Page 19 of By the Horns
And this one? This one looks far too shifty for the likes of Master Finch.
Well, it can’t hurt to ask. I cut across the room and go to stand near the pale man, all casual like. “Any luck today?”
“None so far,” he comments, watching the room with that petulant expression. “You?”
“Some.” I pause before easing into the rest of the answer, trying not to seem too eager. “I’ve got a master who will take me and my friends on provided I can find a capable fifth. Know of anyone who’s looking to find a spot?”
The pale human pushes off the wall. “Me. Name’s Arrod.”
“Raptor,” I say.
“But your name—”
I put a hand up. “I’m keeping it. I’ve been demoted, but not for long.” I nod at his sash. “What are you repeating for?”
“Truancy. Skipped a few too many classes, and Master Crow flunked me. I’ve been working as a runner ever since.” There’s a hot, hungry look in his eyes. “I’ll be your fifth.”
“Even if I tell you that our group consists of a woman, a slitherskin, and some spoiled boy who’s been foisted on Master Jay due to a favor?”
“Even so.” He tilts his head, indicating the busy room. “I’m not having any luck with this lot, and even if we fail, at least it’s more training.”
I admire his attitude. “All right. You’re in.”
A big grin crosses his face. He rubs his hands together. “The woman. She pretty?”
I suddenly want to plant a hoof in his backside and kick him across the room. “Does it matter? She’s going to be your fellow fledgling. You don’t stick your dick in that.”
Arrod just laughs. “I’m not looking to get married. Just figured it might be nice to have a bit of fun on the side. But the guild comes first, of course.”
I’m souring on Arrod the more he speaks. But we do need a fifth, and he’s a repeater, which means he bears watching. Despite my better judgment, I wave him forward, indicating he should follow me. We make it back to the small group waiting awkwardly in front of Master Jay, and I introduce Arrod with a flourish. “Our fifth.”
Master Jay perks up at the sight of him. “Trained with Crow last year, didn’t you? You had promise. Don’t muck it up this year.”
“No, Master. I won’t.” He bows quickly and then flashes a grin at Gwenna. A flirty grin, I can’t help but notice. She smiles back.
It takes everything I have not to scowl at Arrod. Gwenna, too. I don’tknow why their friendliness bothers me. I’m waiting for Sarya. I’ve never felt as connected to a woman as I did to her that afternoon, and nothing else matters. Once I find her, all will be right again.
Let Gwenna and Arrod flirt. It’s fine.
It’s all perfectly fine. They’re all suspects in my eyes anyhow.
Seven
Raptor
HGM Rooster & GM Hawk,
Have joined a fledgling group under Master Jay. All are repeaters. All seem suspicious. Will keep you updated on what I learn.
—Raptor
PS—I’m not trading out my name. Muck all that.
Imeet up withHawk at his fledgling nest later that morning, once I’ve dumped my things at Master Jay’s nest. Hawk’s wife, Sparrow, is there, seated at the desk near the fireplace, a magnifying glass perched under her spectacles as she pores over a book. Students are filing in, some of them with heavy trunks, as he assigns rooms.
“You. Boden. Upstairs,” he calls out. “Room at the top left.”
“But I’ve got six trunks, sir,” the human called Boden protests.
