TALEN’S POV
“Let him go.” I cock my head at the Outerlander as I take a slow step forward. “And no one needs to get hurt.”
Clenching my fists, I keep my face calm, but these fucking ambushes won’t stop, every one of them throws another evacuation into chaos and it’s only a matter of time before I'm going to lose my shit.
Boots scrape over dry earth as the Outerlander shifts back, one hand pressing the knife harder into the Innerland child’s throat while the other lifts a small piece of draconite between us. It’s no larger than a pine nut, but it’s enough to mess with any normal Innerlander’s Threads.
Luckily, mine aren’t normal.
Behind him, three more bastards spread out across the open clearing, eyes narrow, shoulders tight, all of them looking far too ready to turn this into a fight.
“Thomas—!” The mother screams, twisting hard against Luc’s grip, desperate to reach her son.
The father lunges with her, wild-eyed and shaking, but Luc hauls them both back before either of them can make this any worse. None of them have access to their magic, including Luc.
“We’re supposed to be in Moorsend already,” Luc grits out, shooting me an impatient look as the muscles in his arms flex under the strain of the parents. “Reya and Daz will be waiting. And if we’re not back before the Innerland patrol shift changes in twenty-seven minutes?—”
“Not helping, Luc!” I snap, or maybe Cal does, I can’t bloody tell today. He’s in a terrible mood, no surprise there, and all I want is to get this evac done, then try and get out to see Lyra before the Census meeting this afternoon.
I didn’t get to talk to her after the briefing last week, and she hasn’t replied to any of my letters since.
I need to know why.
I can’t fucking think about anything else, and it’s driving me crazy.
“Let him go,” I repeat, my focus returning to the knife pressed against the young boy’s throat. “This is your last chance. Walk away, and no one gets hurt.”
“Why should we?” The Outerlander snarls, flashing a mouthful of missing teeth as he glances at the three others. “You lot are constantly killing us.”
How the hell Lyra calls the Outerlands home is beyond me. I hate this damn place.
Lifting my hands, I let the corner of my mouth curve. “Because if you don’t let the child go, I’m going to have to make you.”
“I’d like to see you try,” he sneers, raising the small piece of draconite between us. Its metallic sheen catches the afternoon light as a grin spreads beneath his patchy beard.
“Why are you warning them?”Cal growls. “Just end this.”
Locking my jaw, I force him down and return my attention to the scum in front of me, but Cal claws at the edges of my mind hard enough to make my eye twitch.
“Mum—!” The kid cries, eyes wide in fear as the blade dimples across the skin at his neck.
Poor little guy can’t be more than seven, and I’m pretty sure he’s just pissed himself.
“If you don’t hand him over, I’ll kill all of you,” his father threatens, hurling his weight forward.
Luc grunts and drags him back before he gets himself killed, but the movement loosens his grip on the mother.
She sees the opening and takes it.
“Thomas!” she screams, tearing free and racing for her son.
“Grab her!” The toothless Outerlander barks.
The boy sobs. His father shouts after her. Luc curses and lunges too late.
Metal sings as three more blades slide free.
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
