Page 37 of A Lick of Flame

I lock eyes with Maya. She is smiling, but the lines around her eyes tell me that she is concerned. “Can’t you just let us go?” She directs the question at Olivia. “We’ll be on our way and out of your hair.”

“No, that’s out of the question,” Ethan says. He seems to be the leader. “It would be wrong of me. You are a lady in need of assistance. You’re known to one of our own – Miss Olivia. I’m honor-bound to do what’s right. We will escort you from the Hourglass. It’s a dangerous place to be, particularly for one as fair as you. In fact, we’ll escort you all the way to the beastfae border.”

“That is very kind of you, Ethan, but it—” Maya tries.

“But nothing. I insist,” Ethan says. “I will take it as a slight if you do not accept.”

They’re backing her into a corner. I don’t like it. I don’t trust them. I don’t like their leader. I think that he is real trouble.

“Please accept our offer, Maya. There is safety in numbers. There is a band of thieves working the Hourglass. The two of you would be sitting ducks,” says Olivia.

I lock eyes with Maya. I can see her frustration. Her eyes are blazing with anger, too. Although Olivia is asking, we don’t have a choice at all.

Maya smiles and nods once, schooling her emotions. “I appreciate that.”

“It’s settled, then,” Ethan says, grinning. “Tie him up,” he barks out.

Three of his men surround me. One at each arm. They yank them in front of me, not being too gentle about it. A third takes a thick rope from his saddle horn.

“Is this really necessary?” Maya asks.

“Yes,” is the only reply that Ethan gives. “Do it!” he grinds out.

I try to keep some space between my wrists, but the male pulls on the bonds, almost cutting off the blood supply to my hands.

“Don’t try anything,” he grunts, giving me a shove. Another male brings my horse, and I mount up.

The same male ties my hands to the saddle horn. “Don’t fall, or you might hurt yourself.” He chuckles like it’s the biggest joke. Then he takes my reins. “I’ll look after our friend over here.” He winks at me, mounting his horse.

Within minutes, everyone is mounted.

“Let’s go closer to the front,” I hear Olivia tell Maya. “You can fill me in on anything I missed while I was gone.”

“Um…sure.” Maya sounds hesitant.

I know that she is worried about me and must look my way because Olivia says, “Your fae friend will be just fine.”

Maya and I share a glance as she rides past.

I give a subtle nod of the head to tell her that I am okay. I would prefer to have her up front where I can keep an eye on her.

The leader, Ethan, holds back, taking up the rear. Just as we walk from the gulley, I hear the sound of flapping wings from behind us. When I look up, I see a dove as white as snow taking to the sky. There is something attached to its leg.

Unease churns in my gut.

16

Maya

With a grunt, one of the men tosses a hefty log onto the fire, sending sparks dancing into the night sky. His boots crunch on the dirt as he walks back to where a large group of men are eating next to a second firepit. Someone says something, and they all roar with laughter.

I try to ignore them, looking down at the crackling fire instead. It casts an orange glow over our campsite, illuminating the line of horses tied together in the shadows to the side of us. The rich aroma of smoke mingled with the scent of bean and hog stew, fills the air. I would normally be ravenous after a hard day of riding, but not today. The bowl in my hands would be long since empty, but as it stands, I’ve barely managed two mouthfuls. My stomach is tied in knots.

I glance back into the shadows to where Orion has been tied to a tree. Several men stand guard. I tried to intervene when we first got to camp, but the fae shook his head twice, frowning at me.

I don’t like this.

I don’t like it one bit.

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