Page 153 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
Finally, her cousin’s face broke its serene facade. With a panicked look, Luke dropped to the ground. In the split second before the blast of energy hit him, Luke touched the floor of the ring and activated, “[Static Force].” He was hit by a wave of purple energy that sent him flying as the entire floor erupted in silver arching sparks.
Warren, standing on that floor, had a spark explode at his feet which discharged him into the force field that encircled the arena. Both Luke and Warren hit the boundary of the ring hard enough to send waves rippling through the dome.
Luke hit the ground first.
“And the battle goes to Guild Master Warren Jones!”
The announcer was yelling, and everyone was yelling, and Brownie suddenly remembered yesterday’s excitement with Rufus, so she turned to the beastman and reached out a hand to his.
He held her hand like a lifeline, but otherwise seemed to be taking the ruckus in stride.
“I didn’t know Guild Master Warren was a demon.” He nodded back at the fight.
She explained. “Ah, yes. He’s been the guild master for a hundred years at this point. Their Royal Highness Rowen’s grandfather won a bet with the demon, and so he’s been forced to lead the Adventurer’s Guild for a full hundred years. I think he’s stepping down later this summer, actually.”
“Really?” Rufus eyed the demon who had walked over to shake hands with Brownie’s cousin. He happily accepted the antidote from the amused but also annoyed fox. When he regained control of his arm, he reached up and scratched the back of his head before turning to wave at the audience.
It was a good thing that Luke had given the demon the antidote, since he was about to fight all the contestants who had lost going into the preliminary rounds.
“Rufus?” Brownie squeezed his hand. “Can we go somewhere else?”
Her beastman stood up, nodding. “Of course. Where would you like to go?”
He didn’t hesitate, simply tossing a few gold coins onto the table. Brownie reached for her instrument and realized she’d been so out of sorts that morning she’d actually left Danielle back in her room.
For some reason, that was enough to send her over the edge. All of a sudden, tears sprang to her eyes, and Rufus visibly panicked. She let him pull her to her feet and then she leaned down and hugged him.
Rufus stiffened.
Brownie rubbed her eyes. “Let’s go back to my room. I wanna talk.”
CHAPTER 93
Say It for Me
Rufus
My heart was racing as we walked back to the inn, hand in hand. Bronwynn waved away my concern as she sniffed. She was holding back as much as she could.
The second the door to her room closed behind us, she fell into my arms and started crying.
I held her, gently patting her back as she let it all out. After a moment’s hesitation, I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to the bed. I sat, Bronwynn in my lap. The half giantess leaned down into my shoulder, sniffling again, and got out, “I talked to Donna.”
Ah. I hugged her tighter. “I’m sorry …”
“You didn’t do anything.” She pulled a kerchief from her storage ring and blew into it loudly. Then she stilled and cast a look full of suspicion. “Did you?”
“I found out. And told her if she didn’t tell you … I would,” I explained. There wasn’t anything I could regret. It needed to be done.
I was reminded of the fact that Bronwynn’s emotions were hidden from my senses and my notification sheet, if not my sight. Her family heritage and upbringing were a testament to that, and I appreciated it even as I worried. If I was going to love this woman, I wanted her to have her own private thoughts and emotions. Even if it left me on the edge of my seat for a day worrying.
Bronwynn blew her nose a second time and nodded. “Donna already told me you knew.”
“I imagine she had a lot to say.” My hand swept her hair out of her face and tucked a curly lock behind her ear. She was so beautiful, splotchy crying face and all.
“Our relationship is full of secrets,” she stated. “My life is full of secrets.”
“True.” I nodded.
