Page 69 of Shadows and Flames
Chapter Twenty-Seven
ELIÁN
The Vyrkos wasstillfollowing us.
Like a sullen mosquito buzzing around us. The way we tread led directly back to the city, so, unless he was completely helpless, he would not have gotten lost.
We continued to follow my queen as she veered off the main road, taking a thinner path that was slightly overgrown, returning back to the land. Tana spoke in harsh, hushed tones with the Vyrkos as he grumbled back at her, never once breaking off from our procession.
The witch was too kind, but Tom, Meline, and I had also rid ourselves of the responsibility of dealing with him. He could follow and stay out of our way, or his life would be simple to end.
Long reeds swayed, feathery tips fluttering around us. The shushed lapping of fresh water sang with it, and then, the bottoms of my boots met stone. The crumbled remnants of pavement led forward toward a dark, decrepit structure. Bringing into view the hill it sat upon, as well as the small lake below the ruins of a bridge. Stone piers jutted up from the water, alluding to what once stood, but nearest us, at the start of the bridge, sat a millhouse, suspended over the water.
Fenix’s and Tana’s steps were muted as we went, and I sensed a human, heart rate slightly elevated, pacing within the structure that was older than me.
I took the moment to walk parallel to my queen, glancing at her. Her power had retreated, no longer visible from what I could see, but I would be naïve to assume it was not close to the surface.
I did not feel remorse for killing Von Herron, and perhaps this was a reflection of my own selfishness, the need to win. But I was also aware this moment, this mission, was now completely hers. To find a lost friend.
It was important to her, so it was important to me. Instead of words, I brushed my fingers along the edge of her forearm, where her sleeve billowed as we walked. She did not react, at least outwardly, but I did not miss the smoothing of tension around her mouth.
A stale rank filled the air, and for a moment, I worried it would crumble around us. Old paint was peeling and flaking off the walls, rotten. Silver moonlight peeked through the slats of the millhouse, some boards fallen away completely. Rusted and rotten supplies were pushed to the corners, anything useful pilfered long ago.
We kicked up dust as we entered to face the human with sword drawn.
“What is this?” he asked gruffly through his teeth. His bald head shone smooth in the dim light, and his beard was a full, slate gray. A dark cloak obscured his shoulders but left his leather breastplate visible.
My queen sighed and slowed her approach. “It’s fine, Blackwood. They are… well, they’re with us and no danger to you.”
He did not lower his sword as he chuckled dryly. “Seems as if I’ve been told that right before being stabbed in the back.”
Meline stopped before him, within range of his weapon. I fought my worry for her safety, reminding myself she was more than capable of fighting off any attack that came her way. It was irrational, and I knew she would not appreciate the show of protectiveness.
It did not stop my focused monitoring of this Blackwood’s movements, though.
Meline moved slowly, as if to not startle him, and reached in the leather bag. She held up a hand, wordlessly asking for calm and speaking peace. With the other, she pulled out Von Herron’s head by his hair.
The man froze then dropped his sword to his side. He jutted a finger at my queen and took a step closer to her. “This wasn’t part of your contract.”
A glance at my brother revealed him to be just as perplexed as I was. What did this man want with Von Herron alive? And why did he need to hire a mercenary to bring him?
“I fucking know that.Wedidn’t kill him.” She did not need to point to Tomás and me. The accusation was abundantly clear.
Blackwood processed through what Meline said, watching the rest of us watching him, and I predicted he would become defensive again a few moments before he raised his blade at us. He crouched into a fighting stance. “Then you won’t be getting your fucking payment.”
Meline dangled the head at her side, jostling it as she argued back with their employer. “I don’t care about the payment. We wanted information from Von Herron, and now that we don’t have the opportunity, we are asking it of you.”
“Why in God’s name would I do anything for you?” He shook his head, angling toward the door. Of course, we were blocking the way, and the sweep of his gaze back and forth, calculating his options, revealed his anxiety over that fact.
Tana stepped up, hands waving in a placating rhythm. “Could you tell us what you wanted with him in the first place? Maybe we can help you, even with him dead.”
He snorted, hands beginning to tremble. A human against four—five—blood drinkers did not provide high likelihood he’d be able to fight us off. “I’m leaving now.” He said, and none of us moved.
“Blackwood,” Meline growled, “we are trying to find someone. And we believe Von Herron had a way of communicating with those who took this person.” The man stiffened, his heart skipping before he tried to bury his reaction.
My queen noticed, and he grew more agitated. “I don’t know nothin’ you’re talking about. Now, back away from the door.”
“Just answer their questions, mate.”
