Page 62 of Rogue Elves of Ardani

“I might.”

He laughed. “You’ll be relieved to know that Patros doesn’t want me to kill you.”

“Fortunately, I’m under no such restrictions,” Crow replied.

“You could come quietly, instead.”

“Fuck you.”

Vaara didn’t wait for instruction. He faded as he drew his sword and sliced it toward the man in one motion.

Toreg turned to block the blow, angling his sword to shove him aside. He stared at Vaara, taking in his semi-transparent shape. “What in the hells…?”

Crow leaped forward, stabbing her knife down, and Vaara’s heart stuttered. She was going to get herself killed.

Toreg whirled away from Crow’s attack and managed to knock Vaara away again before counterattacking. Vaara was forced to duck and then duck again as Toreg’s sword came at him. There was nowhere to hide, no darkness to slip into and disappear. Only open space, too-bright daylight, and sharp blades.

“Are you two being serious?” Toreg scoffed. “You set out to assassinate one of the most powerful men in Valtos on your own, and this is your attempt? Are you even trying? Come on, I’m only one man. You can do better than this.”

Crow dove in from behind him again. He lazily turned and grabbed her by the throat before she could bring her knife down. Crow’s eyes widened in surprise. Vaara stared, equally shocked. He’d grasped her bare skin. Surely if he’d been hired by Patros to deal with Crow, Patros would have told him what she was?

“You’re both ridiculous,” Toreg said. He turned to Crow, who made no attempt to escape his hold. He gave her a sly grin, lowering his voice. “Hey. How about that dick-sucking we talked about? I’m still game if you are.”

Crow just watched him and waited, quiet amusement spreading across her face.

There was a pause, and then a flash of panic on Toreg’s face as he realized his mistake. He’d forgotten. He’d known what she was—he’d just forgotten.

Before he could let go of her, Crow took control of him. He suddenly snapped up straight, rigid as a statue. Crow reached up and took his hand, then slowly moved it off her neck to hold it out at arm’s length. The sword dropped from his hand.

“Godsdamned idiot,” she said, shaking her head.

He stood completely still, completely under her control. And it didn’t even look as if it had been difficult for her. Vaara hadn’t seen her do this since the guard at the prison. He’d nearly forgotten how terrifying it was.

He circled around to stand beside Crow and look the man in the face. Even his eyes were unmoving. He couldn’t evenlooksomewhere without her approval. Could she stop his breathing, too? Loose his bowels? Make him put that sword in himself like she’d suggested?

Could she have done any of those things to himself last night, when he’d foolishly allowed her to touch him?

“Is he… conscious?” Vaara asked.

“Yes.”

“Good.” He raised his sword to bring it through Toreg’s gut. He could have sworn he saw a tiny shudder go through the man, even through Crow’s hold on him.

“Wait,” Crow said sharply, holding up a hand to stop him.

Vaara stopped, disappointed. “What?”

“We’ll tie him down somewhere. Get the rope from my pack, if it pleases you.”

Since it was not technically a command, and that annoying pull of the binding never came, he argued. “We’re wasting time.”

“So be it.”

“Your master could be running as we speak. We could miss him.”

She looked up toward the house, her face drawn. “I know.”

He reluctantly sheathed his sword. Then his eye went to the blood that was dripping from her sleeve and onto Toreg’s clothes. “Your arm is bleeding, Crow.”

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