The Scorpion's Heart by Dionie McNair

Author:Dionie McNair [McNair, Dionie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YA Young Adult eBooks Finch Books Books Fiction
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group Ltd
Published: 2016-02-15T16:00:00+00:00

* * * *

They were well into the swamp when sun show came, and the Nixets were waiting in the soft light.

The Nixet king stood atop a decaying tree stump. His eyes narrowed as he took in their disheveled state. “You have the pearl?”

Amon nodded.

The Nixet’s frown immediately transformed into a leering grin. “Let me see! Let me see.” He chortled as he rubbed his chubby hands together.

Despite her uncertainty, Brianna couldn’t help smiling at the diminutive creature’s display of glee. She closed her fingers protectively over the beautiful jewel. They had almost lost their lives retrieving it, and she was reluctant to hand it over to this horrid manipulative creature.

“You agreed to lead us safely through the marsh if we delivered the pearl,” Amon said quietly.

All signs of happiness left the Nixet king’s face. “How dare you make demands of the Nixets?” he snarled and stabbed his staff into the decaying wood of the stump.

Amon gave a terse smile and quietly replied to the tiny man, “I’m not making demands, Nixet, simply opening up negotiations.”

The king stared up at Amon with his beady eyes narrowed. A flicker of evil red lit up the dark centers. “Nixets don’t need negotiations,” the king declared loftily.

Again Amon nodded. “I know that too, Nixet king, but I’m hoping you will be fair and reasonable.”

The small creature scowled for a moment then his face cleared. “Of course Nixets can be fair and reasonable.”

Brianna could see Amon was trying not to smile. He managed, after a struggle, to adopt a serious expression and appear duly impressed.

“This is what I’ve been told,” Amon concurred calmly.

“It is true. Nixets have their own code of honor, not always understood by the Bigfoot.”

“So, Nixet king, will you lead us through the treacherous marsh for the price of a pearl?”

“Of course, this is what we agreed,” said the Nixet king.

Brianna fingered the pearl before she reluctantly passed it to Amon. They both knew the Nixet wasn’t to be trusted, and she wondered why he’d said nothing about Tulia.

The obnoxious creature scowled with impatience. “Hurry up, warrior, or the deal’s off.”

They had no choice, so Amon held out his hand.

The Nixet king smiled gleefully, his tiny feet stomping an excited lively dance on the log. “You have it! You do have it!” he shrieked.

Amon nodded. “The pearl is yours when we reach dry ground,” he reiterated firmly.

The Nixet smiled slyly. “Then we have a deal, warrior. Let’s go.” He signaled with his staff and the Nixets gathered in single file to lead the way.

At last the Nixet king brought them to a halt. They stood huddled in a wet, muddy group, the stench of the marshes rising in a fetid cloud around them.

The Nixet king scrutinized them, disdain contorting his face. “Not very good travelers, are we?” he sneered.

Brianna had a terrible urge to stomp on his precious gray-haired head, but she restrained it with a struggle. Amon’s set face signaled his own thoughts about the obnoxious creatures.

The Nixet king pointed with his staff.

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