You will suborn the rider who services you sexually?was what Wreylith asked.
Syla’s cheeks heated, though it wasn’t as if anyone would overhear their telepathic conversation. Even if Jhiton had the ability to spy, he was busy checking out the tracks.
He appears most devoted to you,Wreylith added.He may indeed be willing to assist you in escaping.
He’s the one who kidnapped me.
Did you not desire to be kidnapped?
Well… sort of.
You sent me to check on your allies in the large human dwelling when I could have remained close.
I know, and Iamhoping to use this opportunity to find the shielder components. I have a medical kit full of drugs that can help me get away from the camp, but I’ll need someone to pick me up and take me back to the Kingdom. Promise however many livestock you need to, please.
Will the livestock be for the dragon who comes to get you or the dragon who arranges the rescue?
Syla resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Wasn’t Wreylith sated from all those bog bears?
Both,was what she thought back to the dragon.
Hm, very well.
“They’re heading toward the camp,” one of the riders observed, pointing toward the tracks and the trail leading to the bluff.
“Yes.” Jhiton straightened. “And dire wolves are often accompanied by dire vultures, which have a propensity to carry off our children if we’re not vigilant.” His people had to already know that, so Syla suspected the words were for her. Jhiton glanced at her before continuing to speak to his men. “Ask your dragons to stay in the area. We left many of our winged allies in the Kingdom to reclaim Harvest Island and be ready in case we get another opportunity at Bogberry, but we lost many of them—and several of our skilled riders—to that gods-forsaken weapon.”
“It’s a gods-craftedwondrousweapon,” Syla stated.
Vorik gave her a warning look that probably meant she would be wise not to talk back to Jhiton or ruffle his feathers. She lifted her chin, having no intention of being cowed by the general or any of his riders.
“Either way, it’s in the river now,” Vorik said cheerfully.
“Not a deep enough burial for it,” Jhiton murmured, looking at Syla again, as if that wereherfault.
Syla bared her teeth at him and fantasized about driving magical daggers into his heart. If she got close enough to touch him at any point, she wouldn’t hesitate to use her power to kill him, and she eyed his chest now, wishing she could press her palm flat to it and send her magic straight into his heart.
The general’s eyes narrowed as he watched her face, and, for the second time that day, she wondered if he couldread her thoughts. She hadn’t heard of a human with that ability, but who knew what powers he derived from that great black dragon?
Vorik rested a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s head to camp, General. The dire wolves are more active at night, and it’s getting dark.”
“Agreed,” Jhiton said. “And it’ll be easier to question our captive there. Healer Yavaron has the powder.”
“Powder?” Syla looked to Vorik, remembering that he’d taken items, including the hydra-scale powder, from her cabin, but he didn’t have a pack with him now, nothing but his weapons and clothes.
He didn’t look surprised by Jhiton’s comment but didn’t explain.
Jhiton smiled tightly and led the way up the trail.
Agrevlari, Ozlemar, and the blue dragons flapped away, heading out to sea and down the coast. To hunt? Since the trees and bushes grew densely atop the bluff, reminding Syla of the rainforest they’d visited along the coast of Droha, the dragons might struggle to find places to land. This was probably as close to the stormer camp as they’d been able to bring their riders.
Vorik followed Jhiton up the trail, making sure Syla came with him. She adjusted her spectacles and stayed close to Vorik. The two riders who walked behind them gave her cool looks, and she suspected everyone in the stormer camp except Vorik would hate her instantly for having used the weapons platform to kill their comrades. What were the odds that Vorik would truly be able to keep anyone from hurting her? Or worse?
The blades of waist-high grass along the path had razor edges, making her wish she wore trousers instead of a dress. At least the hem fell past her calves. A couple of stunted trees they passed had thorns along their narrow, bent trunks. Even though the green foliage above looked lush, Syla was sure a lot of the flora here could open a wound on a person. The predators would be even more likely to do so.
Jhiton looked up, and Syla followed his gaze. Against the dark sky, the storm clouds having drifted closer, a huge black vulture with a white spot on its chest sailed overhead. She’d never seen a bird so large, not on her islands, and, with talons almost as long as those of a dragon, she believed it was far more than a scavenger. Its size promised Jhiton’s statement about the vultures here stealing away children was likely true.Largechildren.
As they reached the top of the bluff, screeches, roars, and blood-curdling shrieks drifted out of the forest. Again, it reminded Syla of the rainforest on Droha, though the salty air wasn’t as warm or humid.
