Page 27 of Tricky Princess
“You should save your energy,” Billy said to Devon.
He held on to the shadows for a few seconds longer before letting them disappear around him. “I’ve been working on deepening my power; this is only surface stuff.”
“Well, we have about another five hours of walking before we rest for the night. Tomorrow is going to be a battle.”
“You keep saying that,” Sam whined, “but I feel like I’m on a nature hike.”
“I thought wolves loved running through the woods,” Billy said.
“We do, but it’s more fun when you’re chasing a tasty boyfriend under the moonlight.”
Devon’s eyes went wide, and he dipped his chin, probably trying to hide the dimple that was trying to appear.
Ros bumped him with his shoulder. “Could be worse, he could be like Billy, trying to get sandwiched between you and Garm.”
Devon smiled and bumped him back. “I probably wouldn’t say no to that.” They both laughed as Billy began fanning herself.
It would never happen, but they could joke and be too close for most people’s comfort. He couldn’t wait to have Ellea back in the mix of their weird group.
The snap of a stick had Ros awake instantly. He didn’t open his eyes but reached under his pillow for his dagger as his tent flap opened. It could be a friend, or it could be something else. This part of the realm was messing with his ability to sense those around him. He had taken the first watch, no one should have been waking him up yet. Before they could speak, Ros turned and grabbed them by the shirt and pressed the dagger under their chin.
“It’s Devon.”
Ros instantly dropped the dagger and inhaled Devon's scent. Lemons, vanilla, and rosemary.
Devon’s pulse was a flurry of fear, and Ros got to his feet instantly. “What is it?”
“Sam, h-he never came back from watch.”
Ros pushed through his tent and sent a stream of shadows and thoughts to wake Billy and Garm. He stormed around their site, looking for any sign of struggle. The sun was barely up, but Ros could see a small area where the leaves and dirt had been disturbed. He rushed through the trees, following a groove left in the dirt. It looked like something had been dragged. It lasted about thirty feet before there was nothing.
“They could have two to four hours on us depending on when they took him,” Garm said, pulling a shirt over his head as he made it to where Ros stood.
Fuck.
Gods only knew what had taken him. He sniffed the air; the smells of pine and cedar mixed the rancid smells of dead flesh and moldy earth. Any creature imaginable could be responsible. Ros turned back to the campsite, where Billy was consoling a worried Devon. It was time for a plan, not to crumble. This was simply one bad step on a hard journey; all missions had them.
“Shift, follow the scent, and report back,” Ros ordered. “We’ll pack up and be ready to hunt them down by the time you get back.”
Garm nodded once and looked to Billy, who was already shifting to her beast form. They both bolted in the direction of Sam’s fading scent. Ros walked to Devon and grasped him by the shoulders, forcing his light eyes upward.
“We’ll get him back.”
“I should have taken watch with him.”
“No, we aren’t blaming ourselves for this. Let’s pack up and be ready to get him back.”
Devon searched his face before finally dipping his head in agreement. They got to work, packing and clearing any trace they’d been there. Ros hoped they wouldn’t be too late. He shook the thought from his mind. He wouldn’t think the worst; they would get him back.
Ros was helping Devon with his pack when Billy and Garm came bounding back through the clearing. The search had only taken them fifteen minutes in their beast forms; it would take them longer on foot.
Ten of them, Garm said. They look like hags, but they aren’t. It’s hard to explain, but he’s still alive.
“Lead the way. We will find a place to drop the packs along the way and get him out.”
“What do they want with him?” Devon’s voice was pure ice, and his features had turned sharp and vicious.
Garm shook his large head while Billy’s eyes glanced between the both of them. Ros could only imagine what was going through Devon’s mind; it was probably the darkest thing he could think of.
