Page 93 of Lana Pecherczyk

“It’s fine,” he muttered.

“What about the driver?”

“There’s no driver or rider.”

“What?”

He faced her, and she nearly laughed at his windblown hair standing on end.

“There’s no horse, either.” He caught her looking and quickly fixed himself. “There aren’t enough to pull every carriage to the Great Murder. Some vans run on mana. After we travel a certain distance, we’ll portal the rest of the way. Evasion tactics.”

“But I heard a whinny outside.”

“A few years back, Trix and Peaches—another Well-blessed woman—discovered how to capture sounds in mana stones. What you’re hearing isn’t real.”

“Come again?”

A boyish, cheeky lowering of his lashes. “I can make you come all night, Sparkles. Just say the word.”

“How is it possible you’re almost three hundred and still have a horny teenager’s mind?”

River’s lips quirked. “Talent.”

“Naturally.”

“See? You get me.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Mmhm. And I’m being facetious.”

“Why?”

His humor vanished. “Because we’re stuck here against our wills.”

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

Blake watched River prowl through the caravan, systematically opening cupboards and rifling through their contents. His actions grew more agitated with each cabinet opened. Each held a range of supplies, from tools, food, clothes, medicines, linen, and more. It looked like they’d be well stocked for weeks.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. “What exactly are you looking for?”

“Yes!” Triumph lit up his face as he yanked his Guardian uniform from an open chest on the floor. He brandished his chakram before her like a prize. “Look what I found.”

“Yes, very impressive. But you still haven’t told me why we’re locked in here.”

“Because if I can get us out…” He split the chakram into two deadly crescents and flashed her a grin. “It won’t matter.”

He shooed her back with an impatient gesture. It might have annoyed her if he didn’t look so cute, being all determined and shit.

Blake retreated to the bed nook. “Far enough for you?”

“Yep.” His eyes found hers again, checking—not showing off as she’d first thought, but ensuring her safety. The realizationsent warmth blooming in her chest, followed by a sharp pang of longing. She’d not felt his emotions travel through their bond for a while now. But she knew he felt hers. Why did he hide his feelings?

“Nothing to worry about,” he assured her, misinterpreting her angst. “We’ll be out of here in no time. Metal cuts through magic.”

He spun, all grace and deadly power, and slammed his right blade into the door. The impact sounded like a thunderclap. She flinched, hands flying to cover her face.