I snapped my gaze up before I got caught looking. Too late.His smile widened.
“Or how your eyes sparkle like gemstones when you want to wring my neck.”
I inhaled deeply, trying to slow my racing heart. It fluttered one second, then burned into a hate-fueled blaze the next.
This was absurd. We’d flay each other alive on this hunt. And I wasn’t sure either of us would be left standing by the end of it.
Why did he do it? Why couldn’t he have left me alone?
I needed to get this over with before I changed my mind and stormed back to Cass’s place empty-handed with nothing but wasted time and an eyeful of upper body perfection. Neither of which was getting me any closer to completing my mission.
Glaring at the seeds strung around his neck, I forced my teeth apart. “I’ve considered your offer. And since I have less than two weeks to find the shard… and no proper plan of retaliation,” I muttered the last part under my breath. “I accept your terms.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.”
I folded my arms, a silent question burning like coal in my throat. He owed me an answer.
“Why are you doing this?” I meant to sound forceful, but the words came out soft, and laced with misery.
Gavin swallowed, his eyes unfocusing somewhere over my shoulder. The breeze rippled through his hair, and for a long moment, he said nothing. Then he shrugged.
“Treasure, of course. I have it on good authority that the shard isn’t the only riches hidden inside that castle. It’s been a while since my last hunt.”
“Gold.” My eyes stung. I looked up at the sky so he wouldn’t see. “The only thing you love more than yourself. I shouldhave guessed.”
“Yeah.” He kicked at the grass and squared his jaw. “A thief’s gotta eat.”
“Fine. I want to leave immediately. Today. The faster we get up there, the faster we go our separate ways.” I grabbed the bag at my feet. “Just so we're clear. We’re not partners. We’re just going in the same direction.”
Gavin eyed my pack, the borrowed clothes, and the boots that pinched my feet.
“Can’t today. I have plans this evening.”
I threw up my hands. “You have plans? Let’s not let a silly thing likesaving my lifeget in the way of your drunken debauchery. How about next week? Maybe a month from now, when I’m already dead. Would that be more convenient for you?”
Gavin didn’t answer. He walked toward the ladder where a bag sat in the dirt. From it, he pulled a heavy-looking pouch and a folded piece of paper, then offered both to me.
“Come back tonight. We’ll organize our gear and leave at first light. In the meantime, here’s a list of what I need. Feel free to grab a few extra things for yourself. Boots that fit would be a good start.”
He dropped the pouch of coins into my hand, and I scowled. “You expect me to do your shopping while you’re off gallivanting in a tavern?”
Gavin’s expression hardened as he leaned in, voice scraping across my nerve endings. “I expect you to be prepared for this hunt, Marin. Not showing up in Cass’s hand-me-downs. You want to leave quickly? Good. So do I. Then do it right, or I’ll chain you up and go by myself.”
I swallowed my retort, bristling at his taunting threat. Hewasn’t wrong. And I hated that. I was cutting corners, rushing, when slowing down and thinking through each step was the safer choice. The right choice.
Then again, if we fail, all Gavin loses is some gold. I lose my life.
“I’ll be back tonight,” I said, tucking the pouch into my bag. “You better be ready. And if you smell like liquor and cheap perfume, I swear, you’ll regret it.”
Gavin waved as I stalked through the grass. “So glad we came to an understanding. Oh, and it’s not on the list, but maybe buy me an extra shirt. That way, you’re not so distracted next time.”
I seethed at his parting words.
He was going to pay for that.
***
Cass dumped a handful of coins into her palm and peered into the bottom of the bag.
