The boat reached the bank, and the men disembarked, their boots splashing in the water. Lucenna stepped far aside, not making any eye contact as she waited for them to pass. The men varied in size and age. The youngest appeared no older than fifteen. To her relief, they marched by without a word and headed for the trail.
The ferryman stepped out of his boat next. He was tall, his face bronzed and hair bleached from his daily work in the sun. Commander Von handed him a bag clinking with coins.
The ferryman accepted it with an askance expression. “This is four times the fare, sir,” he whispered, though it was clear in her ear. She looked away, feigning disinterest.
“Aye,” the commander said, matching his volume. “Payment for services rendered and for the remainder of my men waiting to be ferried. The rest is for your discretion.”
“I heard what you were on about. I won’t abet in any abductions.”
“You misunderstand. I have come for my dear sister.”
“You need twenty armed men to retrieve her?”
“They are not for her but for those who have spirited her away from my father’s home in the dead of night.”
“Oh,” the ferryman said, his tone easing out of suspicion. “Well … I don’t want any trouble.”
“Aye, and you shan’t have it. We’ll need passage again in the morn.”
“Very well. Good day to you.”
Commander Von climbed the shore and brushed his hair out of his eyes, glancing at Lucenna. He gave her a slight nod in greeting as he moved on. Part of her wanted to cast a truth spell on him and probe into his matters further. What he said sounded true, but she also sensed lies.
“Leaving so soon?” the ferryman asked her as he turned his boat around so the bow pointed outward.
“Yes, I tended to my business here.”
“Fine that. Come aboard.” He sat at his place by the stern with his back to her, lifting his oar.
Lucenna took a step toward the shore when the Commander whispered behind her, “I’m sorry, lass.”
A blow burst in the back of her skull, stealing all feeling in her legs. The world skewed, and the ground rushed to meet her.
Then—black.
Chapter 35
Cassiel
Cassiel sat by a large fountain, watching the spurt of water trickle over the tiers. Tiny water sprites swam around in the basin, peeking at him from beneath the lily pads with marble-like black eyes. They leaped and dove out, their teal forms arcing through the air before splashing into the pools again.
By luck, he had found a garden courtyard away from the commotion of the market and the suffocating crowd. It set him on edge to be around so many humans. Here it was much quieter and empty. A perfect place to think.
Dyna.
She made him restless. He tried to ignore it, but the more he did, the more he was aware of her. Often, he found himself studying her little quirks. Like the way she bounced on her toes when she was anxious or excited. How she bit her lip in concentration. And the light brightening her eyes with a childlike wonder when she experienced new things. Inexplicably, he found it endearing, which unnerved him to think that way about anyone. Let alone a human.
She also impressed him. How was she able to find happiness within her tragic life when he couldn’t? The more he questioned himself about her, the more frustrated he became. It was a waste of energy to ask things he couldn’t answer.
A tingle hummed in his chest, and he knew Dyna was near. She and Zev emerged from one of the four streets on each side of the courtyard. Her eyes found his, and he allowed himself to peruse her new appearance.
Sections of her hair were braided in a crown along her hairline, pulling the tresses back from her slender neck. The emerald satin dress hugged her waist and bust, drawing attention to curves he had not noticed before. Silver embroidery shimmered on the collar and the long bell sleeves.
Cassiel’s fingers twisted tightly around the drawstring of the large burlap sack on his lap. “Took you long enough,” he said, conveying annoyance he didn’t feel.
Zev frowned. “I would have rather you’d waited. It was difficult to locate your scent among so many. Where did you go?”
“I went to find the merchant traders. I secured our spots on the next caravan leaving the city tomorrow afternoon …” Cassiel trailed off when he took notice of their grim expressions. “What happened?”
