Pip smiled brighter as he launched into chatter about cherries. Marina listened with rapt attention, one of her many techniques for charming strangers and winning their trust.
Vaskel used this distraction to slip free from Marina's grip, darting out the door while Pip handed her a crusty morning roll. But he'd barely made it three steps before he walked straight into another hellkin. It was the one he’d seen watching him in the market.
Before he could walk away, fingers like iron closed around his arm, yanking him to a stop. Marina had moved with theunnatural stealth she'd always possessed, catching him before he could get far.
"That was rude," she said, her voice still pleasant but her grip bruising. "Here I am, trying to get to know your charming new friends, and you run from me like I’m the enemy.”
"It's me you want," he snarled, no longer caring about maintaining appearances or about the young hellkin taking a menacing step toward him. "Leave them alone. Leave Thrain alone."
Her smile sharpened into something predatory, and she shared a knowing smile with the other hellkin. "Time is running out, Vaskel. For you, certainly, but especially for your dwarf friend. He's quite taken with the idea of adventure, and me, of course.” She leaned closer, her breath hot against his ear. "He'd make such an excellent addition to my crew. All that passion and that desperate need to make his mark. He reminds me of a young hellkin I once knew.”
Rage boiled in his chest. "Leave. Him. Alone."
Marina pulled back, studying his face with mock sympathy. "If you behave, if you come willingly when I call, then you have nothing to worry about. Neither does Thrain." She slid her gaze to the young hellkin. “Karv would prefer not to crew with a dwarf, isn’t that right?”
The hellkin—presumably Karv—grunted and bared his teeth.
Marina’s fingers traced along Vaskel’s shirtsleeve and over the unseen marks. "But if you don’t come willingly…” She shrugged languidly. "Well, you do have such delightful friends.”
She released him abruptly, causing him to stumble. With perfect composure, she adjusted her cloak.
"The three days are quickly coming to an end, Vaskel. I told you I’ve missed you, and that was the truth. I grow impatient of waiting for you to join my crew, so we can go back to the way we were together.” She released a sigh that seemed laden with nostalgia. “The choice is yours, just as it always has been. Come willingly and fulfill the promise you willingly made, or I'll take what's mine anyway, along with anyone else who catches my fancy."
Then she spun on one heel, while Karv stared at Vaskel for another few moments, his glare making it perfectly clear what he thought of Vaskel joining their crew. As Marina sauntered away with her hips swaying, and Karv finally followed her, Vaskel watched them go with fury burning through his veins like acid. His hands clenched into fists, the marks on his arms feeling like brands, like chains, like failure.
How did Marina not see that he wasn’t the hellkin he’d been? It was true that he’d once wanted to be like her, but that was so long ago it was hard to imagine himself so empty and power-hungry. A small part of him almost felt pity that she was desperate for someone who no longer existed.
He stumbled the rest of the way to the tavern, hesitating outside the door to the Tusk & Tail and bracing one hand on the rough stone. Despite Marina’s threats echoing in his head, they were not what haunted him. It was Iris’s green eyes glistening with hurt that mocked him. It was the moment he'd almost been brave enough to reach for happiness that tormented him. Not that he deserved happiness or Iris. Not after the things he’d done.
The marks of the soul bind prickled again, reminding him of Marina's deadline and the dark fate marching toward him.
He felt more cursed than ever.
Twenty-Nine
When Vaskel walked backinto the tavern, Sass had roused herself from bed and was busily stoking a fresh fire, although Val was nowhere to be seen.
“She went home,” Sass said before he could ask. “And don’t think I didn’t see you sneaking a peek at us this morning.”
“I wasn’t sneaking a peek,” Vaskel grumbled, his mind still consumed with dark thoughts. “I was looking for Thrain.”
“Aye, well.” Sass eyed him as she straightened and let the kindling catch beneath the pile of peat. “I heard him come in, but he’s gone now.”
Vaskel grunted. “I tried to talk to him, but he’s too taken in by Marina. He believes her story of being a healer who’s come to help the old laird.”
Sass reared back, hands planted firmly on her hips. “That woman a healer?” She shook her head. “Thrain has always been a fool when it comes to womenfolk. I suppose some things never change.”
Vaskel hoped that wasn’t true. He hoped he’d changed, although at this point he didn’t know if that made any difference.
Clattering in the kitchen drew his attention, and he hiked a thumb toward the swinging half doors. “Is Lira’s baking going better today?”
Sass bobbled her head, and the dark braid she’d twisted into a bun bobbled. “I haven’t heard any crashes, so I’m taking that as a good sign.”
Vaskel headed for the kitchen with Sass close at his heels. When he pushed through the doors, he was pleased to see Lira humming as she mixed ingredients in a large ceramic bowl. Crumpet perched on his hind legs on the large wooden worktable that centered the room, holding a wooden spoon while Bramble was using his tiny hands to peel a lemon.
She looked up and grinned. “Top of the morning!”
Vaskel darted a questioning glance at Sass, who looked equally confused. “You’re in a good mood this morning.”
