Well, now I felt like an idiot.
Still, why had he followed me this far out of the city?The food could easily have been a cover story.I decided to let my guard down a little while still keeping my eyes open.“You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that,” I said.“You might get yourself killed.”
“Noted.For the record, you are wicked fast.You were on me before I could even react.”
“One of my talents,” I said dryly.
Darion raised a single eyebrow and gave a half smile.His expression plainly said,I’d love to see some of your other talents.My face burned.One ofhistalents was clearly flirting savagely without even speaking.It was infuriating how easily he got past my defenses.
We stared at each other for way too long.This wasn’t me.I didn’t let people in.I couldn’t.I’d made the mistake of trusting people before.Letting them get too close.Telling them secrets.And it had backfired in the worst possible way.
Darion finally broke the silence.“Should we find a place to eat?”
This was spiraling out of control.Now we were going to eat together, like a picnic?
I felt trapped.I couldn’t just turn him away after he’d gotten that food and come all the way out here.But this was not what I had planned for my afternoon.
I sighed.“We’re close to my foraging spot.There’s a place we can sit.”
I wasn’t excited about revealing where I got my goldvein root, but I was already in deep, and my current assessment was that Darion posed no threat.Either that or he was a very competent liar.
After a short walk farther down the path, I spotted the boulder at the trail’s edge that marked where to turn.I quickly found the primitive trail I always took to the foraging spot.
“Where are you taking me, exactly?”Darion asked after a few minutes of walking.
“Almost there.It’s worth the hike.”
Soon, the forest opened onto a clearing filled with tall grasses and brilliant wildflowers in orange, purple, and red, their perfume floating on a gentle breeze.On the left side of the clearing was a small waterfall about ten feet high, splashing into a glimmering pool.
Darion’s eyes sparkled as he took in the scene.“You weren’t kidding about it being worth it.This place is beautiful.”
I pointed at a smattering of plants growing near the pond.“It’s a perfect place for goldvein root.With morning sun, afternoon shade, and plentiful water, this place was practically designed for it.”
Darion nodded in appreciation.“Should we forage first or eat first?”
At the mention of eating, my treacherous stomach let out an audible growl.
He laughed.“I guess that’s my answer.Good thing I brought food.”
I still couldn’t shake the feeling that this whole thing was a little…odd?What was his angle?What was he getting out of this?He couldn’t have come all this way just for my company.That sort of thing didn’t happen to me—I never let it, unless my meddling sister got involved.
For now, I’d play along.I’d see where this was going and try to uncover hisrealmotivations.
We found a flat spot near the pond, dappled with shade from the nearby trees.Darion laid out a small blanket he had packed, then sat down on it and tapped the spot next to him.“Come join me.”
I did as he said while he unpacked the food.He made little sandwiches from the bread, meat, and cheese as I popped a grape into my mouth.The whole thing felt ridiculous.
When he handed me one of the sandwiches, I couldn’t take it anymore.“Can I ask why you’re doing this?”
“Does no one in your life do nice things for you just because?”
“Not generally.”
“Well, if you need a reason,” Darion said, “then it’s because you’re nice to take the time to do this.Just paying you back.Plus the company isn’t bad.”
He smiled.Still, for a moment, I could swear there was something else behind his eyes.Was it excitement?Fear?Deception?
Once my stomach was full, I tried my hardest to relax.We chatted about the weather, the state of the streets in Analon, and other inconsequential things.Darion mentioned nothing personal, and neither did I.In my line of work, it was smart to keep things close to your chest.I’d never liked deciding what to reveal and what to hide, so avoiding everything suited me just fine.
