Page 80 of The Savage Vow
Because if they didn’t, he would literally escort Rujin into Aghon himself.
A strong metallicscent clung to the air. Orlena could taste it at the back of her throat. It was everywhere. In the wind. In the dirt beneath her boots.
She stumbled over something.
A small scream tore from her throat.
A body.
She caught herself before she fell. She glanced down and swallowed back the bile that threatened to rise. It was one of the orcs who had been sitting around the fire, his thick braids matted with blood. His throat had been slit from one side to the other.
Her stomach twisted again.
She glanced around and took in the scene. It was a slaughter field. Her gaze landed on Nargol who walked through it like nothing had ever happened here. Orlena scurried to catch up to her. Fear wrapped itself around her.
The moonlight shifted and landed on Nargol. Blood had dried in sharp lines across her cheekbone. Her braids were loosened, and the hair hung casually down her back. Her shoulders rose and fell steadily as though she had merely finished splitting wood or something.
Orlena’s heart thudded so violently she thought she might faint. She moved closer to Nargol. The silence that surrounded them was eerie. It would appear even nature had ceased all movements and had fallen quiet.
They paused near the edge of the camp. Nargol turned and scrutinized the area. Orlena stared at her, unable to believe that one person had caused this. Just not long ago, these same orcs had sat around a fire laughing and talking about their future. They’d even boasted how they would be rewarded.
Now there was no future for them.
At least, not in this realm.
“You did all of this?” Orlena whispered in disbelief.
How could one person do this type of destruction? Those orcs had been large and fierce. They’d said that Nargol was a spy…a warrior. What kind of warrior would be able to take on all of these orcs and walk away with only minor scratches and a bruise or two?
Her breath hitched as a thought hit her. She spun toward the cave, panic suddenly setting in. She took a step then paused when she saw the area where she and the women had been held was empty. “Where are the women?”
Nargol turned to face her. Something in her eyes softened at the question.
“I freed them and gave them directions to a nearby shelter. They should be safe for a day or two until we can send someone for them,” Nargol said.
Relief crashed into Orlena so hard her knees nearly buckled.
Alive.
The women were alive.
She nodded, though her hands shook. So much had transpired in such a short amount of time. She hadn’t had a chance to learn all of their names, but she hoped they would all be okay. If Nargol said that they would be safe, then she had to trust her.
A shudder rippled through her. She couldn’t stop staring at the bodies. At what Nargol had done.
This proved what her orc was capable of.
“Stop looking,” Nargol murmured. She pulled Orlena close to her and shielded her from what had taken place here. She lifted Orlena’s chin so their eyes could meet. “Those orcs were not honorable. They were going to give you and the other women to the trolls. They are starting a war. If they get their way, many will die. Now me and my family will finish what they started.”
Her voice ended on a growl. She glanced up and looked around. She took Orlena by the hand. “We need to move. Now.”
They headed down the mountain path. Gravel shifted under her tread, and she stumbled. Nargol was sure-footed as she led the way. She tightened her grip on Orlena’s hand to help steady her. Night wrapped around them in a thick silence. The forest felt different now.
Every snap of a twig made Orlena flinch and jerk. Every gust of wind felt like a whisper of something hunting them. Orlena checked behind them and saw nothing but darkness and shadows. The hairs on the back of her neck rose to attention. It felt as if something was watching them.
Her mind just wouldn’t settle. It spun and collided with itself. She glanced at the orc walking ahead of her.
Spy.
