Page 15 of Lich's Mate

“Auction house is just ahead,” one of them says to me, opening my cage and leaving the dishes on the floor. “That means we need you to look a little less pathetic, so you can make some demon happy.”

I look at Abigail, my eyes widening as if to say, ‘See? I told you.’

But this is not what I had in mind. Because as long as we’ve been traveling, and as much as I’ve deceived myself, we’ve never been close to our destination. Not like this.

That means my windows have grown awfully small. Soon, I’m going to be sold to somebody who will doubtlessly treat me even worse than these xaphan extremists. If I don’t find some way out of these bindings and away from my cage, then my last hope will be gone.

And, as the group of muscular xaphans slams my cage shut, I know that I stood no chance of overpowering them—that I am nothing to their strength.

If I try to run, I’m going to be killed just like the others—shot by a stray arrow, or driven to my death at the base of a cliff.

Any day now. We’ve got to be close.

What hope was I clinging to? Why did I think we would be better off at our destination than on the long, unforgiving trail there?

I take comfort that at least Abigail has water, as she sates her thirst, and I try to imagine the devastating life waiting for me ahead.

And I don’t know why I’m still fighting.

6

KAVIAN

Well, that was easier than expected.

In the distance, I can see the caravan, a good way from the city limits. It has stopped momentarily, pausing to set up a campfire. But the faint flickers of movement from among its guards tell me that it might soon resume movement toward New Solas.

I have to approach it carefully. If I’m seen, Gorran might well take action to prevent my interference, if I’m not killed entirely.

Stalking among the trees and using the shadows to my advantage, noting that I might make use of them if things go south, I move toward the caravan, hiding under hills and jagged cliffs when opportunities present themselves. If I’m going to be successful, I’ll need to blend in.

The caravan is now within view, the city far in the distance. My feet are already tired. It took quite a long walk to get here. But perhaps it will all be worth it.

I can’t wait to wipe the smug grin right off his face.

He’s succeeded for far too long, using unethical business practices and shortcuts. As I notice the sorry state of his cargo, I realize that not only is he cheating to get ahead, but he’s also neglecting his products. The humans look to be thinned out and damaged, their eyes portraying possible sickness.

If you’re going to embrace something like the slave trade, it shouldn’t be like this. The auction houses where he’s taking them are getting ripped off.

“A tiny sliver for the tiny lady,” one of the guards says, throwing a small bowl haphazardly in front of a striking woman. Perhaps it’s a trick of the light, but something about her is enchanting to me.

Perhaps Gorran saw me coming and hired a spy to distract me. Because no human woman is that attractive. This can only be some strange and forbidden magic.

I shake my head and refocus myself before I get a good look at her.

I can’t get distracted now.

I need to remain agile.

“Oh, don’t look so sad, little girl,” the guard says to the woman. “You know that if we feed you more than that, it’ll fatten you up. And you don’t fetch as much on the open market with a gut.”

I shake my head in disbelief, imagining the paltry serving in front of the woman. This is not the way you take care of your cargo.

The guard slams the cage shut and walks away.

I watch as the caravan starts moving and prepare myself to move quickly, following from among the shadows.

I’m not entirely sure what I’m planning. Coming out here, I suddenly feel a bit reckless. Which isn’t abnormal for me. But if I’m going to get anywhere and survive against Gorran, I’m going to need to be careful.

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