Page 81 of Slaying the Shadow Prince
‘Malik would admit it proudly.’
‘Probably,’ Wilder allowed, looking out across the sparring pairs. ‘They’re not bad, are they?’
‘I’ve seen worse.’
‘When you look in the mirror, you mean?’
‘When I look at you,’ Talemir retorted.
Wilder grinned. ‘I don’t believe you.’
But Talemir’s gaze snapped to the sky. Terrence came soaring towards them, dipping low.
Talemir’s skin prickled, and as if in answer, the hawk circled him in close proximity, demanding his attention.
‘What’s this about?’ Wilder frowned.
‘Something’s wrong.’ Talemir was already moving, following Terrence as he beat his wings, moving away from the square. ‘Stay with the rest,’ he called back, before taking off at a run after the hawk.
The bird led him down a series of small alleyways, soaring between buildings, twisting and turning elegantly before ducking through an open door to what might have once been a butcher’s shop.
Inside was empty. But Talemir instantly heard raised voices from the next room. Terrence landed soundlessly on a workbench and waited as Talemir crept towards the second door, listening.
‘— give it a chance, Drue. You’re just upset about Gus, about —’
‘Don’t you dare attempt to explain my own feelings to me, Coltan.’
‘Please, don’t take it like that. I just… I know we’re good together. We’ve always been good together. Even your brothers thought so.’
‘What a ridiculous line of argument. Why in the realms would my brothers give a shit about who I was fucking?’
‘You don’t need to curse. I only —’
‘Don’t touch me.’
Talemir’s blood went cold.
‘Drue, just remember how it used to be. How good —’
Talemir had heard enough. Sword unsheathed, he stormed through the door to find Coltan crowding Drue in the corner of the dank room, his hands clutching at her waist, Drue’s forearm braced against his torso to hold him at arm’s length.
‘Release her,’ Talemir said, his voice cold as ice.
‘Are you following her now?’ Coltan sneered. ‘I see the way you look at her.’
‘I won’t tell you again,’ Talemir growled, stalking towards the scrawny bastard.
Coltan had the good sense to pale, but not sense enough to shut his trap. ‘This is between Drue and me. You have no business here —’
Talemir’s hand shot out and wrapped around the Naarvian’s throat, lifting him bodily from the floor like he weighed nothing. Coltan’s face reddened instantly.
‘You made it my business.’
‘Talemir,’ Drue said, touching his sword arm. ‘I can defend myself.’
‘That’s not the point,’ Talemir ground out, squeezing Coltan’s throat. The ranger’s eyes bulged in his head. ‘You shouldn’t have to.’
Coltan clawed at his hand, his feet kicking out at Talemir in panic.
