Page 80 of The Veil of Blood and Magic

Chapter 21

Livana

“Why aren’t we continuing forward?” I ask when Zev turns Rain toward an elevated path off the main road that will take us northwest.

“We have to go to Pathsway.”

“Drifter territory?” I ask. “Why in Aletha’s name would you want to take me there?” I ask, my eyes darting between the two of them.

It’s hard not to flush at the sight of the two males after what they did to me last night, but the shock of heading toward Pathsway, home to the Drifter Academy, is enough to quell it.

“Won’t they punish you?” I continue when they don’t answer, and I lower my voice as if the deserted road will grow ears and betray what I say next. We’ve seen our fair share of travelers, but not enough to worry about being overheard. “For slaughtering a fellow drifter crew?”

“Do you honestly think I’d go there if they would?” Zev asks, flashing me an incredulous look.

My shoulders drop. “I don’t know you two that well.”

Jagger cocks a brow in challenge at that statement, but Zev just looks unamused.

“What?” I shrug. “Physically, sure. I know what you both taste like, but emotionally? Don’t look so shocked, it’s not like either of you fully trust me either.”

We haven’t had time to build anyrealtrust yet, but not trying to kill me upon learning my secret goes a long way in forming a foundation to build on.

They share a silent glance before returning focus on me.

“So this is where we parts ways then?”

Zev tilts his head, those golden eyes piercing.

“I have no interest in being fodder for another drifter battle,” I say. “If ever I had motivation to run, it’s now.”

Zev takes one step toward me, his massive body towering over me as I look up at him.

“And being turned over to the Collector wasn’t motivation to run?” he asks, voice low and rough.

I glance to Jagger, who seems to be wondering the same thing.

Shit. They’re too close to unraveling the real reasons I haven’t run from them yet. But going to Pathsway will be out of the way and I’m so close to Lingate. To reaching my goal…of course, I kind of need them to get into the palace.

“You are full of secrets, aren’t you, dove?” Jagger asks, no judgment in his tone.

“Clearly,” I say.

“Drifters are forbidden from attempting to steal bounties at the academy,” Jagger explains. “Outside the castle? Every bounty is fair game.”

Zev let’s out a low, frustrated growl. “There will be no battle over you. You’re our bounty and no one will touch you. We’ll see to that.” He points toward the northwest. “We go to Pathsway because we must inform our leader of the incident,” he explains.

“And hang their necklaces on the great mountain where they belong,” Jagger adds.

I curl my lip, disgust rolling through me. “They tortured me,” I whisper. “They were going to take turns having their way me. Whatever resting ritual drifters have, they don’t deserve it.”

My eyes dip to their necks, to where their drifter necklaces hang at the hollow of their throats. Zev’s is a golden chain, a small star charm with an internal piece that spins resting in the center. Jagger’s is the same, but a cerulean blue color.

“Of course they don’t,” Jagger says. “We don’t go to honor them.”

“Then why?—"

“We go so that no one else can find them and siphon their power.”

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