Page 103 of Blood Feast

“Are you tired? This is a lot to ask of you. I wish I could make you immortal.”

The thought squeezed her heart. She would have him with her for another decade at least, given how much longer a liegehound’s lifespan was than a mundane dog’s. But that didn’t sound like very much time now that she would live forever.

She stroked his side. “Do you suppose you could reconcile yourself to becoming a Hesperine’s familiar? Would that magic even work on you?”

The awakening potential of her beast magic, not even her full power, had been enough to convince Knight to protect Hesperines instead of hunting them. But she did not have that power now.

“Muster out, Shadow!” came Mak’s very cheerful, very loud voice from outside the tent. Karege would have been proud.

Knight chuffed with displeasure. Cassia rubbed her sensitive ears. “Are you trying to wake the dead, Wisdom?”

At the mention of his honorary fortune name bestowed by the Ashes, he only sounded more cheerful. “Lazy newgifts are harder to wake than the dead! Up and at it!”

She did her best to smooth her rumpled travel robes before leaving the tent. Would she ever learn Hesperine cleaning spells? At least she wasn’t a mortal in need of a privy first thing in the morning. Or rather, at twilight.

In the deepening dusk, her eyes instantly locked on Lio’s. He looked back at her across the stone circle, searching her gaze. His confusion and pain throbbed in their Union, and she knew she was the cause.

The site’s ancient power uncoiled inside her. Heat throbbed deep in her body, in her magic. Before she thought, she took a step toward him.

Winter rain spattered down between the stones, and the cold drops on her cheeks brought her to her senses. They had to leave this place.

Mak eyed her fangs. “Do I need to give you a bottle of thirst suppressant?”

She slapped her hands over her mouth and mumbled a curse.

Lyros slung one more pack onto General. “Get a veil at our next stop. We’re nearly ready to go.”

Lio, his high, pale cheekbones painted with a handsome flush, focused his attention on dismantling their tent.

They led their horses out of the circle and back into the world as they knew it. The Lustra’s compulsion faded but left Cassia with her Craving.

Lio drew near. She wished he wouldn’t. He didn’t touch her, but she felt his mind voice all over her body.Can you make it until we find a safer place to camp?

Her gaze fixed on his throat.I drank from you last night, just before we left the lighthouse. And we’ll find somewhere I can drink later tonight. Hesperines are fine with one dose of blood each night.

Not newgifts, and not after a battle.

The look he gave her made her wonder if he was considering carrying her off right this moment, covering them in veil spells, and feasting with her on the nearest patch of grass. Her face flamed.

We’ll wait a few more hours to make sure my blood is safe,he said.But I will not leave you in withdrawal longer than that.

When Lyros pulled them over for a quick strategy session, Cassia was grateful for the interruption.

“You two didn’t have much time to sharpen your combat skills before we left. Mak and I will continue your training when we find a safe enough place. Until then, trust your experience from past battles, but follow our instructions, understood?”

Cassia and Lio both nodded in agreement. Despite all the dangers they had survived until now, she didn’t feel prepared.

Now that they had left the circle, they were able to step back to the road. Knight was the first to notice the tracks leading southwest. He nosed around the imprints left by horses, carts, and shoes.

“A large group passed this way while we slept,” Lyros observed.

“Looks like it could have been a group of knights and villagers,” Mak said.

Cassia frowned. “It does, but I expected to find them farther northeast of here. Flavian has holdings there where Ben would be likely to settle them. Why would they travel this far southwest? There’s nothing in that direction but the rivers.”

“Let’s find out,” said Lio. “I’ll try to sense any minds as we ride. Hopefully we can pinpoint the auras of the couple we’re looking for.”

“Warn us if you feel the person following us,” Lyros said.

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