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Maybe I should have allowed myself to be captured in Edgehallow, because at least Veradin would learn of my failure. We could have searched for and pivoted to a backup plan right away. The only thing of value I gained from the last wasted week is Agnar and whatever knowledge he possesses.

The dire wolf responds to my emotions by baring his teeth. Agnar doesn’t move, except to raise one eyebrow at me.

Whether he’s lying or telling the truth, Veradin will know what to do with him.

Undoing the length of soft leather Agnar once used to tie me up from my belt, I decide it’s time to turn the tides. “Hold out your hands.”

Chapter Nineteen

Agnar

Anger bubbles under my skin as Esme loops the bindings around my wrists and orders me to walk back to camp, the dire wolf guarding my every step. The scenario might be hot if not for the giant murder dog—who the fuck knew those still existed—peering at me as if hoping I’ll screw up so he can have a midnight snack. Instead, the situation’s sad rather than kinky.

Also infuriating. My blood blazes with the desire to break something…preferably the wolf’s or possibly even Esme’s head.

One silver lining exists, though.

Esme just proved she’s more than the naive girl she presents herself as. She played me from the start. Why else would she take me captive when she could simply run? If her story about the Everhand was true, she’d want nothing more than to get back to her mentor and explain what happened so they could search elsewhere.

Esme timed this well. I’ll give her that. After a battle with an unkillable, untouchable monster, I’ve been awake for two days, marching, running from the alicorn, and carrying and protecting her on and off.

I’m exhausted.

Now is not the best occasion to test my luck with a predator the size of a small horse, especially with his teeth pointed right at my cock. I’d rather not lose that, thank you very much.

That’s what I get for trusting her.

When we reach camp, Esme quickly throws our things together, then rips a length of fabric off her tunic, holding it up to my face.

My lip curls into a snarl that rivals the wolf’s. “Really? Are you serious?”

Esme lifts her chin, all big and brave now that she has me bound and outnumbered. “My mentor’s location is secret. Has been for decades, and I’m not compromising that for you.”

As if I won’t know where I am just because I can’t see. Does she really…

She really does.

Even after everything she’s seen me do, she has no idea what I’m capable of.

The wolf’s growl deepens in warning.

Esme retreats to what she must believe is a safe distance.

I speak with derision, deliberately pissing her off to see the wolf’s response. “Tell me about your mentor. What sort of mentor is he? Is he the one who taught you to lie and connive and scheme? If you’re going to take me hostage, you may as well admit the truth.”

Esme gasps, and her knee jerks as if she wants to stomp her foot. “I haven’t lied about anything. I’ve only ever spoken the truth. I simply didn’t tell you everything.”

The wolf licks his teeth again and shifts his weight onto his forelegs. His attention locks onto my crotch like a bull’s-eye.

I laugh off the uneasiness stirring in my stomach. The motley beast can’t understand what we’re saying. He’s merely reacting to Esme’s emotions.

And that is going to be their weak spot.

If I can keep her confused and off-balance, I can distract the dire wolf too. Just enough to turn my advantage when the time comes. “Sometimes, the information you neglect to share is worse than an outright lie.”

She snorts. “Okay, oh-wise-one. Tell me, did you come up with that yourself, or are you regurgitating a sermon from your childhood days?”

Scratch my previous decision. Maybe I do want to test myself against these beasts, tired or not. So far, I’ve faced a lot of challenges over the years. Drachen, Blair’s cooking, eyril-tainted dragons, an entire army of people mind-slaved to a mad god, Rose’s incessant babbling… So far, none were strong or lucky enough to kill me. They all represented various hazards, especially the drachen, but none thought the way a cunning human predator would.