Page 33 of Whispers of Ruin
Kaylia didn’t protest as the guards led her across the clearing to the largest hut beneath a giant tree.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR
Allegra followedthem into the hut, along with all their guards. A small table, crafted from wood, sat in the center of the structure, and Ryker moved to sit behind it. One of the guards brushed past them and placed their packs on the table with Kaylia’s sword.
Relief filled her at the sight of them. She didn’t have many supplies, but she preferred to keep her meager belongings.
Ryker set Brokk’s blade in front of him and placed his quiver and bow on the ground before gesturing to the two empty chairs across from him. The chairs had been crafted from logs and sticks twisted together. “Sit.”
The guards released their hold on them but remained standing far too close for Kaylia’s liking. She brought her hands forward and flexed her fingers to ease the cramped muscles in them.
Beside her, Brokk remained defiant as he planted his feet. Kaylia gulped as she looked from Ryker to Brokk and back again. A battle of wills emanated within the structure barely big enough for all of them.
Brokk was usually far more easygoing than his brothers, but it was clear he didn’t like anyone commanding him. It was also clear that Ryker was used to being obeyed and expected his prisoners to do so too.
With the men against her back and Allegra to her right, the structure felt smaller as their bodies and the walls pressed against her. Sweat beaded her nape as Kaylia remained standing beside Brokk.
Ryker leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest, and studied them. “Why are you in Doomed Valley?”
“Why areyouin Doomed Valley?” Brokk retorted.
Kaylia rolled her eyes as she realized they were about to enter a stalemate as each of them tried to prove who had the biggest dick. She wouldn’t be surprised if they whipped them out to measure them on the table.
They could stand here all night, spinning in circles and getting nowhere if this continued, and since she was exhausted and sought answers, she wasn’t about to let that happen. “We came in search of crudue vine.”
She ignored Brokk as she sensed his eyes boring into the side of her head. They could stand here all night and get nowhere or try to figure out what was happening.
These immortals could have answers, and she was curious about what was going on here.What kind of immortals are they, and why are witches with them?
“Why?” Ryker inquired.
“To savetheQueen of the Shadow Realms… thearachqueen.”
Ryker’s palms flattened on the table as a murmur ran through those surrounding them.
“The arach are all dead,” Allegra said.
“No, they’re not. One still lives; she has assumed the throne and control of the dragons. She’s also engaged to Brokk’s brother.”
“Holy shit,” someone whispered. “Is that true?”
Kaylia didn’t bother to look at the man who spoke as she replied, “It is all true. Thousands of immortals, all working together, managed to destroy the Lord and get her on the throne where she belongs.”
“Then why does she have to be saved?” Ryker asked.
“A traitor amongst us nearly killed her with a noxus scorpion. I managed to stop the poison from destroying her, but without the crudue vine, we can’t wake her, and the throne is again vulnerable.”
“It seems we’ve missed a lot while here,” Ryker muttered as he rubbed at his stubble-lined chin. “Sit.”
When neither moved, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “I know where there’s some crudue vine. Now, sit.”
Kaylia’s heart leapt in excitement, and she took an involuntary step forward. “You do?”
“Yes, but I’ll hearallof what you have to say first.”
Kaylia glanced at Brokk before pulling out a chair and settling onto it. If he knew where there was some crudue vine, she would sit and learn its location.
Ryker ignored Brokk as his attention shifted to her. “Tell me everything. Starting with how it’s possible an arach still lives.”
