Page 64 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Talon continued moving. It was far better than standing beside Raevina in utter silence. He couldn’t think straight in her presence and could barely function when she was watching him.

And her eyes hadn’t left him since the Weaver’s revelation.

Talon wondered what she thought about it and whether she approved. Maybe she found him revolting now.

Fiadh’s hatred for half-breeds was well known. While Brónach kept them as slaves, Fiadh saw them as nothing more than animals. Lower than animals. They treated humans even worse.

Talon paused at the edge of the tree line and stared down a dark path that led toward the beginning of the mountain range. He shifted his gaze northward, toward Ashling’s real location.

Ellie was there and they’d be on their way to finally rescue her soon. Conall and his companions seemed sincere in that truth at least, it was the rest that had his mind whirling. Not just his, but everyone’s. He knew the facts had been manipulated, too much just didn’t add up, but the sheer volume of manipulation was staggering.

To think they didn’t even know the names of their gods. They had statues and temples and priestesses yet the entire continent was clueless. It was no wonder they seemed to have abandoned the Fae.

Conall wanted to gather information and destroy Ashling, but Talon knew could speak for all of them when he vowed to kill Vairik before ever leaving that place, fortress or no.

Talon continued walking the perimeter. He explored the far fields and the animals within, knowing full well Cara might take him on a tour tomorrow.

Rion had freed her. He’d freed many of the slaves that now called Levea home. Talon had grown up believing the male was nothing more than a monster. Rion had lived his entire life maintaining that façade, never telling anyone otherwise. Even now he wouldn’t defend himself against accusations.

Talon ran a hand through his hair. How different would their lives have been without Vairik’s influence?

Dawn crept across the horizon and lights slowly began flickering to life within the windows. He’d gone back once torelieve Raevina. She’d wandered off, that strange look still on her face, then Saoirse had arrived to take a shift.

Now he watched as males and females, humans, and half-breeds, and Weavers alike all began their day.

The smell of sausage and baking bread floated through the air, making his mouth water. Some stared at him, their gazes curious, but none approached to ask questions. He knew what they’d inquire about. Arianna. And possibly Rion, given that the people here seemed more curious than afraid.

He wandered past a few more homes, then settled between a pair of storehouses, leaning his back against the wooden wall as he watched their morning unfold.

The scene reminded him of Levea. He hoped the next time they set foot in that beautiful city that it’d be for good. Ellie and Kirian would be with them, both safe and sound.

“You’re Talon?”

He startled slightly and tilted his head toward a woman standing a few feet away. She held a bowl of water between her hands. Chestnut hair hung down to her shoulders and wide, doe like eyes watched him with a level of curiosity that had him standing a bit straighter. She wore a long dress, the material pulled tight around her middle by an apron.

“I am,” he said in a questioning tone.

She tilted her head and a gentle smile spread across her face. He might have called her human if not for the revelation about Weavers yesterday. Now he noticed the otherworldly presence in the air surrounding her. It made him wonder if this was how the humans felt around the Fae.

“I’m Róisín. Conall told me to seek you out today.”

“For what?”

“To work on runes. Didn’t he tell you?”

“He mentioned we’d practice at some point, but I didn’t think …” Talon trailed off.

“No better time than the present, right?” He didn’t move from the wall and her smile faded. “Unless you’re busy?”

Talon glanced around. It wasn’t as if they had time to lose, especially if they were mapping out the rescue mission today. But he wasn’t sure he wanted to be alone with her. Not when a Weaver’s magic seemed limitless. He’d seen what Niall had done to the Fae under Ruadhan.

“Where?” he asked.

“Right here.” She nodded to the ground, then held up the bowl of water in her hands as if that was obvious.

Talon quirked a brow. “Okay.”

Her smile returned and she sat cross-legged in the grass, her skirt long and loose enough to accommodate the position. She waited for him to join. Though he was still uncertain, Talon sat across from her.

---