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“Instead of arguing, Evelian,” Draven continued, “I’d count your blessings that he gets to live another day.”
Something in her—probably the Wraith—begged her to keep her mouth shut. But Lily had a hard time keeping quiet. She’d done it enough in her youth, and if she was really about to be carted back to Rimore, it wouldn’t be as the traumatized child Amalia found in Markoth.
If Rimore’s fearsome queen wanted an Imordial for the Wraith, then she’d give her one—if only to protect the Guardian’s current vessel.
She coolly retrieved their bags and stopped in front of Draven. “I’ll stay on my best behavior as long as you do, Hazevale.”
He didn’t react in any way that confirmed or denied her accusation. He stared at her a bit longer, then stepped aside, opening the door. Lily hurried out of the cramped space to a waiting Luka. Draven followed soon after, scooping her rifle off the ground.
He slung it over his shoulder, heading for the trail. “Keep up.”
Lily watched him walk ahead, stunned, until Luka reached for her hand. She grabbed it and squeezed, mind and body calming with his touch.
That could’ve gone much, much worse.
Chapter Fourteen
Lily was so tired she began to imagine what her own necro aura would look like after being run through by a shadow. It didn’t sound so terrible. Couldn’t be worse than the finality of a sharpened blade, but better than her bones being snapped one by one by someone like Neir.
Except every time she slowed, Draven, who seemingly vanished in the dark, would appear like his presence alone was a silent warning. Each instance reminded Lily it wasn’t her aura she had to worry about.
Long walks weren’t new to her. Tracking game could last days, and deliveries in Reave’s slums rarely involved transportation. The hike into Acadia took several hours one way.
She could handle it.
But when the sunrise teased between the trees ahead, her legs faded to total numbness. From the trip into town she started a day ago, the duress of Draven’s constant presence, coupled with both heavy packs strapped to her back, her growling stomach, and Luka whining at her heels, Lily’s caution burned dim, and her fury hot.
She abruptly stopped.
Luka bumped into her. “What…” Lily dropped the bags and herself to the ground in a heap. “Are we there?” he asked.
“Not even close!” Lily yelled into the woods. The echo bounced between the trees as she sighed, restraining her anger before speaking to Luka. “I need a break, bug.”
“I do too, but…” Luka sat with her. “Will he be mad?”
“Probably.” Lily kicked off her boots and leaned back against the bags, arms crossed. If she wanted to test boundaries, there was no better time to do it then while she was sleep deprived and starving. “But I’ll take care of him.”
Lily pulled him close just as Draven’s shadows overwhelmed the air. Ignoring their abductor, Lily stared ahead as his steps crunched through the leaves. Misty darkness landed in the corner of her eye.
Somehow, Draven’s tone was darker. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Lily adjusted herself—crossing one leg over the other and raising her chin. “Resting.”
“I didn’t realize that involved you screaming at the top of your lungs.”
The low pitch to his voice sent a chill down her spine. Maybe it would’ve been best to keep going…
A hunger pang reminded her of her building wrath.
Lily took in a long breath of the damp air and worked up the courage to look at him—a black ghoul in the early morning light. “I’ve got louder in me.”
He shot a breath out of his nose. “Get up.”
“I will. Later.”
Draven barked a laugh. “Consider challenging me carefully. I rarely lose.”
She hadn’t an honest clue how far away they were from civilization. She could guess based on how long they’d been walking, but rural as this area may or may not be, his reaction said all she needed it to: he wanted them quiet.
