Page 36 of A Tempest of Intrigue (Tempest of Shadows #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Ryker

Over the next week, Tucker, Ianto, and I went with Farley as he led us to other encampments in the woods. There, we met more amsirah who’d fled Ivan’s tyrannical policies; some were wanted criminals, while most had moved into the woods after losing everything they had.

It didn’t matter to us what they’d done in their past; if they agreed to help us against Ivan and the nobles, we would take them. We had yet to encounter anyone who wasn’t more than willing to help.

Still, after they arrived, the new arrivals were watched closely. Even the poltergeists watched to ensure they could be trusted around the women and children and wouldn’t run back to Ivan with their newly gained knowledge.

The poltergeists were a lot less conspicuous than any amsirah who might be detected by the newcomers. As much as I didn’t like the specters, they proved useful.

I was also glad to have a system that could stop anyone from betraying us. Our time of keeping Ellery’s identity a secret would end, but I intended to keep her protected.

Farley had also assured us that he and his friends had watched over the encampments before taking us to them. He believed in those he was leading us to.

The idea of trusting a poltergeist took some time to get used to, but so far, they seemed determined to help us bring down the nobles. And though he was floating against my last nerve, he did like Ellery and looked out for her.

With the way things were, I’d take all the help I could get in keeping her safe, even if it was from an infuriating blob with small hands and a dick that didn’t exist on his body anymore but had become his entire personality.

He was taking us to another encampment this morning. Since we didn’t know what it looked like, we couldn’t open a portal and made our way on foot.

The early morning sun was starting to burn off the thin layer of fog covering the ground. Despite the sun being up, the day remained gloomy beneath the trees; last night’s rain clung to the leaves and occasionally dripped from them.

Coated in rain, the wet underbrush had dampened my pants until they stuck to me when I walked. The ozone scent of the rain lingered in the air as the birds’ song filled the air.

The Revenant Woods was peaceful this morning, something it never was. I tried to enjoy the moment, but I didn’t trust it.

“Cryton has been watching this next group for over a month. He harassed them at first but quickly grew bored with that. Once we started discussing our plan to help against the aristocrats, he started keeping a more serious eye on them. He says they’re trustworthy,” Farley informed us as he led the way through the woods.

Cryton was another poltergeist who’d been helping in this mission. He was as likable as Farley, but he’d also proven useful.

“There are a few encampments we’ve decided against taking you to,” Farley continued. “They’re too far away.”

“We should still see them,” Tucker said. “The more amsirah we have, the stronger we’ll all be.”

“Suit yourself. Unlike you, I’m already dead, so nothing in these woods could kill me.”

Oh, how I’d wished that wasn’t true many times over the week. This blob of a dead amsirah was one of the most infuriating creatures I’d ever encountered. I’d uselessly contemplated all the ways I’d have killed him if he were still alive.

Farley floated over to bob in front of me as I climbed over a downed log. When the soft, damp moss stuck to my palms, I wiped them on my pants.

“How about you, Pretty Boy?” Farley inquired. “Do you think we should go to those encampments too?”

Ellery had told me the best way to deal with a poltergeist was to ignore them as they often got bored and moved on. I tried my best to do this, but my eye twitched at Farley’s question.

Beside me, Ianto smirked, and I felt Tucker watching me. I ground my teeth together as I restrained myself from trying to strangle Farley until his eyes popped out, but I couldn’t choke air, and that’s all he would be if I grabbed for him.

Instead of making an ass of myself by beating up the air, I ignored the floating ball of shit as I ducked a low-hanging branch. As the sun rose higher, more shadows dispersed beneath the golden rays piercing through the leaves.

Eventually, Farley floated away, but not before he gave me a smirk that said he knew he’d gotten to me. I scowled at his back.

“It’s up here,” Farley whispered.