Page 35 of Forsaken Secrets

15

Kaiya

I'd dropped the rope off at the ruins that morning, but it was still there when I stopped by at lunch.

Damn.

Casting a quick glance around, I picked it up and looped the rough length over my shoulder.

Why was I trying so hard to get it back to Lynk? He probably had dozens of them.

Maybe he'd even left it there on purpose.

I tried to imagine him stopping by and seeing it sitting there atop the ruins, then pausing as he debated what to do before deciding to leave it behind for me to grab, silver eyes soft as he imagined my joy at seeing it …

Nope. No. I cringed.

The damn barbarian had probably forgotten it (and I) even existed!

Though, if he truly didn't care, perhaps I could use it to explore more of those ruins buried in the cliff-side?

No. I'd give him one more day before I claimed it.

Perhaps the Harlsted's General Store would be a better bet to get it to him, though …

Surely he came into town for supplies?

Besides, Aunt Grace had asked me to do some cleaning at the dress shop and it was that or I could spend the day helping Sylvie get things back to some semblance of normal at the estate.

The thought of scrubbing floors, changing beds, and washing laundry made my hands burn.

No. Going into town would be a better use of my time. I'd work outside again tonight to make up for it …

Then again … what if Eli was there helping his aunt and uncle?

Gods. Was I really going to avoid the Harlsteds just to avoid him? No. No, I was not.

Shaking it off, I turned towards the bridge and strode quickly.

Besides, it wasn't like I could avoid town forever.

I mean, who knew? Maybe he'd already left, or was out working on that assignment of his.

"You there, STOP!"

The commanding, masculine voice made me freeze. I'd barely left the bridge and was being stopped?

Panic twisted in my chest as I checked behind me to locate the speaker. Hopefully Lynk hadn't already told someone about the missing rope! I patted it, still safe on my shoulder.

Surely they'd understand if I explained the situation?

"I said stop!"

There. I searched again for the source of the voice and my stomach dropped.

A Seeker stood there, dark cloak swirling around him, hood obscuring his face from view. But I was sure he'd be marked if I could see his face — that intricate black tattoo covering him from chin to eye. No one else would wear a cloak like that, at least not so confidently …

When they'd checked me in the past, I'd been clean, but lately I'd been able to use my magic more.

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