Page 91 of The Satyr's Guilt
“What changed?” Kole swung his attention toDenim.
“Maybe fighting with Ram was acatalyst.”
Nico tut-tutted the suggestion. “Can’t be.I’ve been in plenty of bloody skirmishes since coming toScath.”
Squinted eyes, clucks, and pursed lipsindicated everyone was thinking hard.
Bounty leaned into the doorway, interruptingtheir concentration. “I hate to interrupt this party, but HighCommander Cadmon is on the phone. Says it’s urgent. Females, whatdo you think of this shade?” She fanned a hand through the air.“Bitches’ Blood. Too much?”
“No. I love the color.” Margo glanced at herown nails.
“You’re right. How can anything be too much?Anyway, pick up the phone.”
Kole reached for thelandline. “All of you need to get together. Talk about whatjumpstarts this thing. Meet with Alarik. His brainiacs can figureit out. It’s obviously above my pay grade.”
****
Lizette woke like a lazy cat, yawning,stretching, before she settled against the headboard. The menacingman sprawled on nearby floor pillows was a behemoth, bigger thanSpear. His eyes, crowned with unswerving brows, were fierce,flinty, those of a predatory animal. They fixed on her. She shouldhave been frightened. She wasn’t.
His face was hard, cold stone. Only his lipslooked soft. He extended his legs, an arm behind his thick neck,his head on a pillow while he studied her. Long, dark hair hungnearly to his waist, some strands woven into tight braids at histemples, making him resemble a savage warrior.
He wore loose-fitting black pants with noshirt, exposing faded tattoos on his chest, bulky arms, neck. Theydisappeared into his waistband. When she had asked the other day,he called them battle glyphs, explaining how djinn got a new onefor every victory. The only colorful marking was a Phoenix on hisbicep.
Unfolding from the floor with surprisinggrace to stand at least six-foot-eight, he approached with long,calm strides.
His eyes softened. “I mean no harm. I likeobserving you sleep. Forgive my intrusion, Lizette.”
Though he clearly could break her in halfwith no effort, she trusted him. He had saved her. She liked whenhe watched over her while she slept, which she had been doingregularly since her body was repairing itself.
“I don’t mind, Jarek. Stay. I feel safe whenyou’re near.”
He stared at her neck, the spot where thebastard had branded her with his mark. Ashamed, Lizette covered itwith her hand.
“Do you want to talk yet? I can fetchKara.”
“Don’t. I’d rather tell my story toyou.”
When she couldn’t begin, he waited, his eyesexpressionless.
Lizette focused on his lips. “I was in NewYork.” She swallowed hard, having trouble gathering her memories.Finally, the words tumbled out of her mouth. “I left work at theradio station. I was walking to the subway when someone threw a bagover my head, tossing me into a van. The next thing I remember, Iwoke up in a cage. It was dirty. Cold. Other people werethere.”
“Sounds like one of the stockades run bySilas and Aisen.”
“Yes. Yes. Aisen. I know the name.” Shepushed up straighter but held the cover tight to her chest.
“Then what?”
“Then Spear dragged me out. He took me tohis house. I couldn’t get away. I tried.” She slapped her palmacross her mouth, refusing to allow the moisture in her eyes tofall as tears.
“My Firebrands and I were searching forslaves sold by Silas and Aisen when we heard one might be in thecamp. By the time we got to Spear’s hovel, you were gone.”
Her arms fell to her sides, the pelt coverslipping, revealing the outline of her breasts beneath the thinwhite gown Kara had found for her. “I escaped. Have you located himyet?”
“No, but we won’t give up. My promise.”
“The cave. I crawled in there to get out ofthe rain. To sleep. I remember little else.” She hesitated,dreading his answer. “Please don’t be offended, but I have aquestion.”
“You could not offend me, Lizette. Ask.”
