But if Blaise couldn’t see it, then it wasn’t a trap for him. “Why are you attracted to her?”
“Didn’t say I was. I only hear the truth in her voice. She’s not lying to us. So I think we should help her.”
“And no good deed goes unpunished. You help her and you’re likely to pay for it. In the worst way imaginable and at the worst possible time.”
Blaise sighed heavily at Falcyn’s mistrust that had come from a lifetime of betrayal. “What I love most about you, Fal. Your never-ending optimism. It bowls me over.”
Perhaps, but sadly he expected only the worst from those around him, andveryseldom had they risen above his low expectations.
Tucking down her gossamer wings so that they couldn’t be seen, Brogan retrieved her knapsack.
As she started past Falcyn, he stopped her. “You harm him… or cause him to be harmed in any way—even a hangnail—and I will make sure you die in screaming agony.”
Her eyes widened at his threat. “I see no death for him. You’ve no cause to threaten me on his behalf.”
As she moved to walk beside Blaise, Medea dropped back to Falcyn’s side. “What’s a kerling?”
“A conjuring witch.”
“That why you asked if she sought death?”
He nodded. “Kerlings can be a handful.”
“Known many?”
“No, but I’ve killed my fair share.”
Brogan gasped and glanced over her shoulder at Falcyn.
With a fake smile, he waved at her.
She let out a squeak and sidled closer to Blaise, who cast a fierce grimace in his direction. “What did you do?”
“I smiled.”
“Ah, that explains it, then. It’s such an unnatural act for you that you look like some questing beast whenever you try.”
Falcyn screwed his face up as Blaise allowed the kerling to lead them.
Medea frowned up at him. “So what’s the deal?”
“With?”
She jerked her chin toward Blaise. “You only heel for him. Why is that?”
“I don’t heel for him. I protect my brothers.”
“So you say, but that’s not what it looks like from where I’m standing.”
“Then you need to get a pair of glasses, a better vantage point, and look again.”
“Don’t get testy with me, dragonfly. I merely find it fascinating that you’d tuck your claws in for your brother. It just seems out of character for you. And weird.”
“Weird?”
“Yeah. I never tuck mine in for Urian. Rather I use him as a sharpening strop.”
“That’s the truth. She lets blood every time she gets near me.”
