Page 124 of A Tribute of Fire

“Yes, I saw. But at some point you might get overwhelmed with numbers. Not even you can fight an army.”

His words pierced my heart with a hot, flaming spear. Quynh had said the very same thing to me.

There was no way that Jason could have known that, though.

It felt like some sort of sign, but I didn’t have the time to ponder it or examine it. I had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other, to keep moving so that I wouldn’t be crushed under the weight of my memories and sorrows.

He tried a different tactic. “Is it your plan to be out all night, then? Won’t you be tired tomorrow?”

Like he was my older brother or father, trying to use reason to convince me that it was in my best interest to go back. It just annoyed me. “Haven’t you ever stayed up all night before?”

“Yes, but I wasn’t wandering around the city.”

“What were you doing?” I asked, and then immediately wanted to take it back because I understood what he had been doing.

My cheeks felt hot and I wished I could melt into the shadows. He made me feel so naive. I never felt that way when I dreamed of him, but I was quickly discovering that real life wasn’t living up to those fantasies my mind spun when I was fast asleep.

And how many reminders did I need about the kind of man he was? He couldn’t have made it any clearer.

Why was I attracted to him?

Sighing, I tried to pay attention to where I was going. I had taken a more circuitous route when I’d first arrived and my adelphia had told me a quicker way to get to the docks.

Given that Jason wasn’t trying to correct me, I figured it had to be the best path.

“Have you ever thought about leaving the temple?” he asked.

Had I? Every day since I’d arrived. It was an odd question. He seemed to be saying whatever thought popped into his head tonight. I wondered if he’d been drinking and if that was the reason for the lack of a filter.

“Why would you ask me that?” I glanced over at him and saw him shrug.

“If you want to go, I can smuggle you out. Just say the word and I’ll get you on a ship back to Locris.”

Of course a part of me was tempted. It would be wonderful to just board a boat and see my family in a few days. I would have given almost anything to be reunited with them again.

But I wouldn’t leave until I’d gotten what I came here for.

“I’m staying in Troas. In the temple.” For now.

He accepted my answer with a nod and then added, “Didn’t you say you wanted to go to the docks?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going the wrong way.”

I glanced up at the walls and it was nearly impossible to make out the faded colors in the dark. Had I taken a wrong turn?

I was so distracted by his presence that I was making mistakes. Frustration built up inside me and I had to refrain from kicking the closest wall.

“Which way do I go then?” I asked, coming to a halt. It was difficult to ask because I knew he would lord it over me.

He stood in front of me, his broad frame practically blocking out the moon, casting him into shadow. “I still don’t think you should go there.”

“That’s not your decision,” I told him.

“I could show you the correct path ...” His words trailed off. “If you would pay the toll.”

Crossing my arms I asked, “And what is your price?”

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