Page 79 of Glass Hearts
“Not without us, brother. Let’s formulate a plan, get you some food.” Gray looks like he wants to punch Sylas. We don’t want him burning down the city trying to find her.
“We will find her. But there is nothing we can do at this time.”
“I don’t like her being all alone at night. What if something happened to her?” Grayer quietly confesses through strain.
“Don’t forget our girl is stubborn and resourceful. I know she will be alright; we will find her brother.” Koi wraps his arm around his brother, leading him inside.
Before I follow my brothers, I take one last look out at the city. “We will find you, Arabella. Goodnight, darling.”
Arabella
Maybe I can lure them out to the woods, then maybe Max can scare them off? Though, knowing how fearless Max is, he may try to attack them. And they seem quite dangerous. I don’t want to get Max hurt.
No matter what plan I concoct in my mind, it ends in either my or one of my animals’ demise. That is not an option. Side quest mission it is then. Who knows, maybe these guys can teach me a few things about fighting.
My breakfast lies untouched on the mini wooden table as I continue to pace my room, the sun already rising. A loud knock interrupts my pacing and thinking. I open the door to see the three burly men taking up way too much room in the tiny hallway.
“You are wearing the same thing?” Smith questions. Of course they look well-rested and ready to go. Their weaponless belts from last night are definitely holding a variety of weapons today.
“I don’t really have any change of clothes. Remember, the whole just escaping and getting my freedom ordeal?”
“Riiggghhttt. Just hang on.” Jax leaves, leaving me with the other two.
“You might as well eat your breakfast. It may be awhile until we eat next,” Elliah suggests, making his way into my room. He makes a fair point, so I begrudgingly sit and eat a bit of my now cold porridge.
“So,” I say around a mouthful; not really caring if they find me attractive. “Where exactly do we find Cobras?”
“Most can be found on the Fire Isle, but some have been found further south.”
I nod. I suppose another positive is that I get yet another guide as I adventure. Though it also means I won’t be seeing Max for a little while. Hopefully, I will see Petra soon, to fly another memo to Lo if she makes her way to Quotina.
Jax returns a short while later, with clothing items in hand. “I couldn’t find any female clothing around here. So you will have to make do with Smith’s old shirt. It would be better than that bloodied white shirt. Whyisit so bloody?”
“My back,” is all I say as I enter the bathing room and change out of my white blouse and into the black shirt. It almost looks like a dress, not really a great combo with my overly tight brown pants.
“Do any of you have a spare dagger belt, preferably one that would fit my thigh by any chance?” I ask as I re-enter my space that they have made themselves way too comfortable in. Elliah tosses me one, and I strapGoldie—I think that’s the perfect name for my golden dagger—onto my thigh.
“Little blondie has a dagger! Who would have thought? Maybe you do have a bit of bite to ya.” Jax chuckles.
Yes, let them think that. Have I spilled blood with it? Heck no, but they don’t need to know that.
The men head out without saying another word. Reluctantly, grabbing my pack, I follow along.
* * *
I had expected our journey to be filled with silence, yet the men are talking loudly among themselves about stupid things like who has the sharpest blade, which of the girls from last nightgave the best blow job, and other mindlessly stupid things. It is as if I am not even there, which is fine by me.
We continue heading south towards the enchanted forest, taking a break after a few hours. Which gave me the perfect chance to see what creatures might be around me. Surprisingly, no animal gets back to me telepathically.
“It seems strange that I don’t hear any animals at all. Where are we heading? Should I be worried it isn’t safe?”
“You really don’t know a lot about things, eh, Blondie? You won’t hear any animals until we reach the enchanted forest. Many just stay in the enchanted forest for safety since magic protects the creatures. The damn council allows for hunting in these parts, among other nefarious deeds.” It seems the council does more harm than good.
After only a few hours on foot, we stop for a rest. Jax hands me a sandwich. I take out the meat, handing it to Smith, so it’s mostly just sad wilted lettuce and cheese.
“Too good for our meat?” he jokes.
“Vegetarian” is all I say.
