AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Identification?” the creature bellows.
I cringe as I watch slobber drip from the corner of his mouth. Verrin looks at me over his shoulder.
“Oh,” I say, jolted from my thoughts of disgust. “Jenna Daltry, 5773 Tripolt Lane.”
The orc waves us on, and I swallow the bile that slid up my throat. Verrin stifled his laughter as Yeelus popped up to glare at me once more.
We arrived at my home and turned to see Malaki pulling up behind us. His equu whinnied, and he stopped. I catch his angry glance and turn to Verrin. Verrin tied Tiara to a post and stood in front of me as Yeelus climbed onto his shoulder, hissing.
“What did you do to me?” Malaki asks angrily, getting off his cart and approaching Verrin.
“Mr. Malaki, keep your voice down,” Verrin suggests strongly.
“No, I will not. Whatever trance you hooligans put me under …”
Verrin jumps forward and puts his hand over Malaki’s mouth, motioning for me to open my front door. I quickly unlock it and swing the door open, glancing around for lookie-loos as Verrin forces Malaki inside.
Malaki hits the floor as I close the door behind us. Verrin towers over him and holds out a finger.
“Younevercome at me like that again, especially in a town filled with orc guards. What is wrong with you?” Verrin growls.
“What did you do to me? Answer the question,” Malaki demands, standing and dusting himself off.
“Hey,” I say in a loud whisper. “Keep your voices down. We don’t need some passerby to hear you.”
Verrin crossed his arms and exhaled before talking in a lower tone. “We needed information, and I put you under a momentary lapse.”
“Lapse?” Malaki asks, shocked.
“A sensory lapse,” Verrin states cockily.
I push Verrin aside and stand before Malaki with my arms crossed. “What do you want?”
Malaki stares at me blankly and sighs. “I want to help.”
“Ha,” Verrin laughs loudly. “You’ve got to be joking. Youliedto Jenna about the statue, you didn’t want to help us back on the trail, andnowyou want a chance at redemption?”
“Listen,” Malaki begins, holding his hands out. “I’ve had many artifacts stolen by that pathetic excuse for a chieftain. This isn’t me wanting to helpyou,necessarily. It’s about revenge.”
Verrin looks at Malaki blankly before turning to me and shrugging. “Good enough for me.”
“What?” I exclaim, shocked. “You can’t be serious.”
“Hey, revenge is a great motivator,” Verrin responds firmly.
My shoulders drop, and I shake my head as I walk to the living room and sit on one of my benches. I stare at the three of them and put my head in my hands.
“Fine,” I say before looking up at them. “But one more wrong move, Malaki, and your little ‘secrets’ are out, understand?”
Malaki scoffs. “Don’t threaten me, girl.”
Verrin takes Malaki by his shirt and pins him against the wall viciously. I roll my eyes.
“Verrin,” I say, my tone indicating I’m over his show of protectiveness. “Put him down.”
Verrin released Malaki unwillingly and joined me on the bench. He glanced at me as Yeelus climbed on his shoulder again.
“What’s the plan?” Verrin asks.
