Meet me as the moon falls and the sun begins to rise. In the place where the forest meets the sea. If you begin to doubt where your feet are going, just listen to the call of my heart, for it calls only for you. I’ll wait for you there. I’ll wait for you always.
All the stars,
Evren
She read the note three more times before clutching it tightly to her chest.
The captor of my heart.
Her smile widened as she leapt to her feet. It was only an hour from sunrise and so she would need to hurry.
Of course, she knew exactly where Evren wanted to meet. It was the same place where he’d rescued her from those two hunters. The cliffs where the forest meets the sea, just as he’d said. The place where everything changed between them.
Tallulah scrambled for the last of her belongings before pulling on her boots and Evren’s cloak that he’d left for her. With a last glance around the room, she blew her plants a kiss goodbye.
A tiny dose of magick dispersed through the air from her fingertips. Gold and iridescent, the light floated through the greenhouse as it touched the tip of each plant, enchanting them to stay forever green.
She knew it wasn’t wise to use her magick, but she wasn’t afraid. Not anymore. She was leaving for good.
Her smile faded, knowing how much she’d miss it here. But the hope for the future was too bright to reconsider. With a final whispered goodbye, she turned and headed out into the darkness.
* * *
The Blackwind Tavernmocked Evren with each step into the city.
Even in the dim light of the streetlamps, the building loomed over him. He kept his eyes to the ground, but the tavern watched him with a scrutiny he didn’t like as he made his way to the Lonely Seabird Inn.
He wouldn’t look at the tavern, yet.
Wouldn’t give it the satisfaction even if he knew he’d have to go there before morning for his coin. He’d gotten to know the barkeep well and doing so had earned him a strong box in the back for his earnings. But at this time of night, the urge was more powerful than ever. Even still, he kept his head low.
First the inn, then the tavern,then Tallulah.
It took every bit of his strength to pass by the Blackwind, but when he reached the Lonely Seabird’s front door, he let out a sigh of relief.
One step closer.
He didn’t know the innkeeper well, but had heard rumors from being stationed there in the past that he was a man of many talents. One of which was discretion. Which was exactly what Evren and Tallulah would need if they were to make it to the Jade Guild safely.
The wooden door creaked as Evren opened it and stepped inside. The immediate warmth from the fireplace stung his frozen cheeks, but he was grateful for it. His heart lurched for a moment, thinking of how Tallulah would soon be out in this cold. But it was for the best that she didn’t come to Davenport.
“What can I do you for?”
Evren shook his head at the voice, clearing it of the worry he had for Tallulah.
The innkeeper sat behind a large oak counter. His thinning gray hair swept to the side as if to give the illusion of thickness. Tiny, gold-rimmed spectacles sat barely on his nose. His thick, gray brows pushed together as Evren stood silently in the foyer.
“Are you hard of hearing?” the man asked again.
“No.” Evren took a step toward the counter. “Sorry, been a long night.”
Though a quick glance out the inn windows reminded him night faded and morning would soon take its place. He needed to hurry. He cast the innkeeper a quick smile, which was left unreturned.
“You may remember me?—”
“Get a lot of patrons, don't flatter yourself,” the man said in a gruff tone. Reclining in his chair, he crossed his arms and watched Evren over those ridiculously small glasses.
“Right.” Evren rubbed his hands together. “Anyway, I’m Captain Fletcher. I was here about a month ago swearing in the recruits for the?—”
