“We need to talk somewhere more private,” Evren whispered. Doubt sank its teeth deep in his bones. Could he trust Markus? Or would he see what Evren had done and turn him in? Or worse, would he hurt Tallulah?
Markus straightened, suddenly more sober than he was mere moments ago.
“Let’s go.” Markus turned and walked up the creaky wooden stairs and reluctantly, Evren followed.
* * *
“Fuck,”Markus said for the third time. “Tell me again how this happened?”
Evren sighed, his knee bouncing rapidly as he sat in an upholstered chair in Markus’ room. They’d been discussing this for nearly thirty minutes and time was running out. It would be dawn soon and he had so much to do. He needed to get his coin. Needed to get the supplies. The horse.
“Evren,” Markus snapped, pulling him from his stupor. “Tell me again.”
“I’ve already told you everything.” Evren stood from the chair and headed for the window. The dark blue curtains were musky as he pulled them aside to glance at the sky. Purple and gray swam together as dawn quickly made its approach.
“I don’t have time to repeat myself.” Evren yanked the curtains shut. “Either you’re with me, or you aren’t.”
“What the fuck does that even mean?” Markus shouted.
“Keep your voice down,” Evren hissed. “You don’t need to do anything other than what I already explained. Tell Lieutenant Benedict that my uncle has fallen ill. Tell him I had to leave the hunt to take on my responsibilities at home.”
It wasn’t the greatest lie, but it’s all Evren could come up with in the time he had. With his uncle's position as Lord of the Jade Guild, he doubted the Lieutenant would question it.
Evren joined Markus on the bed, the two of them sitting side by side. Markus held his head in his hands, as if what he heard was blasphemy.
“Markus, look at me.” Slowly, Markus pulled his fingers through his blonde hair and faced Evren. “I know what I’m asking is a lot, but if you knew her?—”
“She’s an Enchantress, Evren,” Markus groaned. “Do you really think she has feelings for you? Think about it, brother.”
He tapped Evren’s temple a bit too hard.
“She’s using you. She’s probably halfway across the Trinity Forest by now. Youlether get away.”
“No.” Evren shook his head as he contained a laugh. “You don’t know Tallulah. She would never use me?—”
“You’ve gone mad,” Markus said with a laugh. “How do you know her magick isn’t making you feel this way? How can you trust her!”
“Because I justdo. I can’t explain it and I know how it sounds. But as my friend, myoldestfriend, please do this for me.” He reached for Markus’ shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Please.”
Markus rolled his eyes, his head falling back to face the ceiling. After expelling a long breath, he looked at Evren again.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll make sure the Lieutenant knows you’ve gone. And if anyone asks about the Enchantress Jasper and Alexander found, I’ll tell them she…got away somehow. Fuck, I don’t know.” He sighed, throwing his hands in the air. “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.”
“Thank you.” Evren pulled him in for a quick hug and patted him on the back. “I must go, meet me at the Jade Guild. There’s much we need to discuss. The hunt being one of them.”
Markus frowned but Evren turned and rushed to the door of the room. Dawn would be here in an hour. And in an hour, he’d be with Tallulah again and their life could begin.
“Evren,” Markus said, his voice wavering.
Evren turned to face him, his hand already on the handle of the door, ready to sprint out of the room and toward her.
“Are you sure about this?”
Without hesitation, Evren nodded before he said, “I’m sure.”
* * *
Despite the unpleasantdemeanor of the innkeeper, he stayed true to his word. As soon as Evren left Markus, he went straight to the Blackwind Tavern to tap out his coin. The trade was made in an alley between the inn and the cobbler next store.
