Smirking, I saunter toward the exit with an extra swing in my hips.
Chapter 38
The streets are a bit quieter near this inn. I spot Enver hovering a few paces away and descend from the porch to meet him.
“Zaira,” he breathes, smiling.
“Hi, Enver. Thank you for arranging the lodging for us. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to stay overnight.”
“Yes, well, it’s better to have somewhere to rest your head. There is no telling how long it will be before Captain Solyen returns.”
“Hopefully soon. How long do you think it takes to get to The Shallows from here anyway?”
“About two days’ journey on a regular boat, but since Captain Solyen has a speedship, you’d probably be there in a matter of hours.”
“Okay.” Hours, I can do. “That’s good.” I smile and look out at the sea, as if the captain will be returning any minute.
“So…listen. I hate to pester you about this, but I’m deeply worried about you. Why are you traveling with that crew of random people to The Shallows?”
I sigh. “Because Analla is cursed.”
“Cursed?” His brows pucker in the lamplight. “How?”
“She got mixed up with a Grim sorcerer near Meriva.”
“Oh.” Enver’s face is stricken with concern. After all, he was Analla’s friend, too.
“Long story short, no decent sorcerer in their right mind is willing to go against this evil sorcerer, so I found another way to lift the curse…but it requires a trip to the Temple of Elphar.”
“Ah,” Enver says, as if things suddenly make sense. “What is it that you need from there, exactly?”
“There are prosperity stones in the temple. I just need one of them.”
“I see.” He frowns, staring at the cobblestones under his feet. “That seems a bit risky, don’t you think, Z?”
“Itisrisky. Life-threatening, actually. But it’s the only way I can think of to save her. That’s why Thane, Rynthea, and Algar are with me—well, it started with just me and Thane. I paid him to be my guide and protector, so he can help me get through Thelanor and reach The Shallows in one piece—”
“Wait a minute.” Enver throws up a hand, pausing me. “Youpaidhim to protect you?”
“Well, yeah.” I shrug. “I was willing to pay anyone who agreed to protect me on this journey. So far, he’s done a great job. We’ve been through some insane situations, and miraculously, I’m still alive. You wouldn’t believe the half of it.”
“So prior to Analla’s curse, you didn’t know him at all?”
I hesitate. “No…”
“You’re traveling with astranger.” It should be a question, but it isn’t. It’s a solid statement. Enver is no longer smiling. “Look, I didn’t want to say this around him, Z, but there is something about him that I don’t trust. Knowing you paid him, and that he’s agreed to a journey so dangerous, makes him even more suspicious to me, I won’t lie.”
“Thane just has that look about him.” I shake my head, hoping he’ll back off.
“You mean the look of a cold-blooded killer?” Enver counters.
I stifle a laugh.If only you knew.
“Listen, I can help you find another way to save Analla. I know many sorcerers who might be able to help.” Enver sighs. “I just don’t think it’s wise to be traveling to such a dangerous place with a man you’ve only just met.”
“We’re too far in, Enver, and too close to stop now. We plan on finding a boat and going tomorrow, regardless of if Solyen arrives. Do you have anyone who can help us that soon? Anyone who will agree to risk their lives facing one of the strongest sorcerers in Meriva? One who uses black magic, might I add, to handle most of his affairs?”
“I…” Enver’s throat bobs as he looks out at the watery horizon. “No, I don’t.”
