Page 23 of Deceived By a Warrior

“I’d have to go above the speed limit…” The driver didn’t seem to want to drive faster than the highway called for.

“I’ll give you two hundred dollars extra if you do.” The taxi driver didn’t hesitate to press down on the gas, the car speeding up.

Eva and Darius caught eyes. She smiled his way, holding her hands in the air as she shrugged. “Money talks.”

“So it does.” He couldn’t help but wonder, did it talk for her? He never cared much for it. He never needed to. That didn’t stop him from stashing it over the centuries.

“Do you think we’ll make it there before they catch us?” She asked him, nervously looking back.

He honestly admitted, “I’m afraid they already have. Elves fight from afar. They’re famously terrible at up close brawls. Our current distance from them is perfect in their eyes.”

“That sounds like weshouldn’tbe speeding away.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why don’t we attack them?”

Already knowing she had absolutely no powers to use if he decided on attacking them, he asked, “Do you mean why don’tIattack them?”

Not seeming bothered by his comment she replied, “Yeah, that.”

“I’d have to carry you with me to keep you safe from their arrows.” Then he’d have to find somewhere to safely put her. Despite elves having little talent in one-on-one fights, he didn’t trust Eva’s combat skills to be much of an improvement.

“Is that such a horrible task?”

No, carrying her wasn’t. Gods, he’d do anything to feel her skin pressed against his own again. The simple thought made him crazed despite the current threat to his life.

Then, one of their poisonous arrows pierced through the taxi’s back window. Eva shrieked.

“Christ!” The driver screamed, the car veering off to the side of the road. “What are you two,in the mob?”

“Yeah, because the mob shootsarrows!”Eva’s sarcasm fell short. With a panicked expression, she asked Darius, “Arrows? Well those can’t kill us, right?”

“I doubt they want you dead.” The thought of them capturing her and using her caused him to shake with fury. He didn’t want to think of it. “It’ll most likely render you paralyzed until you’re safely in their hands and far away from here.”

Eva didn’t comment on what Darius said, but her eyes widened with what he assumed was fear. She obviously didn’t like the sound of what he just said.

Neither do I.He hated the sound of it much more than he suspected he would.At least if she’s Artem’s prisoner I can check up on her to make sure she’s OK.Unexpected thoughts of how to keep her happy after his inevitable betrayal crossed his mind.

Another arrow broke through the glass. Eva bent forward, shielding the back of her head with her arms.

Decided, Darius told the driver, “Pull over.”

“With pleasure,” the driver said, but Darius realized he was already attempting to do exactly that. “Don’t need that extra money. Just get the fuck out of my car.”

Ignoring the driver’s last comment, Darius pulled money out of his pocket and threw it toward the front of the cab. It was probably much more than two hundred, but Darius didn’t have time to count.

“Now what’s the plan?” Eva asked, unbuckling her seat belt with trembling hands.

“I hope you don’t mind me carrying you.” He was going to have to attack them.

With unblinking eyes, she told him, “Whatever your plan is,Darius Fischer, I can assure you I have no intention of running away from you any time soon.”

“Good,” he said, grabbing her just before sprinting out of the cab and in the direction of the elves.

As he charged forward, he couldn’t understand why it pained him so much to know that she already trusted him.

Chapter Thirteen

Darius Fischer

As Darius charged forward, dodging arrows along the way, he made sure to keep a tight hold on Eva, who he was hauling over his shoulder. She didn’t resist him.

---