“I plan to compete,” Kronk said in his deep, barrel-chested tone. “I am tired of advising.”
Things must be dire if they were considering entering the trials.
“I do miss the days when we were proper thieves.” Drazen sighed. “Hard to rob the nobility when they’re your kin.”
“We cannot steal from our sister,” Kronk agreed, thick brow furrowing.
One of the barmaids set a foaming mug in front of me. Before leaving, she cast Drazen an appreciative glance, hungry eyes sliding over his well-muscled form. Her eyes shifted back to me, and her wits scrambled, her eyes glazing. Poor girl. Strangely, I had zero interest in an easy conquest. I slipped her a coin, and she pocketed her pay, staggering away on wobbly legs.
I took a sip of the crisp brew. “Sounds as if you could use a little excitement.”
“And you sound like you’ve gone out of your way to visit our fair kingdom with something in mind,” Drazen countered, eyes flashing.
I rested on my forearms, leaning closer. “I need your help with—”
“I’m in,” Drazen interrupted.
“Me too.” The athos’s heavy fist slammed the table.
I frowned, shaking my head. “But you haven’t even heard my proposal.”
“Is it dangerous?” Kronk asked.
“And far from Carcerem?” Drazen added.
“Yes,” I said slowly, afraid to trust how easy this had been. “The Puritan’s village in Nefarr was attacked. Most were killed, but some were taken prisoner. I need help retrieving one of them.”
“Attacked, you say?” Drazen rubbed his chin.
“That’s right.”
“We’ve heard rumors. Word is wendigos hit Graycott, and ghouls infiltrated Ironwood. Nefarr makes three. Folks say there’s a dark force afoot. An evil the realm hasn’t seen in ages.”
“The rumors are true,” I said gravely.
Drazen’s expression turned calculating. “As royal advisors, it’s our duty to see if these attacks also pose a threat to Carcerem.”
“We cannot advise if we do not have all the information,” Kronk agreed.
“Then it’s settled.” Drazen slapped the table. “When do we leave?”
I drained my mug. “Now.”
“You wish to travel in the dark?” Drazen asked.
Kronk frowned. “That is unwise. Our mounts could break a leg.”
I leveled the former thieves with a smirk. “Where we’re going, you won’t need horses.”
Drazen’shigh-pitched scream pierced my eardrums, and I struggled to level out, caught by an unexpected updraft. Both fierce, battle-hardened criminals clung to my claws like a pair of swaddled infants. The infernus screamed as if he were a daintymaiden beset by a mouse. I’d have told him as much if I could communicate with them as a dragon.
My aching shoulders protested the added weight. Especially that of the athos. Even without shifting, Kronk weighed more than a cart full of plump nerf bound for market. Hauling both men off the ground had been a challenge. I’d allowed neither on my back. That privilege belonged solely to Serafina—and her curvy ass.
Kronk made retching noises, and I replied with a threatening growl. Already the bastard’s vomit stained my talons.
“Damn you, Kronk. You throw up again, and I will help the dragon roast you alive,” Drazen barked at his brother.
“Athoses do not fly well,” Kronk snarled.
