Page 3 of A Hunt Bound in Blood

“Very well.” He spun the crystal between his fingers again, then held it out to me. It was elliptical in shape, semi-opaque with a faint glitter. One might have confused it with a water-smoothed rock if they’d found it lying somewhere. “You know what this is?”

“A messaging crystal.” The council had a few in our possession to communicate with dignitaries on assignment, though I’d never used one myself. They were expensive and mostly reserved to speak with people across long distances. Since the only people I communicated with lived within easy walking range, I’d never had much use for one.

King Evaniel handed it to me, and I carefully closed my hand around it. “Keep that safe. I expect you not to abuse the privilege of this gift. I’ll contact you regarding any changes to Princess Brynna and for updates along your journey. You’re not to use it until you find the amulet—or unless you discover the amulet is not to be found.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

The amount of faith he was putting in me to offer this form of direct communication filled me with no small amount of pride, and I slid the crystal into my satchel.

“You know what’s at stake if Princess Brynna dies,” he said.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then you know how essential it is to this country—and to me personally—that you find the amulet on schedule. We have set aside coin for you to buy whatever essentials you believe necessary, but I expect you to be on the road no later than tomorrow.”

I froze. Tomorrow? I’d known it would be soon, but I had expected at least a day to prepare for a month-long trek. “Understood, Your Majesty.”

He nodded and gestured to Segrew, who once more grabbed something from the desk. “I’ve also arranged for you to enlist someone to assist you on this mission.”

Horror nearly dropped me dead. An assistant? “Your Majesty, I’m more than capable of—”

The firmness of his expression didn’t waver. “The critical nature of our situation doesn’t allow me to risk sending a solo researcher on this venture. Especially not one with questionable access to her magic. Cammon is an experienced traveller and will be an asset.”

The whole point of this mission was to give me a chance to stop hiding. It was hard enough to bury my true self in a room full of near strangers and in the general anonymity of the city. Keeping my secret while travelling in close proximity to someone would be next to impossible, and—Wait. Cammon?

I only knew of one Cammon, and if that was who the king had in mind, this turn of events was worse than inconvenient.

“Cammon… Ruxo?” I asked, pleading with the gods that I was wrong. “The treasure hunter?”

“Indeed,” King Evaniel said, crushing my pleas under his bland tone.

Not just a treasure hunter. A demon. A demon who fed on emotions and who’d made digging up secrets his entire career.

“I—” I wanted to argue more, but what could I say? This was my king, and he’d given a clear order. “Are we sure he’s available?”

The escape was weak, but it was all I had.

“He will be,” Segrew said. “We sent a message to him this morning telling him to expect you today. These are for you to bring to him.”

I accepted the two letters he held out to me, and my head swam with a wave of panic. “Very well,” I said, impressed that I didn’t sound as close to fainting as I felt. “I won’t disappoint you, Your Majesty.”

“See that you don’t.”

Cammon

II

“This is a good opportunity, Cam,” Syrus said as he followed me up the stairs to my office.

“Not interested.”

My best friend huffed. “Since when are you not interested in tracking down magical artifacts believed to be lost?”

I reached the stretch of corridor lined with examples of exactly what he was talking about but dismissed him. “First, this artifact you’re talking about wasn’t lost, it was stolen. Which means it’s most likely in the possession of some greedy, unpleasant lord. You’re the local acquirer, not me. The rich are boring to rob. I prefer my lost artifacts to be centuries old and located in caves, or underwater, or maybe up in the mountains.” Usually. “Second, I just got back a few days ago. I’d prefer not to rush out the door.”

“I call bullshit on that one,” Sy said. “You hate being home, and I bet you a hundred gold coins you have your kit packed and ready to go in your office.”

I refused to accept that bet. “Normally, I would say you were correct about my not wanting to stick around, but after nearly being buried in an avalanche, there’s something to be said about a few weeks in a warmer climate with a comfortable bed and three hot meals a day.” Not to mention the extra meals I enjoyed walking through town, sipping on the emotions of every human passing by while I did my best not to interact with them. “I’ll take the time to do some research on this sword I’ve heard rumours about. Want to join me? Could be a nice break from all your money counting.”