The Black Claw by Jessi L Roberts

Author:Jessi L Roberts [Roberts, Jessi L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mountain Star Press
Published: 2020-01-19T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Cousins

The next morning, I headed out with Qwalm to find a ride while Vakel and Wixi shopped for supplies. I had very little contact info for the other pirate crews, and the few I did know how to contact, including the Samaritan, weren’t in the region.

Qwalm punched something on his datsheet. He squinted at it, then turned to me. “You know where the Star’s Spring is?”

I nodded. “Why?”

“Might have a ride.”

Qwalm had found someone who traveled to Tupra? The idea of Qwalm knowing the types that frequented Tupra seemed foreign, but I led him to the Star’s Spring.

A Torf with shiny black feathers stood in the doorway, her dark eyes on the passing crowd. Her feathers and scales were even darker than Qwalm’s. She spotted us, cocked her head, then sauntered toward us, moving with a wild grace that told me she was someone not to be messed with. She was small and slender, even by Torf standards. “Qwalm,” she said. “Didn’t expect you to ever come to me begging for a ride.” She spoke with authority, one that advertised she was in power over him.

Qwalm dipped his head to her. “Never thought I’d be asking for a ride.” He kept his head lowered until he finished speaking. I’d never seen him show this much submission to anyone, especially not a small female. I guessed they were related. After all, black Torfs were rare.

She turned her predatory gaze on me. “Who is this? One of the hunters?”

“Krys is as much of a pirate as you, Jettal.”

Jettal circled me, her long tail bobbing. Her eyes were a dark blue, nearly black as her feathers. I stood still as she circled me, though standing straight hurt my ribs. “My cousin told me you were part of Klate’s crew.” She stepped in front of me and stood to her full height so she could meet my eyes. “Tell me, could you not figure out a better way to rescue your captain?”

I met her gaze. She didn’t strike me as the type who would appreciate someone who wouldn’t hold their ground. “I’m sure the Deathhorn’s second is doing all he can to rescue our captain, but he won’t need me for that. The best I can do is have a backup plan and give Tenned more time.” I spoke confidently as I could.

She nodded. Being a Torf, I guessed her nod showed respect as well as understanding.

“Will your captain let us on the ship?” Qwalm asked.

“You two, yes. The others will have to stay locked up for the trip. I may trust you and that pirate, but not bounty hunters.” She turned, her feathery tail swishing behind her. “Meet by the three peaks outside town.” Her eyes narrowed. “If this is a trap, you’ll be the first to die.”

“It’s not!” Qwalm snapped.

“My captain doesn’t show mercy.” She strutted away, her long tail lifted high by Torf standards.

“Now you’ve met the only member of my family who didn’t disown me.” Qwalm sighed.

“That’s rough.” I put a hand on his shoulder.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.