Page 14 of A Thieving Curse

“All right…” Raelyn’s voice cracked, and she licked her dry lips. “Who are you? Is my family here?”

“I’m Jasper.” The man’s brows furrowed. “I’m afraid I don’t know about your family. But don’t fear, you’re safe in a cave on Mount Klainar.”

“Klainar?” With a sinking feeling, she recognized the name of one of Rethalyon’s highest peaks.But that’s at least a couple days’ ride from the pass. How did I get so far away?She gripped her braid. “My family is on the pass; I need to get back to them.” She ignored the fear that they hadn’t survived the manticore attack.

“Ah.” Jasper nodded. “Don’t fret; we’ll help you. What’s your name?”

Raelyn hesitated. Jasper appeared harmless but it didn’t seem wise to give that information.

“You don’t have to tell me, my lady,” Jasper said with a reassuring smile. “We’ll get you to your family soon. In the meantime, are you hungry? Thirsty?”

She wanted to demand how and when they would take her to her family, but despite the numbness shrouding her, she couldn’t ignore her parched mouth or empty stomach. “Yes, please. Thank you.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Although Jasper’s reassurance eased some of her anxiety, impatience and fear drove her to the door, her ankle smarting with every step. Maybe she should make her own way out in case he was lying. Inky, unbroken darkness greeted her. Her heart sank.How big is this cave?Unwilling to risk navigating the blackness, she closed the door and returned to the bed.How did I get here?

She remembered the wolves, falling…a bellowing roar and the wolves fleeing. The outline of a monster with wings and horns and glowing red eyes.I hit my head.She touched the back of her skull and sucked in a breath when her fingers pressed against a swollen bump.Someone must have fought off the monster. But who?Jasper didn’t seem the fighting type. Not like Gareth…

Worry for her family crowded in again, and she rocked on the bed. What was taking Jasper so long?

A few minutes later, a knock sounded. She cleared her throat and called for him to come in. Jasper entered and handed her a wooden goblet of water and a plate with simple bread and cheese. “How’s your head?”

She took a long, satiating drink. “Fine, I think.”

“And your ankle?”

“It stings.” The soft bread and sharp cheese melted in her mouth, and she relaxed further.

“It should heal soon enough.” Jasper patted her arm. “Do you need anything else?”

She gulped down the food. “My family—we were attacked. I must find them.”

“Of course, my lady.” He inclined his head. “I’m going to let Alex know you’re awake. I’ll be back shortly.” He left before she could ask any further questions.

After Raelyn finished eating, she rose and set the plate and goblet on the table and sat in the chair.Who is Alex?She thrummed her fingers on the tabletop.Alex must have saved me from that winged monster. He’ll take me to my family.

The door opened and Raelyn stood, ignoring the pinch in her ankle. Jasper shuffled in with a pleasant smile and stepped to the side to allow someone else in.

The young man who strode into the room was…not a man. Not fully.

Raelyn backed away, blood draining from her face as she covered her mouth.

He was tall, dressed in all black, and had an elegant face. A lock of unruly black hair fell across his pale forehead. The loosely laced vee in his long-sleeved shirt gave a glimpse of defined muscles. But the human features didn’t hold her attention. Her gaze jumped from one monstrous trait to another, unsure which terrified her most.

Two shiny obsidian horns corkscrewed backward out of the top of his head. A ridged tail of onyx and dark red scales flicked behind him, the spade-shaped end rasping as it skipped over the ground. Black, leathery wings were folded against his back. Short dark claws sprouted from his fingertips.

His eyes could’ve been human if the irises weren’t crimson. Isolated patches of small garnet scales glinted along his hairline. He looked…part dragon.

The winged monster that scared the wolves away.

She hadn’t been rescued. She’d been taken.

Raelyn darted a glance at Jasper as she broke into a cold sweat.He lied. I’m not going to see my family again.

She kept retreating until her calves hit the bed and she fell back on the mattress. The monster stepped farther into the room. Its wings rustled, the sound the same as the manticore’s wings when it attacked.

“Stay back!” She held out a hand even as she pressed against the wall, her chest heaving. The creature frowned and his face turned red. He inhaled deeply, his eyes flashing.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” the monster said in a tone that would have been soothing coming from a human’s mouth. From the demon before her, it was unnerving. “You can stop cowering.” As he spoke, she caught glimpses of small fangs instead of canines.

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