Page 64 of Untamed

Tap-tap-tap

Someone knocked on the door.

“Now.” I kept the paper over her hand.

Laude lifted her fiery fingertip, and I placed paper in the flame. I held the corners as the edges crumpled and blackened. The last portion fell to the wood floor like the slow swooping of a seagull finding its way to shore. Laude stomped out the fire.

Tap-tap-tap

“Beloved,” Zichri called from the other side of the door. “Ignacio informed me you are here.”

We waved away the smoke, and I stuffed the parchment map into its leather sack. Laude stuffed the evidence into her sleeve as I opened the door.

“What are the two of you doing in this dingy quarter?” Zichri’s skin had a golden sheen from a day spent outdoors. He kissed my cheek and continued into the room where he poked the tip of his leather boot into a small pile of ash.

“The same as you.” Laude crossed her arms. The loose fabric acted as a great concealer even though I didn’t think we needed to hide anything from him.

He laughed and sat atop Laude’s bed. “You two cut to the real tale. Last night something happened, and that pile of ash proves it.”

“The Black Knight plans to kill us.” I sat across from him. “Mon—

He held out his hand to stop me from speaking and pointed to his ears as if to say someone could be listening. “Don’t tell me how you know this. Do you trust the informant?”

“Yes.” I shared a look with Laude.

She plopped beside me, giving my Zichri a weary stare.

“Hmm.” Zichri raked fingers in his cropped hair, contemplating. “I’m assuming Cosme doesn’t know you’re here.”

I shook my head.

“And you haven’t any idea who arrived on the new galleon?” He propped his elbow on his knee.

“Is that a rhetorical question?” I asked.

“Well, we know it’s the Black Prin—” Laude took a steadying breath. “But we haven’t a clue who that is. Just clarifying.” Laude twisted a curl and untwisted it, leaving puffy frizz on her shoulder in its wake.

The corners of Zichri’s mouth twitched, giving him a rogue appearance with some other meaning in the sweep of his gaze. I wanted to melt into his arms but resisted. Nothing, including myself, could jeopardize thousands of nights alone with this heartthrob.

“We have until the masquerade.” I placed my palms over my pounding heart.

Zichri stood a breath away and offered to help me stand. “We either wait for death and learn the identity of your enemy or leave beforehand and wait for future attacks.”

My stomach spun at his words and at his nearness. His lips parted as if to say more.

I took his hand, lifted myself up, and met his warm gaze. “When you say it that way, we haven’t a choice.”

“Of course, you have a choice.” He captured my arms. “Can you use your gift?”

“Zichri.” I lowered my voice.

“Beatriz.” He copied my tone. “You aren’t powerless.”

Laude bit her bottom lip and rocked on her heels. “Did you want to see the…” She pushed the pouch into his grasp.

Though no magic was at play, the spell between Zichri and me broke. We needed his insight, and this thing between us would distract us from our mission.

He nodded and plucked the parchments out of the leather pouch. His focus sped across the papers, and his color paled. “These words are cursed. We’re up against another whyzer.”

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