if we have to.”

“Such a criminal,” he said, clucking his tongue. “First you have me breaking and entering, then we damage public property, fire weapons in the streets, now we steal horses.”

Blix grinned, more bright and beautiful than the sunrise. “I’ll tarnish your reputation and make you a raider yet.”

“I guess it’s my only option seeing as you rejected my proposal to become an upstanding citizen.”

A gun cocked.

Tristan’s body ran cold as he turned, pushing one arm across Blix to shift her body behind his. Ivor’s good arm was soaked in dark, dried blood and he leveled his pistol at Tristan’s chest. The brute must have made it to the train after them.

“Thought you’d got away from me,” the raider said, his voice guttural and brimming with hatred. “That she-beast shot me and I’m going to make her pay. Get out of my way.”

“No,” Tristan said, his voice wavering. “You’ll have to go through me.”

Blix shifted behind him, no doubt checking her ammunition. Tristan hoped she was a faster, better shot. He could at least buy her time.

Ivor squeezed the trigger, the blast chilling Tristan’s spine. With a vicious bark, Lola sprang forward, sinking her teeth into Ivor’s injured arm and shaking her head. The raider bellowed and cursed, bringing the grip of his pistol onto her head in two brutal swings. Whimpering, Lola crumpled to the ground.

“Lola!” Tristan screamed, the name ripping from his throat.

She’d been a bright-eyed puppy with floppy ears too big for her body, all covered in tiny auburn curls. Tristan knew she was a bribe from his parents, something to teach him responsibility, to maybe keep him occupied and out of their hair for a bit. He’d ignored her, shoved her away every time she tried to climb in his lap or flop on her back for belly rubs, and eventually she’d taken to curling up to sleep on his feet. She was faithful, always returning to his side even though Kali showered her with all the affection Lola so readily gave.

Blood dampened her thick fur and tears clouded Tristan’s vision as he sought the wound.

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