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Verve held his gaze. “There is no other way. Not with Danya. I was a fool to hope otherwise.”
He deflated at the truth in her words. “I know. It’s just… You’re more than a killer, Verve. You always have a choice.”
A strangled laugh tore out of Verve’s throat as she bent to grab a handful of the bolts. “Killer or protector, it’s all the same right now, isn’t it?” She brandished the bolts. “This is what I am. This is why the One god set me on this path.”
Alem sprang up and knocked the bolts out of her hand. “That’s horseshit, Verve, and you know it.” He gripped her fingers and touched his other hand to her cheek. “Remember how you showed me your memories? That was a gift; I understand you so much better now. And I still say you can find another way.”
A gentle thumb swiped away her tears. Verve bit her tongue, savoring the pain that masked everything else, then pressed her palm over his. “I’m sorry, Alem,” she murmured, squeezing his hand. “But you’re wrong. I wish it wasn’t so. Stay here. Stay safe. I’ll be back soon.”
* * *
It took Verve the better part of a day to track down Ellory, deep in the pine forests to the east of Lotis. In this part of Greenhill Province, the trees blotted out all but the most determined rays of sunlight. Now, just before twilight, only meager light trickled through the pine boughs. A buzzing cicada song filled the air.
The shiftling had made good on her promise not to return to Lotis, but she hadn’t left the area. Odd, perhaps, but Verve wasn’t about to look a gift sickle-drake in the mouth — especially in the mouth.
Verve reached a pine-coated clearing and paused, ostensibly to sweep her gaze over the pines and the spiky palmettos. But her meridian senses revealed the intense curiosity prickled with irritation that was Ellory. The shiftling was close, determined… because she was now tracking Verve.
Perfect. Verve changed tactics and meandered toward the meeting place marked on the note the Chosen had left. For an hour or so, she kept her pace slow but steady, to show she was unafraid of the shiftling. When dusk fully settled over the pines and it was time to make camp, Verve broke the silence.
“Want to make yourself useful and hunt us up some supper?” she called. “Or shall we fight over my stale bread?”
A long snout emerged from the nearest clump of palmettos, razor-sharp teeth gleaming even in the failing light. A fat turkey hung from the ummaroc’s jaws, and Verve grinned.
“Clever girl,” she said. “I’ll get a fire going. Settle in. We need to talk.”
The turkey landed with a thud at Verve’s feet as Ellory shifted back to her human form. “I gathered.”
“Oh, good. I hoped you weren’t getting any nasty ideas while you tracked me.”
“No more than usual.”
Later, they sat on either side of a snapping fire, the turkey plucked and roasting. Verve nibbled on some dried fruit while Ellory watched the flames.
“Do you eat what you hunt in that other form?” Verve asked between bites.
Ellory nodded. “But if I change back too quickly after eating raw flesh, my guts will hate me.”
Verve wrinkled her nose. “Never thought about that. Now I regret asking.”
Ellory flashed her a smile that was more of a grimace. “You found me on purpose, I suppose? To cash in on that favor I owe you?”
The dried mangoes lost their sweetness, and Verve could only stare at the chunks of yellow fruit in her palm. “Lotis was attacked.”
Ellory tensed. “I’ve kept my word. I haven’t come near—”
“It was a bunch of mercenaries,” Verve interrupted. “Working with Atal’s Chosen.”
Ellory’s green eyes widened. “Your fellow assassins? Were they after your healer friend?”
Verve grabbed the stick she’d used to get the fire going and poked at the coals. “They know a powerful mage lives in Lotis. There are… suspicions about that mage’s abilities.” She gave Ellory a meaningful look. “But they attacked Lotis to send a message to me.” A deep, trembling breath did nothing to banish the memory of Ivet’s fragile body in her arms. “They want me to deliver that mage — or they’ll return to Lotis and claim their due.”
Ellory absorbed this. “Since you’re alone, I reckon you’ve got a plan.”
“Well, I’m not alone anymore. Matter-of-fact, I’m on my way to meet them. With a mage, no less.”
Ellory stared at her. “You can’t be serious.”
“Even for a shiftling, you’re powerful,” Verve said. “You can take care of yourself.”
