Von twirled a knife in his hand, contemplating. It wouldn’t take more than a flex of his fingers to end the man’s life.
Eagon jerked a step forward. “Harm him, and I’ll kill you.”
Von nodded to Len, who had another knife ready to fly. “Aye, then she would kill you. And I give you my word, she won’t miss. I’d rather we make a deal, Eagon. I don’t touch your captain, and you stand down.”
The man’s one gray eye burned, and Von knew he’d guessed their ranks right. He had the leader of The Skulls at his mercy. Eagon’s hard gaze flickered between Von and the captain, lying unconscious at his feet. Len and Bouvier flanked him as they awaited the mercenary’s response.
“Go,” came Eagon’s guttural growl.
Von took a careful step back. The others shadowed him while watching the mercenary. He watched them too, taking a step toward his captain with each one they retreated until they reached the alley.
“Von.” Eagon lowered his mask, revealing another young bearded face. Scars coursed down his cheek from beneath his eyepatch. “Let your master know we’re coming for him.”
By that look of pure loathing, Von had no doubt The Skulls would. They withdrew into the dark alleyway and ran into the night.
Chapter 17
Zev
The earth felt cool beneath Zev’s paws as the wind passed over the forest, undulating his fur. His ears remained perked, alert and listening beyond the chatter of wildlife. He sniffed the crisp night air for any uncommon scents. The sky glimmered with a dash of stars, the half-moon glowing softly among the wispy clouds.
Dyna and Lucenna’s conversation about the classes of magic blended with the scuff of their shoes where they walked ahead of him. Beside them, Lord Norrlen rode Fair. His keen sight remained on the surrounding trees, also listening. Cassiel’s flying form was but a shadow against the skies speckled with stars. Lucenna maintained small purple spheres of spectral light to guide their way. Nothing was amiss, but after what had happened, Zev wouldn’t lower his guard.
Tarn had found them a lot sooner than they’d thought.
“Spies,” Rawn had murmured to him and Cassiel when they had a moment to discuss it. “Sent ahead to scout information on our position and strength. They were testing our abilities.”
That was Tarn’s way. Otherwise, there would have been more men. They must have been watching, and when another opportunity to take Dyna presented itself, they attempted it. Captain Elon had come this time and the spry one who’d nearly taken out his eye. Zev regretted not ripping off a few limbs before he escaped.
At the sound of his growl, Rawn pulled on the reins, and Lucenna’s eyes immediately ignited with her power as electricity sparked at her fingertips.
“Zev?” Dyna whispered, rushing to his side. Her hand sunk into his fur as she searched their surroundings. “What is it?”
He shook his head, huffing. It was nothing. He hadn’t meant to startle them.
She frowned and ran her fingers through his fur. “All right?”
Yes. No.
There were too many things wrong to answer that question. One of them being her. It became glaringly clear each time he looked at her with the eyes of his wolf. Dyna glowed like she was filled with starlight. An odd trait she’d gained ever since Cassiel healed her with his divine blood. It changed her somehow. Changed her smell and Cassiel’s, too. Their scents carried a trace of one another, as if their spirit had imprinted on each other.
After so many days, Zev worried the change was permanent. Cassiel owed him an answer, and he wouldn’t let the prince use his blood on her again until he had it.
Sauntering behind Rawn’s horse, Zev shifted. He pulled out a pair of trousers from his pack strapped to Fair’s saddle.
“Sorry,” Zev said as he slipped them on, then returned to Dyna. “Nothing is the matter. I was aggravated.”
She searched his eyes and gently squeezed his hand. “I’m safe.”
He rubbed his face. “I know.”
Lucenna’s gaze traveled over the ugly indentations on his chest and arms, then quickly away. Zev slipped on a shirt.
“We have traveled far enough,” Rawn said as he dismounted. “Here is as good a place as any to camp for the night.”
They had arrived at a small glade by a stream, closed in by a tall formation of rock that blocked the bitter wind. Cassiel landed on top of it and looked at him questioningly.
“We’re camping,” Zev called.
