“They’re stubborn fools,” another woman muttered as she hugged her daughter to her.
The tall woman didn’t acknowledge her words.“I’ve been spreading the word that the amsirah will be safe with you.”
“Great,” a poltergeist groused.“That means more of them will come.”
“And you’ll watch for them,” I said.“And you’ll help keep them safe.”
The poltergeist looked at me like I’d lost my mind, but then a flicker went through his red eyes before he bobbed a little in agreement.“We can keep them safe.”
The other floaters exchanged looks before also doing the strange poltergeist nod of agreement.I’d taken a risk by telling him they’d help us, but I’d instinctively known it would work.
The poltergeists had come to us with their offer to help build our army.They claimed it was because they hated the nobles, but I suspected it was something more.
Yes, they’d all been angry assholes in life, hence their status as poltergeists instead of ghosts, but most of them weren’t intrinsically bad.They were just assholes with a grudge.
But they were also assholes who wanted to help and sought a purpose in their afterlife.Right now, their only entertainment was scaring the shit out of people, they preferred if it literally happened, but they also sought more.
Helping us had given them a purpose; while they were grouchy bastards, they also needed that purpose.
CHAPTERSEVENTY-FOUR
Ryker
“Thank you for helping us,”I said to the woman.“We can take you to our encampment.”
“I’m not staying,” the woman said.“I just wanted to bring them.They were nervous about trying to find you, and I wasn’t sure how you would react to them if I wasn’t here.”
“Then what will you be doing?”
“Returning home.I’ll do more good by bringing others to you than if I go into hiding.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, but keep them safe.”
“We will,” I vowed.“What’s your name?”
“Val.”
I extended my hand to her.She stared at it with her mouth parted in disbelief; she’d probably never expected to touch an aristocrat, never mind have one offer their hand to her.
When she clasped my hand, I enclosed hers in both of mine.“I’m Ryker Locke.”
“I know.”
“No, you didn’t, not truly, but now you do.”
“Yes, I do.We all know now.”
Behind her, the women nodded while the children watched in confusion.“We’ll keep them safe, but you also have to keep yourself safe,” I told her.
A flicker of apprehension crossed her face.“I will, but it’s getting scarier out there.Your father….”
The words trailed off as her eyes darted away.“My father what?”
“Nothing, milord.”
“Don’t call me that; I’m not that man anymore.”
