“And what about the guards, wiseass?” Thane gestures to the numerous men patrolling the streets in onyx armor and helmets.
They’re built like giants, and none of them look kind enough to let outsiders simplypassthrough their kingdom.
I know it for a fact when a feathery beastial runs through the street and one of the guards stops him with a solid hand to his chest. The guard sticks out a palm and shouts something in his face. The beastial tries backing away as he pleads his case, but this clearly doesn’t satisfy the guard.
Another guard emerges and uses magic to lift the beastial into the air. Then he slams him against the nearest wall. He rams him once more, making the beastial bleed as the other guard bellows with laughter. The magical grip holding the beastial midair vanishes, dropping the being to the ground with a loud thump. When the beastial remains flat on the ground, the one wielding magic jerks his hand and twists the beastial’s neck so hard it separates from his body.
I cover my mouth to fight a gasp.
My gods. He killed him. Just like that.
A growl escapes Thane’s lips.
“Just conceal yourselves,” Algar murmurs, waving his fingers, as if we all didn’t just witness an unnecessary murder. “Thane, do your sorcery shit to keep yourselves covered and I’ll teleport in between. As soon as we make it to the tunnels, you won’t need to conceal anymore. No one walks through them except people without homes, and they won’t mess with you. Trust me. Most are too hungry or strung out on kopa to do so anyway.”
“That would require the whispershade spell, and that’snothow it works,” Thane grumbles through gritted teeth. “I can conceal myself for a lengthy period of time, but two peopleanda horse will drain me of energy very quickly.”
“So take breaks.” Algar shrugs like it’s no big deal.
I have a feeling it’s amajordeal, considering Thane’s frustration.
“We’ll find places to hide for a few minutes, and when you’re revived or whatever, we’ll move again.”
“No.” Thane straightens to his full height. “This is a foolish plan. We’ll just walk the perimeter. It’ll take a little longer, but at least we’ll have a careful eye on our surroundings.”
“We’ll lose time, Thane.” I catch him by the arm before he can get away. “The sooner we can get through Ruvain, the better. I don’t want to linger around this kingdom any more than I have to, and I definitely don’t want to be near the forests. Plus, we’re already here.” I point a thumb over my shoulder. “I agree with Algar. We should just do this—take our chances with your whispershade spell, and when you need breaks, just tell us.” I pull my hand away.
He breathes hard through his nose, jaw ticking as he looks through the bush again. The guards are now drifting away, heading toward the heart of the city.
“Fuck.Fine.” Thane pulls his mask up, then grabs Pearl’s reins. “But we need to do it now, while those guards are gone.”
I follow him and Algar, pushing through branches and thick bundles of leaves until we reach an opening. Thane steps out first, making sure the area is clear.
“Aren’t you going to use your magic so we can’t be seen?” I ask from the shadows of the branches.
“Not yet. Not until it’s absolutely necessary.” When it’s clear, he gestures for me to follow before he runs the short distance to hide behind the first building, Pearl in tow. I jog after him.
“Great,” I breathe, pressing my back against the stone wall. “Only, like, a hundred more to go.” Somewhere in the distance, men’s voices rise and fall in conversation. I fight the urge to peek around the edge of the building.
“Keep still.” Thane’s amber irises flash and become liquid gold. A blanket of heat wraps around me, making my skin prickle as the whispershade takes effect. “Stay close.”
Thane looks a little blurry, like he’s surrounded by a heat mirage, but I can still see him. I know the whispershade makes it impossible for those outside the spell to see us—including Algar, who nods in our direction before vanishing and reappearing behind the next building.
Thane moves ahead with Pearl while I stay close behind as instructed. We pass three more buildings before I feel the heavy heat around us ebbing.
“Whispershade is wearing out.” Thane huffs, gluing his back to a wall.
“It’s okay,” I assure him. “Just take a moment to restore some of your strength.”
His eyes connect with mine, the skin around them softening. I smile at him before shifting my attention to Pearl. Too much eye contact with him stirs something up inside me, and I don’t quite know how to embrace it.
I feel him look away, too.
When I steal a glance at him moments later, though, his fiery eyes are on me again. If I’m not mistaken, he’s admiring my body. Realizing I’ve noticed his staring, he clears his throat and snatches his gaze away.
I suppress another smile. I’m not sure whether to be annoyed that he was looking or flattered that he has even an inkling of interest in me.
I believe ten minutes or so pass before Thane stands taller and the whispershade wraps around us again. This time he moves faster, passing by four more buildings. I spot the black pillars wrapped in ivy a short distance away. If we can reach those, we’ll be closer to the tunnels.
