Page 98

“I don’t remember yet, but I wouldn’t trick her into leaving you for me.”

“I remember perfectly well what happened but neither of you would believe me, so I won’t waste my breath.” His lip curled back, and he started for the door. “Your next offensive move,Thane,isto find obsidian.” Then he vanished before he even reached the door.

* * *

The next morningLayala sat up in her bed, bleary-eyed and groggy. She blinked several times and the outline of Tif sitting on the pillow next to her slowly came into focus. “Tif, what are you doing? You know I hate when you stare like that when I’m asleep.”

“This came for you. A bird named Sallow dropped it off while you were sleeping. I hope you don’t mind that I read it even though it’s clearly addressed to you.”

Layala took the envelope and pulled out the paper inside.Layala, I’ve been waiting a while for those items you promised to find. I’ll have to go out tonight if you can’t. I’m out of stock.

~ Aunt E.

“I completely forgot about her. How could I forget?”

Tif tapped her chin. “Well, there has been a lot going on. Why, with the first assassin, demon hounds, the creep with the horns who wants to kill you, and Hel and Varlett here, not to mention the strained relationship between you and Thane. No one blames you for forgetting.” She patted Layala’s arm with a big smile.

“I need to find the rest of the list Aunt Evalyn gave me.”

“Can I come?”

“It’s too dangerous.”

Tif folded her arms and stuck out her lower lip. “Too dangerous? I’m not the one Horns wants dead! You are. I could be your backup.” She took her tiny dagger out of her dress and pulled it from the sheath. “I can give Horns the old stab, jab, duck, move. You know he’s pretty big. I bet he has a large member I could easily slice, too.” She waved the dagger back and forth with sound effects.

That statement brought mental images Layala did not want to entertain. “Gross, and no. You’re good at hiding Tif, not fighting. And that’s exactly what I want you to do.”

“I can sneak attack from behind.” She jumped up and parried the air. “Heeyaw!”

“Just stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

Tif let the dagger droop to her side. “If you’re not back by nightfall, I’m telling Thane.”

“I’ll bring Piper.”

“I’m pretty sure Hel and Thane said she’s not a sufficient guardian. Not that she’s not a good fighter but Horns seems powerful.”

“She’ll have to do.”

* * *

Full gray stormclouds rolled in, darkening the morning sunshine. Rain looked to be threatening again but the rampant spring storms were not about to stop her mission to find the rest of Aunt Evalyn’s list. She already felt horrible for forgetting, and she was out of time. Evalyn would go out by herself and that was too dangerous for her, especially with demons on the loose. Layala only hoped she wouldn’t run into any herself.

Piper rode faithfully beside her but wasn’t quiet about it. “Thane is going to kill me.”

“Piper, it’s fine. We’ll make this quick.”

“I might as well write the letter to my family for funeral arrangements because he’s going to kill me.”

Layala turned Midnight along an offbeat path and Piper trotted next to her on a roan stallion. “The pottifer likes to grow in the shade among thick underbrush, usually near ash trees, and the wood I know of is just northwest of the city.”

“You mean where pale one’s last attacked?” Piper rolled her eyes. “Yep, this solidifies my grave. It shall read: Here Lies Piper Fireheart, the fool who disobeyed her king.”

“But Hel said he’d called them off so we should be in the clear in that regard.”

They rode awhile before she pulled Midnight to a stop amongst the ashy white-trunked trees with round green leaves. “It should be around here.”

Thunder cracked overhead eliciting a neigh from her horse, and with the lack of bright sunshine it felt more like evening than morning. Piper glanced around and hopped off. “Let’s hurry before it starts downpouring.”