“Assassins are not warriors. We don’t fight fair. We don’t battle, and we don’t give forewarnings. We strike when we know we’ll win. In the silence, when you least expect us. You survived Kost because Iky was concealed. You survived Calem because he gave you the opportunity to summon your beasts. But let me tell you something, Leena…”
I positioned myself directly in front of her.
She froze, not backing down but visibly wary.
“No matter how hard you try, no matter how many battles you win, you will never survive me.”
And that was the honest truth.
Nine
Leena
Much to Kost’s frustration, we started late the next morning. I’d maxed out my talents by calling forth three beasts at once, and the heavy fatigue in my system was determined to keep me rooted in place. We were only a day’s ride away from Ortega Key, but if I didn’t get my ass in gear, we’d have to make camp again.
When the unbearable midmorning rays smashed against the canvas of my tent, baking me alive, I finally packed my things, ignoring the weight of Kost’s eyes inking a healthy target between my shoulder blades. Zeelahs already waiting, he led the way, leaving Noc and Calem to ride in front of Ozias and me.
“How you holding up?” Ozias reached into his pocket and offered me a handful of almonds.
I popped a few salty morsels in my mouth and chewed slowly. “I’m tired.”
Several feet in front of us and engaged in their own conversation, Noc and Calem spoke softly, quiet words laced with something I couldn’t place. Heavy shoulders and dark clouds in his eyes, Noc was beyond approach.
“I’d be tired, too, if I summoned three beasts at once.” Ozias pulled me back, swapping almonds for a canteen, and I accepted.
“Yeah.” I swallowed water tinged with the distinct tang of metal. “What’s up with Calem?”
Ozias shrugged. “Wounded pride?”
“Is that all it takes to get him to leave me alone?”
“Hardly.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “He’ll be back at it in no time.”
“He’s a flirt, but nothing I can’t handle.” My gaze slid past Calem to Kost’s stiff frame. “Kost, on the other hand…”
Ozias chuckled. “You did threaten to murder him.” I grimaced, and his grin deepened. “He certainly has some wounded pride going on, but you’ll never have to worry about him flirting with you like Calem does. He’s not interested in women.”
“Oh.” I brushed a stray leaf off my bare arm. I’d changed into a fresh sleeveless tunic and linen pants right after waking, but the grime of fighting Calem remained on my skin.
Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of broadleaf trees. Giasem brush lined the crumbling dirt path, and their curved leaves held crystalized droplets of water. With each passing breeze, a wondrous mixture of jasmine and lavender with a hint of lemon escaped from their bell-shaped flowers.
A stray beam of light illuminated Ozias’s face, and he closed his eyes and tipped his chin to the sky. I couldn’t help but smile. “Oz, is anyone waiting for you back home?”
“Oz?” He opened his eyes, a tease lingering in his gaze. “That my new name?”
“If it doesn’t bother you.”
“No, I kinda like it.” He smiled to himself and patted the striped hide of his Zeelah’s neck. “But to answer your question, no. Definitely not.”
“How come?”
“I’m too shy.”
I blinked. “No, you’re not.”
“You’re the only woman outside of Cruor I’ve talked to for more than five minutes without putting my foot in my mouth.” He paused, tossing me a sidelong glance before gripping the reins of his Zeelah. “I’m not an easy guy to approach to begin with. I know that. And then…I dunno. It’s like my mind goes blank. With you, it’s different.”
Oz was a dominating figure—there was no denying that. But beneath his hulking frame was a friendly and sweet gentle giant. His eyes searched my face for an answer, and I exhaled a low breath. “Call it a Charmer’s perk.”
