Page 56 of Blackheart

“Stay alive.” There was a crumb under his lip, and as his thumb slid across his mouth to wipe it away, my core heated in the most despicable way.

I grimaced. “I’ll get the firewood.”

“Make sure it’s dry.”

Being dry would be nice.

I ignored him, venturing out to find the stupid wood—dry wood,as he had so helpfully pointed out. Riven must have believed me to be an idiot. Of course, the firewood needed to be dry. With the snow sticking to the ground, it would be difficult to find ideal pieces, but certainly not impossible.

Or so I thought.

Every piece was drenched, and after more than ten minutes of failure, I sought better options. There was a town in the distance, lit up just through the treeline.

I tapped my orb, awakening it. It glowed softly, like its attention was elsewhere. I tapped it a second time and it reluctantly brightened. Riven would have a fit if he knew I was going into town, but snow-covered bark wasn’t going to get us anywhere but dead.

As the sky darkened, I hurried through the woods, following my orb and the distant lantern lights. It was nice to be on my feet, though even better to be headed towards civilization.

Finally, through the woodline, I tapped my orb off. Cackling came from the back of an establishment, probably a brothel or tavern. I scanned the area for firewood.

“You have pretty eyes, Blackheart.”

A trio of blue-cloaked strangers stalked towards me: one woman and two men. Three sets of crimson eyes.

Sapphires.

Chapter 20

A Name for A Name

“Sapphire’s eyes do not burn crimson by nature. It is nothing but a stain of taken blood. The color wanes, but their thirst is unending.”

—Henvri Joye, High Healer

Oh,for fuck’s sake.

I couldn’t call for help. Any nearby Drakers would just as soon kill me themselves. Instead, I pulled the stone club out of the holster, holding it tight with both hands.

The Sapphire on the right scoffed. “Are you going to whack me with a bejeweled hammer?” His hair matched the shining moon.

“If you come close enough, I might,” I said, white knuckled and knees bent.

The two men charged forward. I hesitated a second too long before snarling and swinging the club, my Nature rippling through me.

Drawing on my Nature, the club released a wave of power towards the white-haired Sapphire. He roared in pain as thepoison grazed his arm, tearing through his cloak and eating through his skin.

Mother of Moons.I hadn’t meant to use my Nature.

The Sapphire growled in pain. “I shouldbeat youwith that twig of a wand.”

He didn’t know its proper name, but I finally did. Singer. Because she played by her own tune.

The other man, dark-haired and hefty, seethed as he set his sights on me.

My traitorous stomach whined—a warning. I was going to vomit.

For the love of Fate.

Beck wasn’t here to save me this time, and Riven had no idea where I was. If the club took matters into its own hands again, I would be hurling long before they feasted on my blood.