Page 77 of The Broken Elf King
Raife held out a hand. “I’ll let you ladies take the lead.”
My aunt gave me a knowing look, a look that said she liked him, and I tried not to blush. Opening the front door, I looked left and right, making sure it was clear. It was. We all stepped out onto the street and I palmed the key in my hand, seeing no use to lock up or put it back. I wanted to keep it as a memento. My aunt started to walk left, away from the tavern and down the back of the road that would lead to the industrial complex, but then I got an idea.
“Be right back,” I told them, and turned. Lifting up on my tiptoes, I grabbed the “love grows here” sign, having to wiggle it back and forth to loosen the nail that held it in place. When I finally got it off, my aunt was waiting behind me with her small suitcase open.
I grinned, placing it on top of all of her beloved possessions, and then we were ready to go.
We made quick work of the longer route, but as we neared the industrial building I noticed the lights were on in one of them. This was where all of the queen’s machines were made and tested and replicated en masse. A lot of the citizens worked machine factory jobs, but they were usually only working during the daylight hours.
There were shadows moving behind the frosted glass windows and we walked faster, hoping to pass before anyone saw us. Just as we neared the closest window with a light on, a blood-curdling scream ripped through the air and the hair on my arms stood up.
Raife stopped and I did as well, sharing a look with him.
My aunt chewed her lip, eyeing the window, then the scream came again. It was female, and it was clear she was in pain or being tortured.
“Not sure I can sleep at night if we pass by and don’t try to help.” My aunt was always direct and to the point, which was a big thing I loved about her.
“Same,” I agreed.
Raife sighed, pulling out his small dagger, and handed it to me. “You know how to use one, I assume?” He’d seen me fight the slaver the first day, and although I didn’t relish violence I would use it when needed, without hesitation.
I nodded and he pulled out his bow. Turning to my aunt, he held her gaze. “Meet us at the garden storm drain. If a guard stops you on the way, tell him you’re leaving your husband, that you caught him cheating. Make a big scene and make the guard feel uncomfortable.”
My aunt nodded. “Won’t be too far from the truth.”
I winced; her husband really had cheated on her, but it was he who left for the other woman. Raife looked stricken, but my aunt smiled her crooked smile. “His loss. See you soon. Save that girl, or at least put her out of her misery.”
We nodded, but the thought of killing the girl hadn’t crossed my mind, and now I felt sick.
