Page 115 of Forsaken Secrets

"Well, then … you should know that I don't actually have a plan, yet."

"Of course," he scoffed.

"It's not like I've had all that long to think on it," I muttered, tying the rope around myself like Kaiya had taught me.

Jaiel watched, brow quirked and lips twisted in a smug smile. "I see she's taught you some useful skills, at least."

I glared at him and leaned out of the entry, spotting my ascent to make sure it was clear. He prepped his own rope and joined me.

I had to hold my grin back when I beat him to the top. Gods, it felt good to beat that ass for once!

"Where's Riarlo?" Jaiel asked as he clambered over the edge.

I motioned towards the ocean. "He's out hunting. I think he's miffed at how much time I've been spending with Kaiya and Lynk. He said he's researching this Druid and Drake myth that everyone is obsessed with, but I think he's just having fun with the lady revyn we rescued in the ruins."

Jaiel laughed and shook his head. "I still can't believe you two have been working with the infamous Lynk!" He grinned. "Is he as big of a dick as people say?"

I winced. "Bigger." Then looked around guiltily.

Knowing him, he'd pop out, call me kid, then say something sarcastic. Though it could be fun to see him and Jaiel go head to head …

A rustling in the woods had me shaking my head. Damn, he was predictable.

But it wasn't Lynk who emerged from the forest …

Two large men wearing black cloaks sauntered towards us.

"Well, fuck," Jaiel muttered, dropping into a crouch.

I pulled a blade from my pack and followed suit.

Who were these guys? Could they have followed Kaiya to us? "I think they're with Ellingsworth …"

"So they probably have relics, then?"

I nodded, reaching out for Riarlo. "I know you're pissed, but I could really use some help down here."

"I'm coming,"he said.

"Hello, gentlemen," Jaiel said, stepping forward. His lips curled into a smile, and the men faltered. "What brings you to this part of the woods today?"

I watched as the man on the left stepped forward. He wore a strange silver pin on his cloak and held up a dagger. So no relics then? Perhaps these people weren't associated with the Ellingsworths after all.

"Which of you is Elimri Westin?" said the other man, swinging an oddly shaped bat.

My brows rose. So much for that hope. But why didn't they have relics?

I stepped to my left, and Jaiel moved to the right, so we were shoulder to shoulder. If they came after us, we could move back to back and fend them off together.

Based on what I'd seen, I'd say that we had the advantage. Especially with Jaiel's magic.

He couldn't force them to do something they didn't want, but he could slow them down and make them confused.

A loud cawing sound came from above and Riarlo dove in, talons raking into first one man's head and then the other, ripping off their hoods and taking bloody chunks of hair with them.

Both men screamed and held up their fists, letting loose some kind of sparking arc through the air towards him.

Hmm. They did have relics. Had they been ordered not to injure me, then?

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