Page 28 of Too Hexed to Handle

Leaves clank behind us. Louder and too violent to be wind-touched. Trembling, I pull away from his embrace to see two individuals emerging from between the trees – the dead man’s missing comrades from the inn last night. The woman is short, but no less dangerous for it, with twin daggers strapped to her thighs. Her black hair is neatly braided. Towering at her side, her companion carries a bow and quiver of arrows.

Astin looks down at me, and the concern in his expression can’t be masked by the flippancy in his words when he says, ‘Reckon you can run over there and kiss them before he shoots?’

10

I have never been less inclined to kiss anyone in my life.

Fortunately, despite how heavily armed they are, they make no move for their weapons. The woman smiles as she approaches, although I’ve no idea what there is to be pleased about. The corpse in my peripheral vision is a punch to the gut.

‘Oh, Brandon.’ She sighs. ‘Spent last night trying to convince us we should pick off the competition. Told him he’d meet a sticky end, but did he listen? Nope. And here we are.’ Her gaze locks on me. ‘How’d you do it?’

I chew my lip. She could be feigning her indifference to his death, and already be plotting her revenge for once she’s confirmed her suspicions I’m responsible. A quick sniff reveals nothing; her emotions are as bland as chalk.

‘Nothing to tell you,’ I settle for saying. ‘He . . . dropped down dead.’

‘Man’s got a blade to your throat, and you thought you’d kiss him for fun?’ She raises a brow, while dread is a sinking stone in my stomach. I hate the idea of anyone seeing what I did. ‘What’s your name?’

‘Tell us yours first.’ It’s Astin who answers, his palm still resting on my lower back, warm and reassuring.

‘Not sure you’re in a position to be asking the questions.’ She taps the hilt of her blade. ‘But I’m Nuri. This is Cale.’

She gestures at the gangly man, who’s busy looking at her as though she’s more impressive than any emerald glade. Interesting. I wonder if she knows.

‘A sensible pair would take this as a sign to go home,’ she says. ‘Brandon won’t be the last to do something silly over this reward. Better get out now, while you can.’

‘Is that a threat?’ Astin says.

She grins. ‘An observation. I’ve been encouraging people not to kill one another, I’ll have you know. Which leads me back to you, and my dear friend Brandon. You still haven’t told me how you killed him.’

‘I didn’t kill him.’

‘Uh-huh, sure you didn’t.’ She studies me. ‘You got poison on your lips?’

‘. . . No.’ It’s the truth, as far as I know. I’m unclear how my hex works, only that it does, and I hate myself for it.

‘Some kind of magic then. Are you a witch?’

I frown at the unfamiliar word, as does her companion. At our expressions, she purses her lips and makes another guess. ‘Or one of those . . . Soulthingys?’

Astin flinches, while I bristle. Must be nice to grow up so unafraid of them you don’t even know their name. She’s about to head out in search of a cure for something she doesn’t understand.

‘No, I’m not a Souleater,’ I tell her. Saying it doesn’t feel like a lie, as though I’ve worn the mask of normality so long it’s melded to my skin. ‘And I’ve never heard of a witch.’

‘Oh.’ Amusement dances in her dark eyes. ‘I read about them in a story somewhere. Now come on. If you won’t heed my warning about turning round, the least I can do is help your friend get you to the party safely. He seems very concerned about you.’

It’s true, Astin is growing increasingly agitated, shifting on the balls of his feet, the smell of anger and smoke growing strong enough to pick out from the jumble of his emotions. It intensifies at her words, while her smile grows wider.

‘Come on, come on,’ she says, gesturing at Cale. ‘He knows a shortcut.’

Cale looks delighted to be bestowed some of her attention, while Astin and I exchange a glance. Following them means trusting they’ll lead us to the ruins, but unless I plan to kiss more people today – which I do not – all we have against their litany of weapons is Astin’s knuckles.

‘It’ll be fine,’ I whisper, unsure if I’m reassuring him or myself. ‘If she wanted to hurt us, she’d have attacked already.’

Astin merely scowls as we trudge after them, his focus fixed on Nuri’s knives. I have to admit, for someone who claims she’s encouraging a non-violent approach to this quest, her appearance suggests the opposite. Her clothes are plain, form-fitting, and her muscular build suggests she’d have no trouble defending herself against another competitor if required.

The emerald continues throughout the forest, wrapping itself around trees and branches with no thought for the life it’s choked out beneath. The least it could do is make itself useful, but if it’s as indestructible as it appears, it can’t even solve our money woes.

Eventually, the trees clear, and we find ourselves facing a bridge stretching over a ravine, leading the way into the ruins. Not that they’re all that ruined, not any more. Nestled between the forest on the other side, the old castle looms, but its stone too is encased in emerald, turning it into something from a storybook, all gleaming walls and polished brick. It would be perfect if it weren’t for the spots where pieces have crumbled away and fallen to the depths below – a tower is missing on the right-hand side – making the whole building jagged and uneven. It’s got more roof issues than the inn.