But I don’t want to go back. And I definitely don’t want to go through Ruvain again.
“Hey,” Torjack calls.
I look at him.
“It’ll be okay.”
I shake my head. “Not if I can’t see.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, blinking my tears away. As badly as I want to, I can’t do so here. I’ll think of a solution. I always do. But I won’t be able to proceed without that ruthless shadow assassin at my side.
I strain my ears, wishing to know what’s happening at the inn, wishing I could do something. The feeling of helplessness has my stomach twisted in knots. It’s probably twice as bad for Torjack, though he doesn’t show it.
I swallow down the feeling and focus on what I can control.
“Why don’t you and Rynthea move to Meriva instead?” I ask. “Or another kingdom that doesn’t allow the hunting of beastials?”
“Well, Kamtaur has been in our family since before we were born. My mother and father opened it together.” Torjack sighs and clears his throat. “My mother grew sick and died when we were in our eighth year. My father became sad thereafter. He showed us the ropes of running Kamtaur when we were in our fourteenth year so we could take over one day. He died when we were in our eighteenth year, and ever since then, Rynthea has been trying to keep the place alive. She has way too much hope for weak or failing things, despite how powerful she is.”
He shifts in his chair uncomfortably, and my heart aches for him.
“But I know a lost cause when I see one,” he continues. “My sister believes Kamtaur Inn should stay open, despite the danger, but I tell her all the time it won’t stand for much longer. Sooner or later, they won’t care for the rules and will burn that place down just to get to us.”
“That’s so unfair. You shouldn’t have to live like this.”
“That’s life for you, huh?”
A thump sounds at the hatch door. Our eyes widen as we look at each other. He stands up and reaches for what looks like a pitchfork in the corner, then remains a few steps back from the opening of the hatch.
I stay seated with bated breath.
Chapter 16
Torjack’s nose and ears twitch. Just as quickly as his defenses rose, he drops the pitchfork as six rhythmic knocks sound on the door.
After he climbs the steps and unlocks it, Rynthea staggers down, a massive blur in the sunlight without my spectacles. Behind her are two more shadowy figures. Based on their stature and the color of their clothes, I assume they’re Thane and Algar.
Thank Orvena.
“Are they all gone?” Torjack asks.
“Yes. Dead or they’ve run off.” Rynthea claps her brother’s shoulders. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Good thing I’m not stiff today, huh?” He huffs out a laugh.
“Oh, shut up, you fool.” She sighs as she reels him in for a tight hug.
Thane walks around her to reach me. “Quinlocke, are you hurt?”
“No, I’m okay,” I answer when our eyes connect. His warm, concerned tone is a surprise to hear.
Algar crouches next to me. “Where are your specs?”
I press my lips and pick them up from the table, waving them by one of the wiry arms. “Broken.”
“Damn,” Algar mumbles.
“There’s no way I can continue the journey like this. I can barely see.”
Thane stares at the spectacles a beat before holding out a hand. “Let me see them.”
