“I guess that’s true,” I agreed, sitting back when Masu set a plate of eggs, toast, and assorted fruit in front of me.
“Thanks, Masu,” I said.
She brought a cup ofsziteover as well. “It is my pleasure.”
I smiled up at her as I picked up my fork and began eating. Once I started, I realized that I was ravenous and ate like astarving woman until the food was gone. It was only when I was done that I realized Guldan had watched me take every bite.
“You seem to be feeling much better this morning,” he commented.
“I am.”
“That is good. The general has asked me to take you into town in a short time. While he would prefer to do so himself, his business is keeping him from it.”
My inner alarm buzzed again. Louder this time. Guldan was lying straight to my face.
I glanced over at Masu. “Can you excuse us a moment, please?”
She smiled pleasantly and disappeared through the kitchen door into the hall. I had no doubt she was lingering nearby, hoping to hear every word. Honestly, I didn’t mind. She’d be able to give me good advice if she knew what was going on. There was still so much about this place that I didn’t understand.
When she disappeared from view completely, I glared at Guldan. “Why are you lying to me, Commander?”
His reply was immediate. “I am not lying.”
I couldn’t help the scoff that escaped me. “I may not be able to smell your emotions the way Bokkan does, but I understand people well enough to know when I’m being lied to. What’s going on?”
The commander took a deep breath, his eyes dropping to his fisted hands. They pressed down into the surface of the table as he studied them. Finally, he met my gaze again. “The general has asked me to escort you to the Shadow Forest. He sent word to the witch that lives there that you need passage back into the human realm.”
I stared at him in shock. “What?”
The food I’d just eaten rolled in my stomach, threatening to come right back up. Then, the betrayal hit. After everything he’d said to me yesterday, Bokkan was still sending me home.
Anger fired my blood, and I shoved my chair back to get to my feet. “Where is he?” I asked.
Guldan shook his head. “I cannot tell you, Lady Leda.”
No wonder he was speaking to me with so much respect today. He was probably gleeful that he was going to be rid of me!
I slammed my fist down on the table, causing the empty dishes to jump. There was an ominous splintering sound. I stared down at the wooden tabletop with wide eyes. There was a small crack in one of the rough planks that made up the tabletop.
The commander was right. Penumbra was changing me. I was strong but these planks were an inch thick. I shouldn’t be able to crack one with the small hit I’d just given the table.
“I am not going anywhere until I’ve spoken to Bokkan,” I stated, my teeth clenched with anger and hurt.
Not only was I going to speak to the daemon, but I was going to kick him in the balls for hurting me like this. He told me last night that he didn’t want to send me home and less than eight hours later, he changed his mind? It wasn’t right. Not at all.
“You will go if I have to tie you up with a rope and drag you behind my horse.”
There was the arrogant commander I’d met the first day I arrived in Penumbra.
My fingers reached down for the blade I’d strapped to my thigh. Talus’s blade. It had been in the bedchamber with my clothes this morning, so I’d tied it on as usual. The punch knife I’d used on the daemon was also in the bedchamber, so I’d tucked it back into my bra as I had before.
Guldan lifted his hands. “I would prefer we solve this without violence.”
“How do you suggest we do that? Because I can promise you that I will stab you with this knife if you come anywhere near me.” My index finger slid down the hilt to the cross guard.
He released a beleaguered sigh. “I am tired of arguing with stubborn creatures today. What will I have to do to get you to go to the Shadow Forest with me?”
“Let me speak to Bokkan.”
