Page 92 of Hunt Me

“Yes, that’s clear.”

“Look, this is how things work in the Crossroads. It’s not like Tartarus.”

“And how does Tartarus work?”

“I guess I wouldn’t know. I haven’t seen it.”

“Would you like to?”

The question throws me off. “I don’t know. What do you mean?”

“Come into town with me. Let me show you around.”

I stare back at him, not sure where this is coming from. “What happened to a busy day of curse-breaking?”

“I asked Klyn to help me track down someone who might be able to give us answers, but he hasn’t found them yet.”

My brow goes up at that. “Another goat woman?”

“No. Someone in the Earth realm.”

“Okay.” I draw out the word, hoping he’ll elaborate.

“We’ll know more in a few days.”

“And in the meantime, you want to play tourist in your own realm?”

“I want to show you this world has more to offer than being a prison.”

“Isn’t that what it’s been for you?”

“At first,” he admits. “But then it became an escape. And from there, a home. A chance to stop running.”

“What could you possibly have to run from?”

His expression darkens, a shadow haunting his eyes so deeply that I know he’s holding something back from me. “So, your father’s former friend specifically offered a deal for the death dragon, huh? What else did Uziah say about me?”

“That you’re capable of destruction beyond this realm’s comprehension. But everyone in the Crossroads knows that.”

Legion doesn’t answer.

The silence leaves me more convinced of a secret hanging between us.

“What’s this really about?” I ask.

“My… reputation offers a challenge that is irresistible to the greedy and foolish.”

His voice is hard now, his expression unyielding, as if I’ve somehow offended him. It makes no sense.

“What are you talking about? Your reputation is that of a killer. They call you the death dragon. Who would be stupid enough to mess with someone like that?”

He gives me a pointed look that has me rolling my eyes. My temper is a streak of impatience that has me snapping, “Don’t change the subject. Tell me what this is about.”

He sighs. “My bloodline is a commodity I can’t afford to expose.”

“Excuse me?”

“My bloodline. You asked why Klyn and I were talking about it the other night. This is it.”

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