Page 64 of The Sorcerer's Thief
I’m getting ahead of myself. It will serve me better to focus than to fret. With that in mind, I cast the shield Julian taught me to the best of my ability and concentrate on my surroundings.
We’re traveling straight through the heart of the city toward the sea. Toward the docks. Toward whatever fate has in store.
There are just enough faerie lights to see by and only a sliver of moon hanging low in the southern sky. In the distance, waves crash on the shoreline.
I take stock of myself. Coin in my pocket. Dagger in my boot. Bag slung across my shoulders with provisions. Wide awake. Muscles too tense.
A deep breath helps to release some of the nerves and unclench the knots in my shoulders. Like Julian said. Focus.
I call a tiny fire just to be sure it still works. The orange flame flickers on my finger, then around my hand. “Thank you, pretty one. Sleep for now, but be ready if I call you, yes?”
It flips and spins, then snuffs itself out.
I’m as ready as I can be for whatever the coin is leading me to.
Hold on, Julian.
I’m coming.
Chapter 22
Julian
My head pounds, my temples throb, and my jaw is clenched so tight my muscles seize. Not the best feeling to wake up to. Hesitant to open my eyes, I do it anyway, only to find myself in a dimly lit stone room, tied to a chair, ankles in chains.
“Ah, there you are.” Rune’s voice, raspy and singsong, from behind me and far too close for comfort.
I struggle, but my wrists are bound at my lower back.
“Can’t have you sleeping the night away, pretty princess. Not when we have so much to talk about.”
I cough, clearing my throat. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“Nonsense.” He rounds on me, holding my dagger to my throat.
Not to cut. To tease.
He drags the flat of the blade along the sensitive skin in a mockery of a caress. His eyes are bright yellow like a panther’s. “Tauren tells me you’re the Gatekeeper’s git. Spawned from the loins of the ice king himself. Is it true?”
Tired old question. Tauren always nagged me over those rumors, even before he revealed his true self. I’m sick of it. If no one ever mentioned the Gatekeeper ever again, it would be too soon.
“Answer me,” Rune snaps. “Or I’ll cut out your tongue and pry the information from your mind. Do you think I can’t?”
As I’m processing the threat, he demonstrates. A burning line of heat cuts deep into my brain, setting fire to my thoughts, then retreats as fast as it came.
I’m panting, reeling from the onslaught.
Mind magic?
What can’t this mage do?
The Vesper bloodline is known for its talent with fire magic but little else. They keep to themselves. Haven’t caused any trouble in ages. Where has this one come from, and why would he be helping Tauren?
“Hurts, doesn’t it?” He looks joyfully pleased with himself. It’s revolting. “Where were we? Ah, yes. Who is your papa bear, hmm? The Gatekeeper?”
I have little choice but to play along. “Lies. I have no family.”
He tuts. “Well, we know that’s not true because here you are. Or did no one ever explain this part to you? When a man and a woman?—”
