Seraphim rolled her eyes. “Percy.Later.”
Scrambling to his feet, Percy returned to his horse. Eleos nudged me, offering me a hand. “At least we have a dog, now.”
Chuckling, I let Eleos help me up and wrapped my arms around his waist when he sat ahead of me. Still not accustomed to all this running around, I leaned my head against his back, exhausted.
Our horses rode through the woods, weaving between trees to scatter our trail. The hound kept pace, trotting alongside his master, tall ears stalwartly listening for pursuit.
Dropping the reins, Eleos raked his hands through his hair, combing his waves. Leaning around his shoulder, I teased him. “Priests aren’t supposed to care about appearances.”
“Psythos senses vanity.” Eleos finished the saying. “Luckily, I’mnota priest.”
“Mhm,” I rested my head against his back. Metallic steel infected his comforting scent. “Seth mentioned something called the Acheron,” I said softly.
“Yes. There are few records of it in the Merchant Isles.” Eleos answered. “That’s the source. The river that flows into the heart of the Empty.”
“And we cross it to get inside?” I asked. “Do you still disappear if you walk in through the front door?”
Eleos chuckled at my analogy. “That’s my theory. We’ll be able totraversethe Empty and discover what hides within.” His gaze drifted to Seraphim. “If what they say is true, the denizens of Duath Nun will know more. If we can get them to talk, rather than run us through.”
“Is that another task for me?”
Eleos smiled. “If you can sweet-talk Duath Nun’s royalty, Lady Aethra, I’ll forgo worship of the gods and bow to you instead.”
* * *
The scene of bloody death replayed in my head: punctured steel, rent flesh, exposed innards, and the sheer amount of blood streaming from the dying man’s body onto the floor.
Shuddering, I closed my eyes and pinched my nose. The sharp scent of wood filled the air as I leaned against a tree and wrapped myself in my cloak.
Darkness swallowed the forest. Seraphim had advised against lighting a fire lest our pursuers find us. I’d offered to take the first watch, as sleep would doubtless evade me. The others gatheredin a hastily made camp, watched over by the hunting hound Seth apparently took everywhere with him.
What would Duath Nun be like? A country everyone knew of yet understood nothing of. The border lords kept rapt watch over their lands, lest anyone slip by and incite the hostile country into starting a war we couldn’t afford.
The people of Duath Nun would try to kill us if we entered. More bloodshed awaited, more brushes with the Empty.
What was I doing here? I wasn’t cut out for this.
Seth’s voice rose behind me, startling me out of my thoughts. “You’re not a very good watch, if I can sneak up on you so easily.”
“I’m watching foroutsidethreats,” I muttered, trying to see him in the dark.
He joined my side, towering a head above me. The faint outlines of messy hair and tattered clothes caught my eye in the night.
“I, um. . .” He began awkwardly. “You seem distressed about what happened in the dungeons.”
“I hadn’t seen anyone die before,” I answered. “Not like that.” I took a step away. “And I don’t particularly like it when people hold me hostage.”
“I told you I was sorry.” He shrugged. “I had a different plan, but then you presented yourself on a silver platter. Who makes for a better prisoner than a beautiful lady?”
“Wait. Did you get caught on purpose?”
“Yes. It was the best way to get to Acrius.” He folded his arms. “Howdidsaid beautiful lady end up here?”
Knitting my hands behind me, I leaned against the tree. “It’s a long story. Seraphim needed a con woman. I’m half decent, and I had nothing else to live for.”
His gaze hardened. “How long have you worked for the Guild?”
“Technically, never,” I corrected, leaning my back against the tree. “I’m indebted to them thanks to the nefarious deeds ofanother.” I paused, trying to find an eloquent way to put it. “Essentially, I’m their slave.”
