Page 17 of A Curse So Vile

“How do you suppose we’re going to get to the next town?” Dorthea demanded as she checked on Fiona.

Brenna unhitched the horse from the cart and brought the steed over to the Gryndari woman.

“After we bandage your arm, you’ll have to ride with Fiona,” Brenna said. “You should be able to skirt the tree without issue.”

“Ride with Fiona? The ride will kill her!”

“As will beasts if we don’t get out of here soon. Ride fast. Don’t stop for anyone. Here’s a coin. Stop in the first inn you see and get two rooms. We’ll be around sometime later tonight.”

Cole tended to Dorthea’s wound, then took great care in removing Fiona from her confines and securing the child to the horse.

“Fiona, I know this is going to be hard, but you have to be strong.”

Brenna’s heart thudded in her chest as she glimpsed the small child, who was skin and bones and little else.

“Dorthea’s going to get you to the next town. We’ll be around shortly.”

He sent them on their way, then looked to Brenna.

“There’s no way she’s going to make it another two days. There’s just no way.”

“I know,” Brenna said.

“Then why? Why have us come all this way?” Cole said in obvious pain.

She wanted to tell him she was just as scared as he was, that she had been depending on him just as he had depended on her, but instead, she said, “Do you remember what you promised me?”

He shook his head.

“You said if I could help her, you’d do my bidding.”

“I do so recall, and I would gladly comply. But you’ve done nothing but get us stuck on this dangerous road at night after a day of rough travels.”

“I had a lot to think about,” she said, finally making up her mind. “There’s a code my people follow, and what I could do for your sister would break it.”

“Some codes are meant to be broken,” Cole replied, his eyes lighting with hope.

She snickered. “Of course you’d say that.”

6

BRENNA

Brenna took a deep breath, catching the scent of beasts she’d rather not face. Fortunately, most knew her scent and chose to flee.

Cole had the look of a tortured man. “If they don’t make it…if they’re overrun—”

“They’ll make it. We made quick work of the gnashers. A few have fled, but they’re not coming back.”

“How could you know?”

“Because I know. Now let’s get moving.”

I can’t let Fiona die, but if I save her, I could face death.

Not that it mattered. The curse would see to that anyway, in just a few short weeks.

A chill lingered in the air that would see most women huddled under a heavy cloak. Brenna, however, reveled in the crispness, as it made her feel alive.