Page 27

“I think we’re being followed,” Kah whispered.

A chill slid down my spine. Acting casual, I pretended to peruse the array of star maps for sale at a Magi’s booth while covertly surveying the sparse crowd milling around the night market.

Across the road, a hooded figure ducked into the shadows.

Watching out of the corner of my eye, I waited, but the figure didn’t reappear, and there was no indication the person had even seen me. Just to be safe, though, I turned down a side alleyand made several more turns into a maze of colorful tents before circling back around to the avenue.

In the avenue, several End Guards were searching through one of the wagons. I hung back in the shadows. Even though it was cold enough outside to see my own breath, they didn’t have heavy cloaks or fur on. They must have been Jakeens, their armor-like golden skin protecting them from the night’s chill.

“There was a report … Rathalan … have you seen …?”

Were they looking for me?Had the Wolf guards sent them to follow me? Or had someone noticed my Rathalan armor? I knew I didn’t look like a Kovak, but I was hoping to pass for a burly Arden or Terran with my hood up and my cloak concealing my outfit.

When the guards waved on the wagon and began questioning some of the other tradesmen, my gaze landed on the hooded figure standing behind them. He was gesturing to the guards. And pointing straight at me. My cover was blown.

My muscles tensed as the End Guards pivoted in unison like a flock of birds and flew toward me.Blazen skies!I cursed through gritted teeth as I took off running down the side alley.

The Jakeens were on my heels in seconds. I doubled back into the market center, pushing past people, dodging wagons, and jumping over tables of merchandise set up in the avenue. Something crashed behind me, and all eyes in the marketplace snapped toward the commotion.

“Subtle,” Kah muttered.

The End Guards were fast, but I was faster. I tore down another side street, planning to lose them in the jungle of tents ahead. When I was out of sight, I took a sharp turn and ducked inside one of the tents.

I waited inside, counting my breaths until I couldn’t hear the guards anymore.

Movement behind me in the dark lit up my senses. I started to turn, right when I felt someone shoving me.

“Get out!” a raspy voice demanded. “You, you vagrant!”

In the faint light, I caught sight of a wrinkly old woman with a scowl on her face. She was trying to push me out of what I presumed was her tent without much success. My weight hadn’t even shifted, despite her forceful shoving. I grinned. She must not have had much experience with Kovaks before.

I raised my hands in mock surrender and stepped back outside.

I slowed my pace and started weaving my way back to one of the main avenues. I didn’t have the supplies I needed, but this was a sign that I’d worn out my welcome in the Market of End. Time to go find my horse.

“Over there!”

“There he is!”

These guys were getting on my nerves. Grumbling more curses, I took off again. Boots thundered behind me.

“A little help?” I said to Kah. I needed to find an area of the market so dark and deserted that the guards wouldn’t find me.

“You seem to be doing quite well on your own.”

“Kah!”

“Fine, fine.”

Using his keen sense of smell, Kah guided me to a vacant street lined with several run-down shops that were either closed for the night or abandoned. After a few turns, I couldn’t see the Jakeens anymore.

“To the left,” Kah said. “Go down that way.”

After checking over my shoulder, I darted into a narrow alley between two shops and ran smack into someone. We both tumbled to the ground with a thud, and my hood fell back.

“Ow! What the blazenhell are you doing?” said a female voice.

“What areyoudoing?” I muttered, rubbing the place of impact on my shoulder. When I sat up, I found myself nose-to-nose with a huge, tan bear and its impressively sharp, white teeth. Which meant this wasn’t just any girl, she was a Kovak.