Page 20 of The Sorcerer's Thief
Hmm. Asked directly like that, I second-guess myself. But no. Who cares what Julian thinks? Better to have him hate me enough to give up this pointless chase of his. “So he’ll leave me alone.”
“If you say so.”
We sort out tack, feed bags, and treats for Slinger, and then I lead her out by a soft leather halter. She follows willingly enough, nosing my left pocket, where I’ve stashed a handful of sugar lumps.
“What, already?”
She snuffles.
“We’ve barely begun our journey, and you think you deserve a treat?” I tease while handing over a few snacks.
She crunches merrily.
When it comes time to mount her and make our way south, she lets me on her back with nary a disgruntled snort. I like her already.
Before long, sunlight peaks lazily over the horizon, and morning birdsong fills my ears. We’re making great time, I have a significant head start, and with any luck, I’ve seen the last of that pesky sorcerer.
The coin, as if in protest, chills in my hidden pocket, and a full-body shiver runs through me.
I place my hand over it to warm it back up. “Hey now, settle down. We don’t need him.”
A shock zings through my fingers. I yank them away, startled.
“What? We don’t.”
After a moment, the buzzing fades, leaving me breathless. What was that about? One minute the coin is protecting me from Julian’s powers, and the next it seems miffed I’ve left the pest behind?
I don’t understand it.
Slinger tosses her head, bringing my focus back to the road and the creek crossing we’re approaching. We’ll stop for a quick drink, but then we push on.
Whether the coin likes it or not, the more distance between Julian and me, the better.
Chapter 7
Julian
Wasting an entire day popping in and out of one jewelry store after another is exactly the break I need from yesterday’s endless walking. The weather is cooler, the sky is clear, and the quaint town of Ember Crest is aflutter with activity.
Too bad Cricket took off so early. Would be nice to have a shopping companion, even if he’s a cranky thief and too stubborn to hand over the coin I need,evenin exchange for the most excellent magical tutelage money can buy.
Pity.
We could have oohed and aahed over the various baubles and shining gems together. Maybe he’d have nicked one. Maybe not. Depends on whether hismoralsqualify the shop owners as wealthy or common.
The thought brings a chuckle to my lips. He’s a funny thing, Cricket. I can’t wait to see his face when I gate to wherever hecamps tonight. All the fuss of getting up early, stealing a horse, and rushing out of town for nothing.
He didn’t believe me when I told him I could sense the coin’s whereabouts. It’s why I was in Lemossin. Why I planned to infiltrate the palace, but then Cricket went and did it for me.
The coin beckons like a potential lover, with a lingering pull, a whispered word against the shell of my ear, a long glance from a pair of come-hither eyes. I won’t be denied.
“Care to try one on for size?” The shopkeep stirs me from my thoughts. He’s fae, with lemon-lime coloring on his wings and hair and bright yellow eyes to match. He motions to the case of rings I’ve been gawking at.
I place both mangled hands squarely onto the glass counter. “Afraid not. Wouldn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to these.” I wiggle what remains of my fingers, and he squirms in discomfort.
Honestly, I don’t know why I enjoy such things. Bad habit, I suppose.
“Oh, erm, well.” He gestures farther into the brightly lit display room. Faerie lights twinkle like stars. The whole shop is seeped in vanilla perfume, cloying and dense. “We have a fine selection of necklaces and pendants as well, sir. Over here. Come and see.”
