I didn’t blame him, and I did understand, but I also didn’t care. My mother’s life was on the line; he could hate me, but he wouldn’t stand in my way of saving her.
“You’re not welcome here,” Tucker stated.
“Is Ryker here?”
“No.”
“Where is he?”
I didn’t ask if Tucker knew where he was; I was certain he did.
“He’s not here.”
“Then where?”
Tucker crossed his arms over his chest and clamped his lips together. He didn’t speak again as he stared at me.
He was finally the one to break the silence. “Don’t come back here, Ellery.”
“I’m not leaving until I talk to him.”
He turned toward the guard. “Get her out of here. If she comes back, stick an arrow in her ass.”
My hand fell to my dagger’s handle when the guard approached me. “If you touch me, I’ll cut off your hand. I’m not kidding.”
The man hesitated before glancing at Tucker. These amsirah were displaced from their homes; they were angry and willing to kill for this small piece of security they’d found in the forest, but they were also farmers, merchants, and laborers who weren’t used to fighting and especially not a woman.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Ellery,” Tucker warned.
“Then tell me where he is.”
“No. Now go.”
When Tucker turned and started walking away, panic spurred me forward. The guard reached for me, but I shoved his hand away and unsheathed my dagger.
When I waved it at him, he backed away enough that I skirted past him and rushed after Tucker. Immortals turned to watch as I chased him; a few drew their weapons, but none came after me.
“Tucker, wait!” I gasped. “Ihaveto speak to him.”
“Go home, Ellery.”
“No.”
I caught up to him and, grabbing his arm, jerked him around. The look on his face was pure malice as his mouth twisted into a snarl.
CHAPTEREIGHT
Ellery
“The duke took my mother!”I blurted. “He’s had her imprisoned, and Ihaveto get her back.”
He blinked at me as my words sank in and he relaxed beneath my hand.
“His father came to me while Ryker was visiting his mother’s property,” I rushed to get out. I’d made a dent in Tucker’s armor, and I would hammer at it. “He threatened me, my mother, and Ryker. The duke told me he’d imprison my mother if I didn’t end things with Ryker.
“He told me he’d be the first to rape her and would ensure she continued to endure such brutalityeveryday for the rest of her life. He also threatened to imprison Ryker. I couldn’t let them suffer because of me, but he… he….”
When my voice broke, I cursed myself. I wouldnotcry. I would not fall apart when I was closer than ever to finding Ryker.
