Roman’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know.”
Osman began speaking rapidly, his words tripping over each other. “I saw Roman and Marcellious at the tavern. Then Costa came in. And then some man named Balthazar. I’m pretty sure he took your brother, Roman. Then I watched you help Roman escape. You were both affected by the poison.” He exhaled, rubbing his hands over his face. “We can help each other. I’ve already been helping Roman for days.”
The rain was starting to seep into my bones, cold and unrelenting. I pushed myself to my feet and extended a hand to Roman.
He took it, rising unsteadily.
The three of us moved under the tavern’s eaves, the narrow overhang offering some reprieve from the downpour.
I turned to Osman. “How do you know so much?”
Osman ran a hand through his rain-drenched hair, droplets flinging into the air. He squared his shoulders. “I already told you—I’m a scholar and a healer.” His voice dropped lower, tinged with something darker. “I come from Anatolia, where the Timehunters are known as the Black Assassins.”
Roman stiffened beside me.
Osman continued, his gaze far away. “Their society in Constantinople is far more powerful than the one here. Their tortures? Far worse. Worse than anything Costa and his men could dream of.” He let out a breath. “My betrothed and I came here searching for answers about the Timehunters and the Moon Dagger. And now we’re stuck.”
His hands clenched into fists before shoving deep into his pockets.
“I don’t know where my Reyna is.” His voice cracked, but he kept speaking. “They probably already killed her. I’ll probably never get her back.”
For the first time, something other than hunger stirred in my chest.
Because I knew exactly what it was like to lose everything.
A low growl rumbled in my throat.
Goddamned Montego. He swore nothing would happen if he traveled with us. He promised my companions would be safe. Yet now Marcellious was gone, and Balthazar and Costa prowled these lands, leaving their savage mark behind.
I clenched my fists. We had to get back.
“We need to get on the road,” I said, shaking off my despair. “Marcellious can handle anything. He’s been through worse.”
I turned to Osman. “You’re coming with us. Fate doesn’t cross paths like this without reason.”
Then, without waiting for a response, I strode toward his dwelling, my long strides eating up the road.
Roman, despite his lingering weakness, kept pace beside me.
“Wait!” Osman called, hurrying after us. “I’m honored to be invited into your company, but—” he hesitated. “Might I know your name?”
I glanced at him, my eyes smoldering. “I’m known as Malik.”
Once we stood before his modest home, I leveled him with a firm gaze. “Gather your belongings. You’re never coming back. If the Timehunters have your betrothed, they’re watching you too.”
Osman’s eyes widened, pools of fear gathering on his face. But then, as if snapping back to reality, he nodded and rushed inside to pack.
Roman chuckled. “Nothing like putting the fear of God into a man.”
I slid my gaze toward him, a knowing smirk curling my lips. “We both know God isn’t the one he should fear.”
A dark laugh passed between us.
When Osman rejoined us, we wasted no time, heading to the stables where our horses had been kept for the cave expedition.
A stableboy shot up from his makeshift bed of hay, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Good sirs, how may I help you?”
“Prepare our horses.” I fished a coin from my pocket and tossed it to him. “And if you hire someone to deliver our supplies to where we’re staying, there’s more gold in it for you.”
