Page 49 of Marked for Execution
As much as that made sense, I didn’t like the idea. She was put in chains once, what would stop them from doing it again? Did they even recognize her? “Sili, did you look different the last time you were here?”
“You mean, was I disguising as a boy? No. But my hair was a lot shorter. I was dirtier, having just returned from something I shouldn’t have survived.”
Only to end up dying again.The world hadn’t given her a break and probably never would.
“Siliand I will recon. If anyone asks, we’re fucking in the other room.”
Gunner choked, but we ignored him. A few seconds later, a knock came at the door. Walking over, I checked outside the windows and saw that it was one of the young girls. Opening the door, I stared at her in confusion.
“T-The High Father wanted me to let you know that the bathhouses are available for you if you so wish to use them. We keep the doors open until nightfall, to help keep everyone safe.”
What the hell?“Safe from what?”
Her eyes widened innocently before she leaned in and whispered, “From the vampires.”
“They frequent this compound?” I could feelSilistand behind me.
“More like terrorize, sir. We have to make sure we keep inside of our homes while The High Father makes a deal to keep them at bay. He’s our hero, truly, with how he takes care of all of us. Without him, we’d all be dead,” she said solemnly, with the uttermost faith.
I filed this information in the back of my mind as I nodded and listened to everything she said. “Alright. Thank you for the information.”
“You’re welcome.” She hesitated to leave, and I quirked an eyebrow. “W-would your female companion like to stay with one of the women’s housing? We have some for the widows and unmarried girls.”
“No.”
I shut the door on her and turned around to face the men.
“Makes a deal? What the hell kinda deal do you make with a vampire?” Reed asked with his arms crossed.
“The only thing a blood sucker wants is blood. There’s no other explanation.” I looked toSili,who stared at me for direction. “It still doesn’t make any sense, since they essentially killed you and casted you off. Why not keep you alive to offer up to a bloodsucker as live bait, if this is what they’re doing here?”
“I don’t know.”
“I know you don’t. It’s okay. We’re going to find out.” Staring out the window, I realized there was still an hour or so before the sun went down.
“I’m going to head out to this bathhouse and see what else is out there. I’ll report back in a few.”
My eyes went to both Reed and Gunner, telling them to take care ofSiliwithouttellingthem. They both nodded as I headed out the front door.
The smell of cooking food had faded, replaced by hot metal. Following my nose, I was led to the center of the compound where Fitri told me was the main trade location. Weaving in and out of the stalls, my eyes located the forge. The blacksmith had a welding mask over his face, his body sweating behind his apron. I watched behind one of the buildings as he pulled out a long piece of metal, bright red from the fires of the forge.
He hammered it with expertise, the sparks flying to the sides.
This place was more than what it seemed. The women here all dressed simply in similar dresses, and the men in similar trousers and a shirt. Only the blacksmith stood out with his uniform as he continued to flatten the blade into something to be used for battle. That shit was as large as a full-blown sword.
Why would a simple compound like this need a blade that large if the High Father made a pact with a bloodsucker?
They were killing, but killing what?Why would the iron forge constantly need to be in use if there were only a certain number of residents in this community? Surely, they had more than enough weapons for each person here. The only other thought that came to mind would be weapons for trade. Was this what the young woman spoke about?They traded with vampires?Why did that solution sound too simple?
Forgetting the bathhouse, I walked back to the men as the sun went down. I knocked two times, paused, and then two times again. Samuel opened the door and let me in. We had developed a system when in unknown territory to make sure we knew it was each other.
“I located the forge. They might be trading with the bloodsuckers.”
“Which clan? Who still uses swords?” Gunner threw out.Good question.
“We’re about to find out. Fitri, with me. Keep your eyes peeled. I don’t trust the young women here either; they’re too innocent.”
Siligot up from the couch and checked all her weapons. She left her crossbow in a bush near the vehicle in case.Smart move.We didn’t need to draw more attention than we already did coming into this compound.