Page 52 of Taking Jenny
“Given Tiger’s initial dislike of Mal, I must imagine you were too shocked to say anything when you found them in bed together. Do not be disappointed with yourself for not reacting maturely in the moment, Jenny. Shock and confusion are also valid emotions.”
“Please, I just…I appreciate that you’re trying to help me, Longshot, but I would rather just focus on the training, if that’s okay with you.”
“I prefer it.”
We walked to the start of the trail, and he gestured to the terrain ahead. “One thing to keep in mind about the mountain is that you will find supplies along the paths. Some will be traps, others will not be. You must be able to discern the difference without touching them because you do not know what will trigger a trap.”
Lovely.“What kind of traps?”
“Anything,” he said, and shrugged. “It could be food set in a snare or a hanging water jug dangling over a disguised pit of spikes.”
“Seriously?” I gaped at him. “Your people frown on cheating on your partners, but it’s okay to cheat at life and death?”
“Cheating on a partner is not strategic. However, creating anadvantagein a competition is very useful.”
“So, it’s not because cheating in a relationship ismorallywrong—it’s because it tears at the fabric of the relationship. It eats away at trust.”
“Precisely,” he said as he lifted a thick branch from the path and tossed it aside like it was a toothpick. “There are few things that can destroy a relationship quite as well as losing trust in someone.”
I nodded in agreement. “I’ve seen it myself. Wait, how did we end up back on relationships?”
A smiled tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I believe that was your doing, when you asked about Ladrians and our theories regarding cheating.”
I sighed. “I guess I have a lot on my mind.”
“Are you sure you want to train today?”
I gave him a succinct nod. “Without question.”
“Good. Race you to the old lemon oak,” he said, then abruptly took off.
“Cheater!” I shouted, before I sprinted after him.
As I ran, my mind did too. I wanted to think about anything but Tiger and Mal, and somehow, I ended up thinking of my sister Sarah and her two companions, Jac and Deacon. They seemed so happy together, all three of them. It looked so effortless from the outside of things, but I wondered how easy it really was on the inside.I bet they talk about everything.
Wait, why hasn’t she contacted me here?
In all fairness to Sarah, I had been gone for only a few days and there was no reason for her to think anything was wrong. Unless me running Illiapol was actual news—then she probably knows what’s going on.No, she couldn’t possibly know about that.Sarah would have gotten word to me or figured out a way to rescue me by now, if she knew.
Unless she got arrested, too.
If Tiger and I were arrested in connection to Jac and Deacon, then they were wanted by the law, as well. If my pregnant sister came to Orhon to rescue me andshewas thrown into prison, or worse, executed…I stopped running and doubled over in sheer panic, vomiting my coffee.
Longshot heard the noise and jogged back, handing me a canteen with water. “I told you, you needed to eat before we trained.”
I rinsed, spat, and panted. “If my sister came after me here on Orhon and was arrested, would Mal get word of her arrest?”
“Who is your sister?”
“That’s not important,” I said, not wanting to reveal the truth. “Would Mal find out?”
“It is likely, but only if she said your name.” His gaze narrowed ever so slightly. “How would your human sister track you here, Jenny? Who is she?”
I braced myself on my knees and gasped, breathing in my relief. “Doesn’t matter. I just needed to know that. Thank you, Longshot.”
“Very well.” He didn’t look convinced, but didn’t pry further. “Would you like me to carry you back in your weakened state, so that you may eat a proper meal?”
I shook my head. “Couldn’t keep food down if I tried.”
