Page 35 of Sins of the Stone

Because of their frequent stops, they arrived at the encampment right before nightfall. The sky was aglow with the fading sun’s haze, and they landed just outside the camp. Ursulette trudged through the mud again, and Ramuz found a suitable hiding place along the edge.

He tucked himself behind a large stone, peeking from behind it and watching her like he had so many times before. Her hair was dripping, but that was the least of his concerns as her head swiveled and searchedthrough the remainder of the survivors, seeking out her friend.

She smiled softly at a few of them and received a curt nod in return. It would be perfect if Omar didn’t disturb her this time, but knowing him, that would be hisonlyconcern. Thinking about it made Ramuz sink his claws into the stone he hid behind, leaving white streaks of rage pressed into it for eternity.

Right on command, heavy footsteps distracted her as she scanned another humble group of tired-looking citizens. Omar’s face was twisted with an unknown emotion—something akin to malice—and it made his heartbeat thunder in his ears.

She can handle it,he thought.She is strong.

“Ursulette, nice of you to show up after your brief escape,” he heard Omar say snidely. Immediately, Ursulette’s face shaded with pink. His voice was much louder than normal—something surely intentional—drawing a few stray gazes.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ursulette countered.

“Sure you do, wandering off backhome,wherever that may be,” he said. Ursulette’s eyes narrowed, almost causing Ramuz to smile. She looked so fierce, tearing him down with her gaze.

“I told you, I sleep better at my shelter. I’m accustomed to being there.” Despite her returning confidence, the lingering stares of familiar, curious and suspicious faces made the setting sun reflect the sweat off her forehead. It wasn’t just the rain against her skin. He knew her well enough to know that.

“Yes, of course. Someone like you can build a shelter and survive by herself, safe from creatures and fully nourished.” With each word, Omar’s voice seemed to raise, drawing a considerable amount of eyes. Surely now, he pulled most of the citizen’s attention to them.

“Do you all not think it’s a little odd?” he added. Ursulette’s head pivoted. Many people were staring, but a few nodded,agreeingwith what Omar said.

“I am not as inept as you may think,” she snarled, her knuckles white. The slimy expression on his face made Ramuz nauseous, thinking about how much he was enjoying tormenting the woman he loved. He would think hewas having a little too much fun if he didn’t know any better.

“I am well aware of that,” he said. “I just don’t understandhow.” He paused as his lips curled with a smirk. “But I will soon. Very,verysoon.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You are no longer escaping, Ursulette,” Omar said, baring his teeth in a sinister smile. “Until I figure out what you are up to, you are going to mend my trust and stay by my side.” Ursulette’s face paled, further chipping away at his hesitation.

She scanned the tree line, but her eyes did not connect with him. Then Omar lashed out, taking her wrist in his grasp and making Ramuz jolt forward before lurking back into the shadows.

“Fine,” she submitted. Her compliance crushed him. Omar grinned devilishly and led her away toward his tent. Their feet splashed against the puddles on the ground, and Ramuz quickly shifted positions from behind the stone to being tucked away near a tree.

He prayed that if she really felt she needed help, she would call for him. Then he could scoop her up and bring her home, and they could both forget this whole thing. Ursulette kept her eyes on the ground, strands of hair sticking to her damp forehead. Her defeat was profound and made his throat close.

A set of jumbled steps broke her out of her trance and him out of his sorrows as a familiar face approached them. Hopefully, her friend would put a stop to this madness. Giles stuck out his walking stick, stopping Omar from pulling her away.

“What the hell is going on here, Omar?” Giles growled. Immediately, the fiend released her wrist, and she drew it to her chest.

“She acts suspicious. Do you deny that?” he said. Giles returned a scowl to him, clearly dissatisfied with his gross display of power.

“You must take her for a moron, then.”

He shook his head. “Not a moron,” Omar said. “Hidingsomething. Someone of her stature who has not lost weight walking here and back wherever she has been is distrustful and, therefore, a danger to the rest of us. She’s still fat as a pig.” Simultaneously, Ursulette and Ramuz gasped, and thedam holding back her emotion broke and flowed from her eyes.

Anger and sorrow intermingled and came out in an unusually violent action. Given the circumstances, he only wished he could’ve enjoyed the moment more. Ursulette arched her hand back, and her palm connected with Omar’s cheek, echoing so loudly that it might have woken the dead.

“Bastard!” she snarled. “How dare you say something so awful to me?” In retaliation, Omar pressed his hands to her, and, in an instant, she was plummeting to the ground.

A splash of mud coated her dress with dark stains. He knew that instead of being concerned for herself, she was thinking about the consequences of him coming to save her. Blood, destruction, torture, death… both of them in pain, her hanging from the ends of the gallows as her tongue popped from between her lips, turning a deathly, frosty blue.

But that was not enough. He needed to step in. This had gone too far, and anyone putting their grubby hands on her did not deserve to be in her life. Just as he stepped out from his hiding place, he heard her desperate voice echoing through the air.

“Do not help me!” Ursulette cried, her voice ripping through the thundering rain, pulling a handful of eyes toward them. Never before had he heard her voice reach such heights, and it made him feel like he was being pulverized. Why would she plead for him not to help? But Ramuz knew that answer—because she was protecting him.

“Help you? No one is going to help a traitorous, scheming slut like you!” Omar raised his foot to stomp on her, and she raised her hands in defense. Ramuz was ready to dart before Giles raised his walking stick. A dull smacking sound made Ursulette’s eyes widen.

Even with Giles’ crippling injury, he still was defending her, even though that should’ve been his job. She shook her head and scrambled to her feet, almost slipping in the mud. He kept his stick out to keep the two of them separated.

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