Marin huffed a breath, hands landing on her hips. “You’re not instilling a lot of confidence in me. You should let me buy that scythe.”
I tossed the coin pouch in the air and caught it in my fist. “How about lunch instead? Then we hit the road. The Fields of Futile Escape wait for no one.”
Marin groaned. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “More than you know.”
Chapter 33
Marin
The tall grass swayedin the breeze, its soft blades tickling my elbows as we made our way through the dense field.
We’d already covered a good distance, setting out after our detour through the sky market to purchase our cloud tokens. They’d cost a fortune. At this rate, Gavin probably regretted funding our expedition.
Gavin’s pack hung loosely over his shoulder, alongside his new addition: a razor-sharp cutlass, sheathed in a leather scabbard across his back. The way he’d admired it in the market, showing it off to me while we ate lunch, made me think he’d finally found his one true love. Meanwhile, I’d been demoted to the sidekick in my own story.
Talk about sword envy.
But being the selfless partner that I was, I let it go and focused on my acquisition: magic sound-casting darts that can mimic footsteps and even muffled voices. I also picked up a pot of red paint.
I wasn’t exactly sure how we were going to solve the maze portion yet, but we’d need something to mark our path. The rest, I’d figure out later. Assuming we didn’t perish on the way there like so many others before us, or like Gavin kept grumbling, die in a tragic fall from sketchy cloud tokens.
The man hadn’t spent three years cursed as a mermaid. He didn’t understand the complexities of magic. Or maybe he just had something against grizzled merchants who picked their teeth.
“You know,” I said, trailing my fingers over the tops of the grass. “The Fields of Futile Escape are lovely this time of year. It’s very tranquil.”
Gavin grunted a few feet ahead of me. “Just because it looks peaceful, doesn’t mean there aren’t beasts crawling around in here. Remember the fields outside of Crows Hollow? Keep your eyes peeled.”
I rolled them instead. “You mean when I was dragged to the ground by that vicious, evil creature with teeth the size of corn kernels? And claws that wouldn’t even rip through paper? It was so cute with its thick fur and soulful eyes.”
“I thought you were being mauled,” he muttered, swatting the grass with his forearm. “I’m convinced you enjoy taking years off my life. Actually, I’m surprised there are any years left. I should be six feet under by now.”
I tried to adopt a serious expression that didn’t last. “I don’t enjoy it, per se… Though technically, yes, I was being mauled. By a wet nose and a slobbery tongue.”
Gavin glared at me over his shoulder.
“Oh, come on! That ball of fur was adorable. I was heartbroken Bowen wouldn’t let me keep it. Our crew needed a pet. Reid agreed with me, too. I think he wanted to study it. Teach it tricks.”
I doubled my steps to catch up with Gavin and kept up with his long strides.
“How is Reid, by the way? I know he works for the paper now.”
Gavin slowed, his body tensing. His grip clenched around the strap of his pack, knuckles going white.
“What is it?”
We stopped in the middle of the field. Gavin exhaled sharply and dropped his chin to his chest.
“Just tell me.”
He hesitated. “Reid is… dead.”
My arms curled tightly over my stomach as if I could soften the blow. “When? What happened? I just saw his last article a week ago.”
“You know Reid, always chasing a story. This one was too big, even for him. He infiltrated a gang and…” Gavin’s throat worked. He stared at the grass. “Bowen and I were there. We tried to stop it. We couldn’t. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
There was an edge to his voice. Something caught between guilt and frustration.
