Page 59 of Elven Crown

The docks were supposed to be empty, and with no sign of Eduardo’s convoy entering the premises, that meant anyone else could be here making noise right now, even watching Rebecca and her team.

“What was that?” she whispered.

Maxwell started to shake his head.

“Did I just hear you openly admit defeat?” someone asked from behind them.

Rebecca spun around with her weapon at the ready and would have fired on the intruder if her reflexes had been any slower.

It was Rowan.

“What the hell are you doing?” she hissed.

Beside her, Maxwell let out a muted snarl in his attempt to remain quiet through his bursting anger. “Who told you to leave your fucking post?”

Rowan blinked at the shifter and leaned casually sideways against the wall of the shipping container. “No one. I just got bored. I mean, it’s not like there’s anyone else here.”

“They’re called orders for a reason.” Maxwell lowered his weapon away from Rowan’s chest, but his hands tightened around the grip just the same. “Following them is the only way we get anything done.”

“Well, agree to disagree.” Rowan spread his arms. “I’m sure there are other ways, but I thought I’d just stop by. You know, see where the real fun is over here with you two. But enough about me. You didn’t answer my question. You guys were talking about retreat.”

Rolling her eyes, Rebecca turned away from him to focus again on scouring the empty docks for signs of movement and muttered, “Unforeseen circumstances.”

That was a complete lie, of course. Everyone had foreseen Aldous being himself on that mission—and every other—and irrevocably screwing over his team in the process.

She didn’t have the time or the patience to try explaining any of that to Rowan. Something told her he wasn’t genuinely interested in the answer.

“And that’s supposed to be different now,” Rowan added. “Have I got that right?”

“Supposed to be, yes,” Maxwell grumbled. “Whenyoureturn to your post.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to get my bearings, here.” Rowan’s smirk didn’t make Rebecca want to hit him any less than any other time she saw it, but that was probably what he wanted.

“Which leads me to another question,” Rowan continued. “Just how long do you guys usually make it through something like this before you’re all running away with your tail between your legs? Not like anyone’s been timing you. Which, if you wanted, I’d be happy to do. But that’s an important variable to consider.

“I mean, as the new guy, I’m entitled to that kinda data, don’t you think? Just so I can better understand what I’m really getting into.”

Rebecca couldn’t look at him anymore. If she did, she might not be able to control herself any longer.

He needed to shut up and give it a rest.

“Anyone?” Rowan looked back and forth between Rebecca and Maxwell, neither of whom acknowledged him, even with eye contact.

“I can tell you how much longer youwon’tbe here if you don’t return to your post,” Maxwell growled.

“Hey, relax, pal. No one else is even here yet. Don’t worry. I’ll get out of your way before these guys you’re going after get any farther into it.”

Rebecca forced herself to ignore him, which was her only proven tactic for getting rid of Rowan when she didn’t have it in her to deal with him.

Maxwell clearly hadn’t gotten that message.

He snarled in Rowan’s face next, as if that could intimidate the elf into following orders he didn’t acknowledge and most likely never would.

That wasn’t going to work, either.

“Hey, riddle me this, though.” Still leaning casually against the outside of the shipping container, Rowan gestured with a long, slender hand toward the end of the docks and the water glinting in calm ripples beneath the low glow of the buildings’ exterior lights. “How can anything that needs aboatto get where it’s going be that important?”

Maxwell hissed through his clenched teeth and made a commendable effort to return his full attention to the docks again.

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