Page 51 of Keeper of the Word (The Unsung and the Wolf Duology #2)

Chapter

Forty-Six

ELANNA

T hey only had two hours before sunrise. The group had split up into three groups in search of a villain. Despite the dark, seedy tone of the boroughs, they’d had no luck. The quality of Asalle’s citizens either upheld or people were frightened off by a group of knights, two StarSeers, and a witch.

One man at the tavern that Hux had entered burst into laughter, saying why would anyone admit to being a murderer?

Elanna had doubts about Gethwin not disappearing into the shadows of an alleyway, but she lingered with the group. She cackled each time they were unsuccessful in finding a villain, yet Gethwin's gaze found Elanna’s pocket again and again.

“Time is running out,” Tara said, as they congregated in front of the dead witch’s door.

The group stood silently, no one certain of what to do. Hux began pacing. Elanna joined him at the alley’s entrance.

“You must wonder how we can See some futures so clearly yet be taken on a path during the same night that would prove otherwise. Fear not; this night is not yet over.”

Hux ceased pacing and stood before Elanna. His dark eyes swept her away again. He lifted his hand. It held in the air near her cheek. Then dropped. They eyed the others who discussed what to attempt next.

“How essential is it? This spell you must perform?”

“’Tis all the difference. Without it, I have Seen there is no future at all.”

Hux’s eyes lowered to the ground.

“’Tis ironic that to save the world’s goodness, we need someone who is the very opposition of such.”

Hux nodded, focus still on the ground. “‘Opposition of goodness.’ Aye, that term does fit.”

“What do you mean? Do not look so vexed. Villains make their choices, same as anyone. Committing three acts as the ones Gethwin described,” she paused. “’Tis no surprise their futures are dark.”

“Always dark?”

Elanna shifted; a sense of discomfort formed in her chest. What was Hux’s concern? “I’ve Seen very few that are not, but that does not mean?—”

Hux held up a hand. “Say no more, Lady.”

“What ails you?”

“Nothing. I only wish you were not about to loathe me.”

Elanna’s brows pursed together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Right, then,” Hux said aloud, drawing everyone’s attention. “What does a witch’s orb look like, and I shall fetch it.”

“Hux?” Elanna whispered.

He made only the briefest eye contact. His eyes were glossed over. “I told you I was unworthy.” He strode to the door and stood beside Gethwin. “How do I go in?”

“You simply open the door”—her cough-laugh hawked out—“and reveal your true self, of course.” Her cackle bounced off the alley’s walls.

Hux gave Elanna a pained expression at Gethwin’s words, exhaled, and put his hand on the knob.

Elanna held her breath.

Hux was not a villain. Aye, there were matters about Hux she did not know. His expertise at slinking and sleuthing left questions in her mind, but he was not a villain. He would not open the door.

Hux turned the knob and, ducking his head, stepped inside.

Elanna’s breathing halted.

“I knew it. I knew it,” Joss said as soon as he disappeared into the witch’s flat. “I knew Lord Tolvar hid qualities about that man.”

Elanna tried to ignore Joss’s spitting remarks, but she, too, was thrown. Liar? Thief? Kidnapper? Murderer? Which three acts had Hux committed? Why had Tolvar kept him in his company? And why had Hux withheld his past from her?

So that is what he meant when he’d said he had only a few beautiful moments in life.

’Twas because he’d paved his life with ugly ones instead.

Her fingertips grazed her lips. How could she have e’er thought she had feelings for him?

StarSeers were to have feelings for no one, and she, and her lack of judgment, had found Hux.

Her mind raced over the flashes of fortune she’d Seen about Hux on the night they had kissed. Happy. There had been a happy one. But heinous and hostile, too. She had glossed over those, hadn’t she?

But the stars gave me the words I spoke to him that night: ‘Your fortune may yet be filled with goodness.’

May yet. StarSeers were so careful in remembering those small details. But the Deogolian had distracted her.

Elanna put her fingers to her temples. “Cease, Joss. We have more important matters?—”

“What?” Joss asked. “How can you say that after what we’ve just learned?”

Elanna met her eyes. “We have more important matters to worry about at present.”

Joss’s chin lowered. “Aye, m’lady.”

Across the alley, Gethwin gave a sly half-smile. She knew. She had known the entire time, hadn’t she?

Focus, Elanna.

Footsteps sounded from within, and a moment later, Hux stepped through the doorway carrying the orb in both hands.

’ Twas a perfect circle, glass in appearance, though Elanna knew otherwise.

’Twas cynth cristal, a mineral almost as rare as the fabled starstone.

The difference was that starstone was the strongest mineral on the continent, and cynth cristal was exceedingly fragile.

Gethwin’s eyes twinkled as Hux placed the orb in her outstretched hands.

As soon as it touched her fingers, the orb transformed from translucent to opaque.

The murky white shined opalescent before recasting transparent.

Gethwin met eyes with Elanna and Tara and nodded. “To the roof, then.”