Page 62 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

"Say the word and I'll let him cut back in."

"Please do," I say, looking into his eyes with a furrowed brow. "He was quite charming, had excellent manners, and made great conversation."

Atlas dips me, his lips brush against my ear, sending flutters to my stomach. "You called my bluff, woman. It is surprising that you would prefer to dance with a bounty hunter rather than me."

"Bounty hunter?" I stiffen as he lifts me upright. "How do you know he's a bounty hunter?"

Atlas presses closer to me, his chin rests on my temple. "My lady friend told me." At the mention of the troll, I roll my eyes. "Her name is Onji."

"Why would I care to know her name?" I hiss.

"She happens to be one of Zuri's informants. She passes me information whenever I'm in town."

"Are you needing information frequently?"

He pulls back from me and smirks. "You mean, do I see her often?" He searches my eyes, but I harden my stare, not giving anything away. "No. I haven't been here in months, but she's reliable, and I trust her intel."

"Does she aid you in other matters?" I hate myself for asking and feel the shame creep into my cheeks.

By the surprised twinkle in his eyes, my question caught him off-guard, but he's quick to shake his head. "Just information."

Embarrassed I asked him such a personal question, I change the subject back to Alarik. "Is he here for me?" I glance around, looking for the Frost Elf I danced with, but I can't find him.

"That's what Onji believes. Either way, Nyx is taking care of him."

"You sent Nyx to kill him?" I whisper, eyes darting around the room.

"Of course not," Atlas scoffs. "Nyx is helping him overboard for a late-night swim."

"I heard there are crocodiles in the river," I stare up at him, and he smiles, but there's nothing friendly about it.

"Then I hope, for Alarik's sake, he's a fast swimmer."

"You think Vesper sent them?"

He nods. "I'm sure there are more of them too."

"On board?"

Atlas shakes his head as he scans the room. "On other ships. River cruisers travel from the captiol to The Quarters and back. There are several cruisers, so I suspect she has bounty hunters on alert and posted on each vessel with instructions to locate us and keep us within sight."

"Why not come looking for us herself?"

"If she is smart, she and her team will be waiting for us in The Quarters."

"Why do you think that?" I ask.

His eyes meet mine. "It's what I would do if I were hunting someone. It's simple really. We are trying to get back to Tronovia. The only way back is on a river cruiser to The Quarters and charter a vessel home. Vesper knows that. She'll be waiting, checking every river boat that docks."

"We arrive tomorrow. She'll spot us the second we step off the cruiser." Panic begins to set in, until I see him smile, his green eyes soft. "You already have a plan, don't you?"

"Always,Strenlys."

"You're a decent dance partner," I offer the compliment without thinking about it.

"For aTrinkiti?"

"Atlas, I -"

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