Page 75 of Facade

“What’s your role in this? You say you don’t know me, so you’re what? A hired sword?”

He smiled, the look almost wicked. My stomach fluttered.

“Something like that.”

“What are you?” I whispered.

“Didn’t I tell you it’s rude to ask beings what they are?” He moved closer, echoing his words from Thaddeus’s. I glared at him, craning my neck.

“Isn’t it equally rude to sniff a female like an animal, saying ‘it’s true’?” I imitated his voice, crossing my arms and rolling my eyes. The rumble in his chest gave me deep satisfaction. “You don’t see me commenting on your scent or your stupid, long hair.” I audibly swallowed at his proximity. His scent of leather and cedar, with a hint of mint, was intoxicating, my stomach twisting traitorously. However, my composure held as he evaluated me, one brow raised. Then he let loose a chuckle, the deep sound stroking something within me.

“You have a point. I apologize, Evanee. Would you like to comment on my scent? Or say anything more about my hair that you deem too long?” My toes curled at the sound of my name, just as his attention flicked down to my bare feet. Great.

“Nope,” I gulped.

“Okay! Let’s finish this,” Aniah’s voice flitted in from outside. Ryker stepped away from me, his gaze grazed over me once more before he placed himself at the entrance again, in that nonchalant stance of his.

Aniah approached with a goblet in her hands.

“Now, you drink.” She offered it to me, and my stomach seized at the contents sloshing within.

“Here, this will help,” she said, holding out a clear bottle of amber liquid. “Whiskey.” I gratefully took the bottle from her, then reluctantly grabbed the goblet.

Inhaling deeply, I shut my eyes and chugged. The thick contents filled my throat, making me gag several times, until it was empty. I quickly flipped the stopper off the whiskey and took a big swig to wash away the metallic, bitter taste coating my mouth. My throat burned, and my stomach lurched, but I clamped my lips together, keeping the contents from gushing back out. After one more hefty swig of whiskey, I shuddered, placing my hands on my knees.

“How long will it take?” I fought another gag as a burp worked its way up. Ryker bit his cheek, as if biting back a laugh. I didn’t even have the energy to scowl. So I flipped him off. His answering chuckle soothed me as much as the whiskey. However, I refused to let him see that.

“It’s different for everyone and depends on how much memory I was able to retrieve. I’m sorry to say that my magic has been dormant for many years, making me weak. I don’t know how much I was able to get, but you should have some memories come back at the very least,” she said.

“You mean I might have to do that again?” The blood drained from my face. Would there even be time before we reach Castle Lawryn?

“We need to get her back,” Freesia said, running into the cave’s entrance. “It’s been too long.”

“She’s right, Aniah. We don’t have time to wait and see whether it’s worked or not,” Ryker added.

“Wait—” I cut in. “If you were my… friend, in the past, why can’t I stay?” I looked at Aniah, then at the others; Ryker’s jaw was set, his gaze avoiding mine. I thought of Aiden—of leaving him, and my heart lurched a little. But I couldn’t surpass this chance. Not when I royally screwed up my last opportunity.

“I’m so sorry, but it’s too soon,” Aniah said, her voice filled with sadness. “We have to wait until our allies are ready to help us escape this realm. Timing is everything. And I mean no offense, but until you remember us, we already run a great risk.”

I gritted my teeth, stomach sinking.

“I wouldn’t say anything.” Anger seeped into my words. Because I wouldn’t—despite how bizarre this was, there was a part of me that knew I could trust them. “And I’m just a human slave. I don’t think they would hunt the ends of the world to find me,” I mumbled the last bit.

“I believe you. But we can’t risk it just yet. You trusted me with the potion, now I’m asking you to trust me with this.”

“So I’m just to… what, go back and play prisoner? Be the good little human slave—”

“You’re not human, and you are no one’s slave.” Ryker’s voice dropped, a rumble sounding from deep within his chest. Silver slid through the blue in his eyes as his fists curled.

“Ryker!” Aniah reprimanded. But I paid her no attention. My heart stuttered—then stopped.

The world around me faded away as his words settled in.

“What do you mean I’m not human?” I whispered.

Dead silence. From all three of them. Until Freesia’s head tilted to the side, as if she were focusing on the sounds around us, eyes widening. “You have to take her now!” she hissed.

Ryker copied Freesia’s motion, listening, his brows drawing down. “She’s right. Let’s go.” They both moved quickly, exiting the cave.