Would it be better to sneak onto Tarn’s ship or approach him? She peered at the tips of the sails peeking beyond the roofs. Was he even still here? He didn’t exactly give her time. Maybe she should look for Von instead. He would know how to find Tarn, but Von could be anywhere.
Dyna rubbed her dry eyes and yawned. Exhaustion was catching up to her sooner than expected. Falling sick last night didn’t help either. But when she pulled out the tonic from her satchel, it felt near empty. What she had left wouldn’t last long. She should visit the apothecary across the street before continuing to the docks. Tipping the bottle back, Dyna drank the last drops to the dregs. A sigh of relief slipped out of her as her energy returned and her worries faded.
She could do this.
After wiping her lap clean of crumbs, Dyna took Fair’s reins and crossed the street. But when she headed for the apothecary, a hand snatched her into the shadowy alley and pinned her to the wall. A man’s gloved hand clamped over her mouth, the other pinning her shoulder in place. Her pulse sped with adrenaline. Her hood covered her vision, so there was no telling how many were in the alley. She had been in this situation before, but they had no idea she had months of pent-up rage ready to release on the next person to try her.
Dyna thrust her hand against his elbow, breaking his hold off her mouth. She reached for his sword, but he caught her wrist. Twisting, she wrenched free. Her body fell in perfect formation as she whipped out her blades.
A low chuckle echoed in the alley.
Dyna stilled, because she recognized that sound. She yanked back her hood and met a pair of pale blue eyes that matched a winter sky.
His mouth curved in a faint smirk. “Maiden.”
She blinked in surprise. “Tarn…”
After pushing and waiting and demanding to get to him, here he was. Her first instinct was to drive her knife into his heart, but no matter how much she trained, she knew her limitations. Tarn was an opponent she would have to defeat when he least expected it.
Dyna forced a small smile and sheathed her knives. “It’s improper to sneak up on a lady. I could have killed you.”
“Doubtful.” He tucked his gloved hands into the pockets of his long coat. The lapels were pulled up, partially obscuring his face. “Though I see your reflexes have improved.”
Tarn continued walking through the alley. She took Fair’s reins and followed. It was odd to find him in public. The king’s ransom on his head forced him into hiding, but perhaps he didn’t need to worry in Dwarf Shoe. Or he had a pressing reason.
“Did you come looking for me?” she teased.
“Hardly. I came on another errand. Fortunately for you, as I am about to leave.”
Dyna glanced behind her to make sure no one followed. “No luck meeting the Druid?”
“It seems my information was false.”
She bit back her grin as they entered a quieter street with hardly anyone passing by. They made for the sea. “Well, he isn’t another trinket you can simply gather for your collection, Tarn. You do not find him.He finds you.”
Tarn stopped, eyeing her. “You speak as if you know him.”
Dyna schooled her expression and shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t. I simply know how tricksy the fae are.”
The crease in his scar deepened as he studied her. Her expression remained blank, fortifying her lie.
Tarn walked on. “How did you manage to come here alone? I half expected your Guardians to appear.”
“I slipped away in Little Step.” She needed to tell him some truths to make her story believable. “I rode through the night.”
“Just as well.” The pier came into view, and there was Tarn’s ship. It was a fine black vessel withSOMNIOpainted in elegant gold letters on the side. No sigil marked the black sails. “Leave the horse.”
“What?” She slowed as they reached the docks.
“Did you think a ship was a place for animals?”
“But I can’t leave him.”
“Sure you can.” Snatching the reins from her, Tarn tossed them aside and pulled her along. As if it were easy to leave something behind.
That made a thorn dig into her chest.
“Wait.” Dyna tugged against Tarn’s grasp. Fair whinnied and trotted after her.
