Page 67 of Anywhere

“Ya scared of a wee lass?” I asked, mocking him.

“Scared? Try annoyed. You didn’t have a clue who I was or if I’d hurt those people, and yet, you were trying to take my life. How does that make you any better than those who killed the people in the village?”

I just blinked at him, not certain what he was saying. But enough that he was upset at me for thinking he hurt the villagers.

It hurt my pride to admit, but I didn’t think it was them either now that I had met them. People who could callously burn down a whole village had to be powerful, like these two, but they also didn’t care about life. I didn’t get that sense from these men. Maybe my powers were depleted to useless in this room, but I didn’t need them to see the hurt and anger in Rook’s eyes now or the shock Rhys got when I told him that I thought it was him.

“I’ma sowwy dat me tried ta stab ya in da face,” I said.

This time, Rook stared at me, his stunning blue eyes blinking. I shook my head as I realized that he understood me about as well as I understood him. Well, wasn’t this fun? The two that didn’t understand one another trying to communicate.

“I think you said sorry. I’m not sure,” Rook said and then mumbled something I didn’t understand under his breath.

“Ya be angry at dem or me?” I asked.

Rook sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, and my eyes wandered over his tall form. He made me warm in this dank room, and I suddenly felt like I was wearing too much under my cloak.

“Neither.”

“Ya be actin’ like ya are.”

He rubbed at his eyes. “I know I am. Look, I really don’t want to stand down here in this stank. If I let you out, will you behave until we get a chance to talk?”

I was pretty sure he wanted to let me out to talk, so I nodded and slowly stood from the bed. Anything that got me out of this room that felt like death and gave me my powers back was a good thing. The door made a heavy clanging noise as Rook unlocked it and pulled it open.

“Cannie ‘ave me stuff?”

“By stuff, if you mean your weapons, then no. Do I look like I was born yesterday?”

“What do beenz born yezterdayz ‘ave ta do wit’ me stuff?”

Rook shook his head. “I have no fucking clue what you just said to me.”

Sighing, I walked towards him and stared up into his eyes. “Me dinnie know what yer sayin ta me,” I answered.

He smacked his hand over his face before he stepped back out of the way. “Fucking Rhys and his fucking bright ideas. Never mind. Follow me.” He motioned for me to walk behind him.

Rook had shown great skill out in the forest, but if he was a warrior, he didn’t show it now. If I’d meant to kill him, I could’ve jumped on his back and done just that. The idea crossed my mind but left just as quickly. As much as I wanted out of this place, I only hurt those who were out to hurt me or other innocent lives. My gut screamed that these two didn’t hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it.

He opened the thick door and stepped out into the hall. There was a buzz in the air that I could feel, and I knew this was the only opportunity there would be to escape. Picking the spell in my head, I stepped over the threshold and sucked in a deep breath as my abilities filled me. There was no feeling to describe having your powers stripped away like that, even for a short time.

Rook stepped away from the door and snapped his fingers to close it rather than turning his back to me like I’d hoped for. Forced to improvise, I threw my arms out in his direction.

“Gaoth,” I yelled and hit him with the spell.

He flew back and slammed into the wall with a thud. I sucked in a sharp breath as an ache exploded in my back. Rook slid down and groaned, a small trickle of blood smeared on the rock. The pull I felt at the cliffs returned, and it staggered me. I gripped my stomach and looked down to see if I could find what was making me feel this way. The air shimmered, and my body began to shiver.

What in the manner of all spirits was this magic? And why had it attached itself to me? I needed to get away from him and this magic as fast as possible. Yet the pained look on his face as he slouched over hurt my heart. I was torn, wanting to run, but needing to stop to see if Rook was all right.

Dinnie be a donkey. Run! Run now!

Clenching my teeth, I ran up the stairs, my feet echoing in the hallway. This place was a maze, but I managed to weave my way out by paying attention to the statues and unique decorations I’d seen.

“Dammit, Elewyen.” Rook’s angry voice growled out of the lower hallway like a monster coming from the darkest depths.

My stomach clenched tight. That sound made me want to run to the door and run to the man. My mind was warring with the emotions bombarding me. It was fear for Keeva that won out. Picking up my tunic so I didn’t trip, I ran for the final hallway and the door that led out of this place.

Rook’s feet were getting louder, and a strange thrill raced down my spine at the thought of him chasing me. It was too inviting of an image. I wasn’t sure what he would do once he caught me but seeing what was under that black top of his was suddenly very intriguing.