Page 64 of Joy Guardian

He was slightly taller than the woman. His long hair was corded into several messy, uneven braids, some of which reached down to his hips.

“Alone…” I echoed with a twist of torture in my chest.

The emptiness in my heart expanded, swallowing me whole and forcing me to bend over in pain. I hadn’t felt this utterly alone in my life before. For over two weeks, Ciana was with me, in my emotions, my thoughts, and in my arms. And now, she was gone…

I had to get her back even if it was the last thing I did.

“I must go.” I rose to my knees, then finally climbed to my feet, swaying sideways.

“Woah! Steady there, Joy Guardian.” Gefred grabbed me under my arm, stopping me from keeling over.

His female companion, Malis, took a careful step our way. Her braids were tied into a giant knot on top of her head. Two long knitting needles pinned her worn garment to the knot of her hair by spearing it all the way through.

“Are you really a Joy Guardian?” she asked. “Or did you kill one and steal his clothes?”

Judging by the casual way she mentioned that scenario, it wouldn’t have shocked her if I did what she said.

“No. I really am one…” I coughed, clearing more sand out of my nose and throat.

“Prove it,” Gefred demanded, letting go of me and raising my dagger menacingly.

Reaching into my satchel, I pulled out the first item that my fingers touched—my navigation crystal—and thrust it his way.

“This helps me find my way in the desert.”

Gefred squinted at it with calculated appreciation. But Malis propped her hands on her rag-covered hips.

“You could’ve stolen it from a Joy Guardian, along with that fancy skirt you’re wearing,” she scoffed.

I muttered the spell, barely recalling the words through the fog clouding my mind. The crystal glowed with the map of constellation rising over it, visible day and night.

“Hmm, you know how to work it too,” Malis muttered, trying hard not to look impressed.

Gefred didn’t even try to seem unaffected. His green eyes lit up from under the ratty blanket he wore over his head.

“It’s real,” he murmured, then shifted his attention back to my face.“You’rereal.”

“A Joy Guardian is nothing without his knowledge. And the Joy Guardians’ knowledge is only accessible to those who give our vows,” I said, putting the crystal back in my satchel.

“Alright, alright, so you are who you say you are,” Malis brushed my words aside. “Now, what are we supposed to do with you?”

“Take his bag and leave him here.” Gefred adjusted his grip on my dagger, looking ready to attack.

His aggression raised my defenses, clearing the fog off my mind somewhat. These people weren’t my friends. A suspicion sliced through me that they might belong with the thugs who took Ciana.

Anger gave me strength and speed. I leaped at Gefred, giving him no chance to attack first. Knocking the dagger out of his hand, I twisted his arm behind him and shoved him into the sand, with my knee shoved in his back.

“Where did you take Ciana?” I demanded, calling on mywillpower to not snap his neck at once. I needed him alive, at least long enough to answer my questions.

“Who is Ciana?” he croaked from under me.

“My woman.” It came out easily and sounded natural to my ear.

Mine.

She was mine.

Because we belonged together.

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