Page 32 of Hopeless Magic
“So we leave at dawn. The guards inside said the ship is heading back to Juvar tomorrow morning.”
We.
He definitely means them.
“And I suppose, I’ll be taking my payment now.”
All three of them pin me with a look that makes me shift on my feet.
“We’ve never been to Juvar. Hell, the former prince himself hasn’t seen it in decades.” Darrio gestures to Ryder. “Take us to the gates and we’ll pay you.”
“She doesn’t have to do that,” Daxdyn says.
Is he defending me?
It feels odd to have someone stick up for me. It makes me … uncomfortable.
“We had a deal. I brought you to the shore. That is as far as I go.”
I certainly am not stepping foot on a Noble ship.
This is why I wasn’t allowed inside. They were arranging their departure with the enemy.
“He’s right, Kara. We need you.” Ryder’s pleading gaze only makes me angrier. “Come to the kingdom with us and I’ll pay you double.”
Anger burns rapidly through my tight chest.
“You don’t even know my fucking price.” The words seethe through clenched teeth. My fists shake at my sides.
I should have known better than to trust them. I need to go. Now. This is dangerous. They’re going to get me killed.
Or worse.
“Fine,” I grind out. My lips press so tightly together it hurts. I can’t look any of them in the eye. The dry dirt holds my attention.
“Fine?” Darrio repeats like a broken clock that can go fuck itself for all I care.
“Okay. We better make camp then,” Ryder says uneasily. His eyes bore into me but I refuse to look at him.
He’s a liar. They all are.
First thing tomorrow morning, they’ll be sailing away from me.
And I’ll never see them again.
Chapter Eleven
An Opportunity
With defiance, I glare up at the heavy moon. It looms wide in the sky, taking up too much of the beautiful, starry heavens.
Their snores lull softly around me.
A pleasing sound.
The feeling of achievement swirls within me, and I slowly stand. The thin blanket slips from my poised body, falling to the dirt without a sound. My gaze drifts over Darrio and Daxdyn. They lie on their sides facing the forest. Ryder lies closest to the small, fuming fire with his back to me as well.
I smile at them; at the sound of their tired breaths.
