Page 64 of Lucifer's Mirror
“She asked to come with us,” Thanouq says. “The others were all from one area, but Winter was taken elsewhere. Her people were killed. All she has left is a brother taken on an earlier raid. Now she wants to find him.”
“You trust her?” Khaosti asks and I can hear the suspicion in his voice.
“I do,” Thanouq replies.
“She saved my life,” I say. “One of the slavers—a really big one—was just about to hack me and Zayne into pieces, and she stabbed him in the head.” I look at where she’s still standing, unsure of her welcome, maybe. “We’d be dead if it weren’t for her. I think we should help her if we can.”
“She’s right,” Zayne adds. “And she helped us free the slaves. They wouldn’t listen to us.”
Thanouq turns to look at the girl. “She showed bravery in the battle,” he says. “She killed the archer. We have many contacts within the slavers—we may be able to help her locate her brother. She can come with us to the Crone and then accompany us when we return to Zandar Aurion.” He turns to me. “How are you feeling?” he asks. “Are you up to traveling a little? Just far enough to get the stench of this place out of our nostrils.”
The idea of moving doesn’t particularly appeal to me. But neither does the idea of staying here. He’s right—it smells. “I’m not up to riding—horses or griffins. But getting away from this place sounds like a great idea.”
He nods. “Okay, we’ll head back the way we came, just until we get some clean air and a place to spend the night.”
“We passed one about an hour’s walk away,” Khaosti says.
I can manage an hour. Can’t I?
Zayne and Khaosti get to their feet. And it’s my turn. I’m not actually sure my body will do what I ask of it. Then Khaosti holds out his hand to me. I slip my palm into his, feeling the familiar tingle run through me, and he pulls me to my feet. I sway a little but then steady myself. Now for walking. Khaosti is still holding my hand. “We can stay here if you need to,” he says.
But up high in the sky, the vultures are already circling, and I want to be gone from this place of death. “Nope. I’m good. Let’s go.”
I reluctantly pull free and totter over to where Stella is tied under a tree. I untie her and lean against her for a moment; she’s warm and comforting. I straighten up, take a deep breath, then start walking.
“You’re going the wrong way,” Zayne says quietly from behind me.
Of course I am. A mistake anyone could make. I turn Stella around and head off in the correct direction. I look up and find everyone watching me. No one’s moving. “Are we going then?” I snap.
“Yeah.”
Just one foot in front of the other. I can do this. I concentrate on staying upright and moving in the right direction.
“I can carry you,” Khaosti says. “Or Thanouq can, if you prefer.” He says the last part totally without expression. I must look really bad if he’s offering Thanouq’s services.
I consider it, but my side hurts so much that I don’t think I could bear it. “Thanks, but I’m okay.” And that’s a goddamned lie. But I keep going. I blank out everything except walking, staring down at the small piece of ground in front of me. Then the next. I’m not sure how long we walk, but it’s way too long. I stumble, and someone catches me before I hit the ground.
“We’ve come far enough,” Khaosti says.
I agree.
He keeps a hand on my arm and leads me to the shade of a tree. “Sit,” he orders.
I sit. In fact, I go one better and lie down on my good side, closing my eyes. I can vaguely hear Khaosti speaking in a low voice, and I force myself to concentrate.
“Sleep,” he murmurs. “You’re safe. I won't let anything happen to you. Not while I'm here."
Now I don’t want to sleep.
I want to cling to those words and the promise they hold.
Chapter 31
Khaos
She’sdrivingmecrazy.
But I can’t let her see that.
