Page 35 of Marked

“Yet you expect me to share mine with you?”

“No.” He shook his head and considered the forest again as he set the second target down. “Looks like we both get to keep our secrets a little longer.”

“Guess so.” I followed his gaze, peering into the forest shadows. I didn’t see anything. “Meet me here tonight at sundown.”

“Are we going to dual? A fight to the death?” His lips quirked up at the corners. “Do I need to bring Sley as a witness?”

“No.” I scoffed. “We’re going hunting.”

13

Sley appeared at my cabin door, her face set in a determined expression. She wore lined leather pants and a long-sleeved top under an unbuttoned jacket. “May I come in?”

“Of course.” I stood to the side and Sley brushed past me. She hung her jacket by the door on the hook beside my bow before gracefully settling onto my couch.

Nala raised her head briefly during the interaction at the entrance, but as soon as Sley sat beside her, my wolf plopped her head in my friend’s lap and sighed. Sley absently stroked Nala’s soft fur.

The warm glow of candlelight flickered off the wooden walls of my cozy cabin, casting dancing shadows across her face.

Sley studied my leather hunting outfit. “Heading out?”

“Not for a few hours,” I answered.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? What about Nala?”

“She’ll stay home. Rye said to take it easy, not hole up and starve. I’m going to get some food, not hunt poachers in the forbidden forest.” I paused to study my friend. “Are you here to talk about the thefts or Blake?”

“Both?” She dropped her head back on the couch and closed her eyes. “Neither?”

I nodded and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll get the wine.”

Sley was still petting my now-snoring familiar with her eyes closed when I returned with two glasses filled with cherry wine. I’d traded a fur pelt for a couple of bottles last summer when the travelling merchants had come to Wast. “So...shall we start with Blake?”

Sley groaned and her eyes popped open. "Phaans, no.”

“Okay...thievery it is.” I handed one of the glasses to Sley. “We know the thief has been around town long enough to discover the secret tunnel under the storage house and that they may or may not have recently lost a red scarf. Though the scarf seems a little weird...why would anyone rob a storage facility wearing something flashy?”

Sley took the glass and raised it in the air in a silent salute before taking a sip. “I guess we don’t have very much to go on.”

“Not yet. Our amateur detective days aren’t numbered yet, though. Don’t give up on your dreams.”

“That’s not even close to my dream and you know it.” Sley sighed dramatically.

“Ah, yes. Your phaanon obsession.”

Taking a sip of my wine, I settled into the armchair across from her. “Well, if Blake is off limits, and we’re done summarizing our investigation. I guess we’ll have to focus on finding more clues,” I said. “No distractions.”

Sley gave me a mischievous grin. “There’s only one place I know of that’s perfect for gathering information.”

I groaned and downed my wine. “Gossip, you mean.”

“It’s the same thing.” She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “That’s what keeps this town interesting. Grab your shit. We’re going to the pub.”

* * *

The air in the pub was thick with an acrid mix of sweat, ale, and burning wood. The flickering flames from torches lined the uneven stone walls, casting dancing shadows. As Perga’s only pub, everyone walked through these doors with the same purpose—to unwind. Well, except me and Sley. We came to gather information.

I sat on a worn-out stool at the bar, nursing a glass of something amber that tasted like liquid fire. Sley leaned on the rough-hewn counter, her eyes scanning the dimly lit room.

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