Page 113 of Echoes of the Raven
The ferocity in his voice makes Don Justo pause, though he doesn’t appear intimidated, only quizzical, like a good commander assessing the threats before deciding on the best course of action.
“If I don’t return promptlywiththe amulet,” Don Justo says, “my men have instructions to slit your cousin’s throat.”
“Hijo de puta. Perro!” I curse him, dragging both him and his mother through the mud. “You will regret this.”
Don Justo tenses.
Reaching for The Eldrystone’s power, I think of Jago safe and sound. Warmth spreads through my chest, and I think it must have worked, but can I be sure without seeing it with my own eyes?
Bring him here. Now.
I wait for my cousin with his full head of tousled dirty blond hair and mischievous smile to appear in front of me, but only Don Justo’s frigid blue eyes stare back at me, while Jago’s warm honey-colored gaze remains absent.
With an almost imperceptible exhale of relief, Don Justo makes his demand once more. “Hand over the amulet, unless you don’t want to see your cousin’s insipid face again.”
I exchange a glance with Rífíor. I may not want him to have the amulet back, but Don Justo is an even more unpalatable choice. Still, I can’t risk Jago’s life.
Slowly, I reach for the chain around my neck.
Rífíor shakes his head. “Don’t,” he whispers.
I’m sorry.
I can’t bring myself to say the words out loud, but I’m genuinely sorry. I understand his desire to return to his home. I do. Many times, when he thinks I’m not looking, his dark gaze seems to go blank, the way Mother’s used to whenever she thought of Tirnanog. How many loved ones did he leave behind? How many nights, in the past twenty years, has he lay awake homesick and aching to set foot on his beloved realm?
Yes, I can nearly feel his pain. Yet, I have a duty to my own family, my own realm.
Sick with disgust, I pull the chain over my head and dangle the amulet in front of Don Justo.
Like a snake striking, Rífíor lifts a hand and attempts to take it from me. Just as he’s about to snatch it, an invisible force hits him squarely in the chest and he flies through the air, hits the ground, and skids to a stop ten feet away.
“No, you don’t!” Galen stands, dusting himself with one hand while with the other he shakes a finger at Rífíor as if at a naughty child. Quickly, he spares a look toward the amulet. A flash of surprise crosses his features, but it’s gone in an instant.
Rífíor sits up, looking dizzy. “You fucking—”
“Subdue him,” Don Justo orders his men.
Four guards run to Rífíor. Two point their rapiers at his neck while the other two proceed to tie him to a nearby tree.
I hesitate and nearly pull The Eldrystone back, but Do Justo quickly snatches it away. My heart lurches forward as I mourn its absence. Gleefully, I wait for the amulet to burn him, the way it did Amira, but he’s able to hold it without trouble.
Dammit!I was counting on his inability to handle it.
He turns it this way and that, examining it. His brow furrows as if he’s concentrating on something.
Gods! He’s trying to use it!
I brace myself for… I don’t know what… Rífíor’s and my sudden deaths?
As if from a distance, I hear the guards curse at Rífíor as he fights them. A cold breeze blows through the clearing, carrying the smoke from the bonfire. And an owl hoots somewhere deep in the forest.
Disappointment curdles Don Justo’s features as The Eldrystone vanishes into his jacket pocket with a flick of his wrist. My shoulders slump in quiet gratitude. I can only hope Niamhara is still on my side. Though, I inwardly curse her for allowing this turn of events. Whatever game she’s playing is far beyond my comprehension. I can’t rely on her. I have to ensure Jago’s safety and get the amulet back. I don’tknow how I’ll accomplish either of those things, but I need to think of something. Quickly.
“Make camp,” Don Justo orders, rubbing the back of his neck. For the first time, I notice circles under his eyes. He must have traveled nonstop to catch up with us, and now that he has reached his goal, he suddenly appears exhausted. “You,” he points at a man wearing the Royal Guard uniform.
In fact, now that I pay closer attention, I realize they’re all members of Nido’s guard—the most highly trained and decorated graduates from the Academia de Guardias.
The young guard stops in front of Don Justo and salutes. “Yes, sir.”
