The bell above the door chimes, and I turn to see two figures step inside. On closer inspection, I realize they’re elvish guards. Great.
My heart begins to race as they enter and eye Daegan, walking slowly around him.
It’s fine. We’ve been walking all over this town and no one has suspected us.
I don’t like the way they’re still watching him, though.
Daegan acts completely natural, but I know he’s fully aware of what’s happening around him. He takes a couple vials from the shopkeeper and thanks him.
One of the guards steps closer, his hand on the hilt of his sword at his hip. They haven’t noticed me in this dark corner at the back of the shop yet, I don’t think.
My breathing slows as I watch the guard study Daegan. I don’t like the look on his face.
“Do I know you?” the guard asks Daegan at last.
He turns to look at the guard who’s almost a head shorter than him. “Don’t think so.”
“Hmm. What business are you on outside of Ellyar?” At least the ears are convincing. He thinks Daegan is an elf.
Daegan shrugs. “No business. Just pleasure.”
The guard still doesn’t look done.
I take a step and then in a flash, Daegan’s ruthless side emerges. He knocks the first guard to the ground with one powerful punch, slits his throat with a knife I didn’t even notice him grabbing, then immediately whirls on the other, stabbing him in the side. They both drop.
He throws some coins on the counter, runs for me and grabs my hand, then we sprint out of the shop together.
I follow him into the street toward our horse, but then he stops and quickly turns around. I’m confused, but I follow him. When I glance back over my shoulder, I realize why we diverted. There are two more elvish guards clad in their shining armor standing between us and the horse.
Daegan makes a sharp turn, and we run through a dark alley. Small rodents scurry among scraps of food as we come to a halt at the end, then he quickly grabs me at the waist and hoists me over the crumbling stone wall. I sit at the top for a pause, then jump down to the other side. It’s not high and my landing is clean. He lands on his feet beside me a moment later, then grabs my hand again and begins running.
We pivot again as we catch sight of three more guards at the end of the narrow street. They look like they’re searching diligently, and I’m pretty certain one of them is the guard Daegan stabbed in the side. He survived.
“Fuck,” he mutters. “I should have slit his fucking throat.”
I don’t argue. If these guards catch us, they could jeopardize the entire mission. That’s not going to happen, though.
Before any of them catch sight of us, Daegan opens a door on the side of a large, black, shabby building that looks like an old inn. We hurry inside, shutting the door behind us.
After a quick check of the room, he turns to face me. The look in his eyes makes me nervous. Whatever he’s about to say next, I don’t like it already. “Did they see you at all? In the shop?”
“No.”
“Then it’s only me they’re searching for. I think for your safety, we need to split up. Get back to the inn and I’ll meet you there.”
“No,” I say immediately.
“Elle—”
“We are in this together. We’re not splitting up again if we can help it. Ever. You promised.”
“You tried to have us split up when we sneak into the castle.”
“That’s different.”
“Is it?”
I cross my arms in a show of obstinate defiance. I know he’s right, but I’m not backing down.
