Page 59 of The Fury She Holds
“I want them to suffer just as much as you, but these mages are dangerous. And they wantyou. These guys could be our way of trackingallof them down before they get to you.”
Faron cut in, “He has a point, princess—”
“Don’t start with me,” Tal shot back. She pointed at the noble who held both hands in the air. “You were the one who said we would let the visit take place, and then I could take them out.” She gestured down the street. “If we let them go, they could just as easily attack someone who can’t defend themselves, and that would be onme, becauseIdidn’t stop them.”
Eddard came jogging back, briefly interrupting the conversation. “The apparition disappeared a hundred paces down. I see no evidence of the mage.”
Silence hung between them as the new information sank in.
Carrick’s gentle voice cut through Tal’s thoughts. “They won’t be able to attack anyone because we’ll be watching.” He had always been her voice of reason and talked her down from the edge countless times. It infuriated her as much as it helped her.
"Jens will help with shifts," Eddard offered.
Faron leaned closer. "We won't let them get away."
Tal said nothing for three breaths while her eyes wandered the street, and she deliberated. Finally, she sighed and gritted her teeth. “Fine. But once we find out what we need, they're dead.”
“Agreed,” said the two men in unison. Eddard simply grinned.
“And a tail on them at all times.”
“Of course," Carrick said.
At the same time, Faron replied, “Obviously.”
Tal shot a pointed glare at Faron for the slight attitude. “We’ll monitor. If there isanysign of the mage or its apparition, we consult with Sybil. If she says to attack, we don’t hesitate.”
17
Janin begged Tal not to leave. “Please play with us! We’ll give you honey tarts!”
“Why don’t you go play with the other children?” Tal suggested. The brother and sister had settled right in according to the baker’s wife. She smiled at Evania, who hid behind the older woman’s skirts.
Tal spoke to the baker briefly about the ongoing search for his niece. It had been nearly a year since the man’s brother had beseeched Tal for help. The family had stopped asking for updates, but Tal still informed them every few weeks of her continued search efforts. The baker thanked her, his resigned tone sobering her mood. She tried to offer money to cover the children’s needs for the next few weeks. The baker refused, saying they were more than compensated. Tal assumed Rainier had taken care of it and bid farewell.
It had been two days since their decision to continue watching Badger and Gully. Her mind wandered while visiting the children. Her daggers hung heavily in their sheaths, almostcommanding her to bring the men to their knees. It wouldn’t be easy to sit back during her watch today.
The door to the baker’s shop smacked against its frame.
“I’m not answering that, Faron.” Carrick’s unmistakably deep growl carried over the noise of the busy street.
“I can’t help you if I’m left in the dark. Is this because of Nola’s rescue? Are they looking for revenge?” Faron’s back faced Tal. She didn’t expect his concern.
She could see the tension in his shoulders through his thin white shirt. Her stomach squeezed at the sight of him—the first time since Badger and Gully’s house. She pursed her lips and fought the urge to get his attention.
Carrick’s eyes flicked to her, but he didn’t acknowledge her presence. His hulking form leaned against the front window. “You can help by keeping your mouth shut and finding the mages.”
Faron ran a hand through his hair. “You’re almost as impossible as Tal, do you know that?”
Tal scoffed. “Is that what you think of me?”
Faron spun, shock quickly morphing to delight when their eyes met. “There you are! I was just telling Carrick—”
“I heard. Are you ready?” Faron had offered to tail the two thugs alongside her. The anticipation of spending nearly a whole day with him caused her to toss and turn all night.
“Once I learn what it is you’re not telling me.” The corner of his mouth quirked.
Tal crossed her arms and met his unwavering stare. “We only found out they were after me the night of the fires. I don’t know why yet.” She could feel the heat creeping up her neck.Dammit, she thought. She was usually an excellent liar.
