Page 35 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

My hand tightens on Rain’s straps, a path across the street open and clear. We could run. Right now. I could take Rain and make my way to Lingate on my own, leave this horseshit behind. I’m running at full strength thanks to Jagger’s blood and skillful hands. I could find my own way into the palace. I could?—

Jagger’s groan splits through my thoughts like the sound of a rung bell. My eyes snap back to the fight. Balan is atop Jagger, a blade poised at the corner of his mouth as he reaches for Jagger’s tongue like he’s going to cut it out.

Instinct barrels over me, a wave of primal energy that drowns out all other thought.

One second, I’m crouched behind the safety of the wall, the next my palm strikes the center of Balan’s chest, sending him flying the opposite direction. Jagger is on his feet before I can turn to check on him, blocking a blow from an oncoming attacker, their blades crashing together an inch from my face.

My fangs punch out, adrenaline surging as I throw myself into the heart of the battle. I duck Jagger’s second volley, sliding to my knees as I kick out the feet of another one of Balan’s men, sending him crashing to the ground. I grip his face, hauling his head up before bouncing it off the cobblestones, a small crack giving beneath the pressure I add to the hit. He’s goes limp beneath me, breathing but out cold.

I leap off of him, drawing my daggers from my satchel in one smooth motion. I see Zev’s legs buckle under the weight of the men he’s fending off. He’s beautiful as he fights, all ruthless willand jagged strength. I have no doubt he’ll gain the advantage with these men, but something screams at me to not let him do it alone.

Mine.

The word clangs through me as I fight for both of them, mycaptorsfor Goddess’s sake.

Fuck it, I’ll think about that later.

I force it to the back of my mind, giving myself over to the need thrumming through my veins to defend them, and sprint over to Zev.

One of the men has drawn blood. I can smell it.

Zev’sblood.

A cut along his shoulder, shallow but enough that my mouth waters at his scent. I snap my arm around the man’s neck from behind, hauling him backward as the two of us careen to the cobblestone road. I roll atop him, fangs bared as I snap my teeth and press my dagger against his neck. The drifter almost pisses his pants, and I laugh before slamming the hilt of my dagger into his face hard enough to put him to sleep.

I could kill him. Could kill them all with barely a wave of my hand. My magic is practicallybeggingto burst from my fingertips and put an end to this foolishness.

But I won’t be the monster they all think I am.

Besides, who am I to know if Zev and Jagger will pay for it? There has to be some code among drifters, right? Even though Balan and his men seem to have forgotten it if there is one.

Zev grunts, and I spin around just in time to watch him render the last two fighters unconscious. Jagger does the same, and I rush over to where Balan is still unconscious from my blow.

Jagger gets to me first. “You okay, dove?”

I nod, catching my breath.

Zev meets us next, sheathing his sword as he gives me a quick glance. Silent, studying, and then it’s done.

“Do we kill them?” I ask, finally breaking the silence as he and Jagger stare at each other.

Zev’s eyes widen, and Jagger laughs.

“Not today,” he says. “More trouble than it’s worth.”

I shrug, then move at top speeds to check on Rain. He’s good, if not a little jumpy, and right where I left him. I climb back into the saddle, gently slapping the reins, and stop before Zev and Jagger. “Well?” I ask, raising my brows at both their semi-shocked looks. “We don’t want to be here when they wake up then, do we?”

Zev blinks up at me, once, twice, then nods. “Hurry.”

And we take off into the night.

Chapter 10

Livana

We make camp just outside of Destowne, along the endless beaches tucked against the western shores. The closeness to the water makes it colder here than I’d like, but there’s an expanse of lush forest not far away, offering us enough cover to hopefully deter any more chance run-ins with rival drifter groups.

I settle on the soft white sand, finding a dry spot far enough away from the crashing waves to not get soaked. Zev gets a small fire going to stave off the chill, ensuring it doesn’t ignite enough to leave a large smoke trail that would lead the drifters to us. He pokes at it randomly yet somehow still making the task seem stoic. Jagger, regrettably, left to hunt for more dry wood, leaving Zev and me alone.

---