Page 100 of Red Demon
“It’s okay, Jesse Eirini,” she said. “I agreed to help her.”
I looked to Asher before I found the strength to accept that. Telesilla bent down, her hands illuminating the shadows of Faruhar’s scars and loose hair. The glow passed into Faruhar’s skin. Faruhar groaned, but did not rise. The light flickered out. Telesilla furrowed her brows and tried again. But Faruhar’s breaths were deeper, her calloused hand in mine warmer.
“She’s resistant,” Telesilla said. “I cannot push through beyond minor healing.”
“Thank you.” I relished the strength in her pulse, the warmth of her skin under my hand.
Telesilla rose to Asher, taking his face in her hands. His tan skin glowed under her touch. When she removed her hands, I saw the face of a man I didn’t know, still with highlighted hair cropped short, gold rings in brown eyes. But it wasn’t Asher.
“That will help you get through security in Uyr Elderven unless you go near a magic blocker.”
“The police only have a couple blockers in the city, though. They wouldn’t want to risk killing off their own healers.” Soren’s eyes narrowed at my hand on Faruhar’s arm. He looked up, adding, “You should be fine.”
“To remove the glamor, wash your face in a river that touches Oria, or it will fade on its own in a month, six weeks at most.” Telesilla moved to touch my face.
A strange tingling sensation washed over me when her hand met my cheek. When I blinked my eyes open, I touched my face, a jaw that felt smoother than I’d left it, the bones more rounded. This was no deception. She’d changed my face.
“Whoa, that’s weird,” I said. “Thank you, Telesilla.”
“If you are in a hurry to leave, we’ll lead you out away from the soldiers,” Telesilla said, her voice gentle. “Asher Eirini, my network will speak with you again when you arrive in the city. Please check into The Mora Inn when you arrive.”
Soren helped Asher with our bags, and I heaved Faruhar into my arms, still leery of letting anyone else touch her. We followed Telesilla out of the chamber and into another hallway inclining up. Asher chatted away, even smiled, winning them over slowly the way Ash always does. I walked in silence, feeling not only the weight of a woman whose toned muscles and high bone density made her much heavier than she looked, but the weight of our new alliance. We weren’t just outlaws anymore, we were rebels too.
I studied Faruhar’s every breath, her scars, evidence of her continued survival, and yet—so vulnerable in my arms. She stirred against me, and I was aware of every place our bodies touched. I tried to rein in my thoughts, clutching her tighter to my chest. What would Galen say if he saw how I was looking at his killer right now?
“Stop looking at her weird,” she whispered in Bria’s voice.
Chapter 41
Farmhouse
Twilight lined the sky when we stepped out by a rocky outcrop, sloping down the path into a pine forest. Telesilla tried again to heal Faruhar and apply the same glamor she did to us, her face straining, only for Faruhar to stay as she was, unconscious. I’d lowered Faruhar gently onto a bed of dried leaves, keeping vigil beside her, holding her hand. Telesilla set up a khel to hide us, saluting before disappearing back toward the caverns with Soren. Remembering the last time she woke, Asher hid her swords, then went foraging nearby. Still, she didn’t wake.
Faruhar murmured under her breath, little noises that did nothing to slow my pounding heart. I kept saying her name. Finally, she responded, a slow smile spreading across her face.
Her eyes fluttered. “Is that you?”
A jolt of relief shot through me at the sound of her voice. “Faruhar,” I said. “You’re safe.” I gripped her hand. “I’m Jesse. That’s—”
She blinked, her smile faltering as she took in our surroundings, stumbling back with wild eyes. Panic flickered in my gut when I realized the worn leather journal was still with the rebels. I also realized those glamors would render us strangers, even if she’d recognized me before. She dove for the dagger on my belt. I sprang back.
“You smell like him. You’re not him. Where … is the one I … trust.” She dove for my dagger again.
“Faruhar, listen to my voice. Please, it’s me, Jesse.” I evaded her grab once more. “It’s Chout Attiq-ka, a disguise.”
Faruhar squinted, considering. “Speak again, whoever you are.” A low growl rumbled in her throat as she gestured at Asher, staying far back with his weapon drawn. “And who’s he?”
“That’s Asher, my brother. You can trust him too. Same Chout glamor thing going on, but his voice will sound the same.”
I nodded at Ash to speak from where he stood across the clearing. “Faruhar, it’s Asher, your friend,” he said, earning a bewildered look from both of us.
I smiled.
“Friend?” she echoed, her voice laced with confusion. “I don’t…” Her gaze drifted past Asher, searching for something—or someone. She scowled back at me. “I don’t like this magic. You were never this … ugly.”
My cheeks flushed, a fire that warmed my chest. “Did you just call me—not ugly?”
“Voids. Anyway.” Asher released a long-suffering breath, sheathing the Asri blade Telesilla gave him to replace his empire sword. He studied Faruhar, leaning back with arms crossed. Birds chirped.
