Shit. Another snap sounded behind us, and I whipped around, scanning the trees.
Slitting his palm, Seth drew blood and shaped it into a thin pick. Biting his lip, he fitted the makeshift lockpick into the shackles.
Overcome with a mix of emotions, I backed into Eleos. “What’s wrong?” He whispered.
The Empty loomed behind us, a terrifying few paces away. Blinking my eyes, I realized the oppressive dark behind Percy wasn’t the night: every living thing ceased at the edge of a cliff and disappeared into the void.
“Got it,” Seth muttered, pulling the shackles loose and helping Percy to his feet.
Bloody vines shot through the underbrush, wrapping around us like a constricting viper. Eleos pulled me back as they surged through the air, blocking our way forward and back.
The nobleman in red stepped from the darkness, blood dripping from his palm. His sage green eyes gazed at me with disappointment through his concealing mask.
“You just had to run, didn’t you?”
13
Chapter 13
Aflash of scarlet whipped across my sight as a longsword formed from the droplets falling from Seth’s hands. My heart pulsed, watching the lifeblood spill from his palm, a twin echo to the Empty thrumming behind me.
The masked nobleman raised a hand in peace. “Two chthonics clashing so close to the Empty will bring nothing good. For either of us.”
The bloody long sword hovered by Seth’s side. “Agreed. You don’t make a move, and I won’t either.”
A hand wrapped around my elbow, yanking me back. Eleos stepped in front of me, shielding me. Whisper lowered himself to the ground, teeth bared, a snarl ripping from his snout.
Shadows moved in the woods as more people emerged, forming a line between us and the forest. I squinted, trying to make out their features and count their numbers. Ten or so, each dressed in leather emblazoned with a goblet. Though I couldn’t see the colors of its stitching, I had a feeling it would be gold.
Guild members.
Pulling arrows from their quivers, the Guild’s assassins knocked their bows and pointed them at us.
“How nice of you to bring company,” Seth said, his voice friendly. “I take ityouattacked our con woman and arranged Percy’s mob?”
I glanced at Percy, who nodded stiffly.
The nobleman stalked forward, his red vines coiling around us like snakes. “There is a good reason I brought you here. So long as you drop your weapons, we will all walk away from this alive.”
“I’m not sure I believe you,” Seth said. “Normally, people get to know me before cornering me in the woods with hired thugs.”
“I would have invited you for dinner had we the time.” The nobleman sounded like he was smiling. “My only interest is in the lady, and not because I wish her harm.” He turned to me. “There is something here you need to see. And when you do, you will thank me for it.”
“What do you want me to see?” I asked.
Behind the mask, sage-green eyes swept over us, drinking in our every detail. “One of you will turn and walk into the Empty. And you will do so knowing you saved your allies’ lives.”
Seth scanned the woods, counting the enemies, one hand curling behind his back, fingernails digging into his palm. Spots of blood appeared on his skin.
Eleos squeezed my wrist and spoke in my head. “I think we can take them. Between the three of us, we can carve a path to the horses.”
“What if the Guild members are mages?”
“I doubt they are. They would have flaunted their advantage.”
The nobleman’s gaze darted to Eleos. He peered at us as though listening to our conversation. With a horrible gurgle, the blood vines surged upwards, wrapping around Eleos and me, a thorned tendril brushing against Eleos’ neck, drawing blood.
“If you have faith in the Maiden,” the nobleman said calmly. “There is no cause for fear.”
