Page 98 of Vengeance Becomes Her

As she trudged forward, she scanned each face, but none of them were Tristain. Her instincts told her he might be at a tavern, but for what, she didn’t know. Maybe it was completely innocent, and he was meeting with an old acquaintance. Or perhaps, it was something far more sinister.

She’d grown to trust Tristain, but she’d trusted Silas too. Her heart was galloping in her chest with every step, she didn’t want to think the worst, but she couldn’t help the sinking pitin her stomach.

Another minute of walking and she finally spotted the back of Tristain. His posture was stiff, his hand lingering on the hilt of his sword. She shifted so she could see around him. There was nothing that could have prepared her for what she saw.

As she peeked around his broad shoulders, Silas came into view. They were sitting there, two beers sitting in front of them. Talking.

The unease that had been churning in her gut suddenly became sour, but she resisted the urge to heave. She simply stood there. Mouth gaping,heart breaking.

And then it seemed like time slowed to a near-stop. Silas shifted his attention to her. His eyes narrowing in on her, turning from uninterested into a predatory gaze. A catlike grin crept across his face as he tilted his head giving her a once over.

She was frozen, but then he crooked his finger and everything was set back into motion before she could even register what she was doing. The irritation of him beckoning her so casually filled her with a rage that propelled her forward.

As she closed the distance between them, she whipped one of the daggers from her side, the weight of it in her hand giving her courage.

Silas must have announced her arrival because Tristain turned in his seat with urgency, his brow furrowing and his lips popping open. His face showed shock but there was nothing but guilt in his eyes as they flicked down to where her knife was fisted tightly in her grip.

He jumped up, untucking his legs from under the table, and stepped infront of Silas.

“Rhiannon, wait. This isn’t whatit looks like.”

“Move the hell out of my way Tristain.”

“No.”

She shoved past him, but Silas already was gone.

She felt her heart squeeze with the conflicting emotions of relief and betrayal. She wouldn’t allow herself to accept the cowardice of the first, so she focused on the latter.

“You fucking bastard. How could you?” The words tore from her throat. She hated the way her pain distorted the syllables.

She used all of her weight and momentum to knock him to the ground. Her knife was under his chin in an instant. She wanted him to hurt as much as she did.

“I trusted you, I thought you were on my side. And there you were having a drink like old friends, like brothers. How long were you planning this? How long were you lying to me?”

“Rhiannon, it wasn’t like that. I wasn’tplanning this.”

“I don’t believe you.” Her blade pressed closer to the lump in his throat. “Did you plan this all along? Were you delivering me to him for the slaughter?” She had to force the words out through gritted teeth, hating the fact that she even needed to ask.

“No.” His voice cracked. Her pain was reciprocated in his eyes.

She stood and turned away, not wanting that look to soften her. “Just tell me the truth.”

“I caught sight of him leaving the tavern when I was having breakfast, so I followed, not wanting the chance to catch him to slip away.” He pulled at the roots of his hair so hard he winced. “I was trying to reason with him. I was trying to save you.” He gripped her elbow hard enough to bruise, turning her around. “All I wanted to do was help.”

“I don’t see how having a drink was helping.”

“I didn’t have a choice.” Frustration laced every word.

“You didn’t have a choice but to sit down and have a drink with the man who tried to kill me? The man whokilled Leylah?”

Tristain winced at the name, but she didn’t feel guilty. It seemed he needed to be reminded of just who Silas was.

“Rhiannon, will you listen, please.” He looked like he was going to be sick. “We knew he would be waiting for us here. I just got to him first. Is that why you’re so angry?”

“Fuck you.” The words whipped out of her mouth with no regard, but she didn’t stop. “I’m angry because you went behind my back. I’m angry because I can’t trust you anymore. I’m angry because you’re turning out to be exactlywhat I feared.”

“And what’s that?”His jaw ticked.

---