Chapter Twenty-Four
––––––––
AT MIDDAY, OAKLIE LEFTthe interstate and took an offramp that led to a small town.She drove past it and stopped beneath some trees.“I can’t sense anyone nearby,” she said.
Arkas was glad she was being cautious.“Neither can I,” he agreed, then they got out to stretch their legs.The sky was cloudy and he could see storms in the distance.So far, their journey had been uneventful.Oaklie had detoured around several accidents, presumably caused by people who’d been raptured while driving.
Oaklie raided a box for food, then crossed to a fallen log and coaxed it to turn into a stool.He was amazed at the control she had over her power.“How did you hide your talents from your father and siblings?”he asked.
“By locking myself in my bedroom and practicing where no one could see me,” she said wryly.She turned to look at another log and it morphed into a stool matching hers.“Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?”she asked.She’d snacked on energy bars and water for breakfast a few hours ago.
“I’m positive,” he said, wrinkling his nose.“One of the most convenient things about being a knight is not needing to eat, drink or void my bowels.”
“I can see how that would be a benefit,” the cambion said.“I’m going to need to step behind a tree before we hit the road again,” she muttered to herself.
“Rahab and his soldiers used to capture us and torture us in the past,” he said, striding over to sit on the stool she’d made for him.
“Did they ever capture you?”Oaklie asked, tone turning disturbed.
“A few times,” he confirmed.“They tied me to a tree and cut off my legs the first time I was captured,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.“I couldn’t call on my sword to kill myself and end my torment with my hands tied.I spent a couple of weeks hanging by my wrists.I dangled over my rotting, severed legs until Rahab gave up and finished me off.It would have been even worse if I’d been starving or dying from thirst.”
Oaklie’s mouth had fallen open in horror.“That’s terrible!”she exclaimed with tears glittering in her dark eyes.“Why didn’t your brothers save you?”
“It was always a trap to try to draw Amaros in so they could kill him,” he explained.“We all agreed long ago to kill ourselves, so our brothers wouldn’t fall for the ambushes.”
“The soldiers are all monsters,” she said, shocked by this news.“And one of them is my real father?”
“I’m not sure which soldier is your sire,” Arkas said, studying her face.“You resemble a few of my enemies.”
“I look like my mom,” she refuted.
“Cambions almost always take after their sires,” he said.“I’m just glad yours isn’t here to exert his parental bond over you.”
Oaklie shuddered hard at that prospect.“You won’t let him take me,” she said with utter confidence.
“No, I won’t,” he agreed, tone and eyes going hard.“I’d kill every last soldier with my bare hands to keep you safe, female.”
“You barely know me,” she said, lowering her gaze to the cookies she was snacking on.“Why would you risk your own life like that?”
“I’ve already told you why,” he said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Because I’m yours?”she said sarcastically, lifting her gaze to his face again.
