Page 38 of Wicked Curses
The guilt of his father’s death was a constant weight around his neck. One that would haunt him until the day he died.
He’d done what he believed was right when he sided against King Tove. His father’s plan to bring down the Lord was more subverted, but Orin thought they needed to do more. They’d both failed in their missions, but his father lost his life because ofhim.
He could never change that or make it better; he had to live with it. Never one for self-flagellation, it wasn’t something he beat himself up about every day, but it was something he regretted.
And now Brokk was also missing, or at least he was before Sahira arrived here. He could have returned since she left Dragonia, but he had no way of knowing.
If his younger brother hadn’t returned yet, then Orin had to get out of here to help Cole and the others find him. He couldn’t lose another brother. He didn’t think his heart could take another loss like that.
“They’re going to try to kill her,” Zeth said.
Orin frowned as the demon’s words pulled him from memories of his family. “Who?”
“The witches.”
“I’ve made it clear she’s off-limits to Carmella.”
“And witches trip over themselves to obey others.”
Orin ignored Zeth’s sardonic tone as he pondered the demon’s words. Sahira was one of the toughest immortals he’d ever met. She’d spent decades protecting her niece and working with her brother to cover up thebiggestsecret in all the realms.
He’d also seen her with her mother, an uncaring bitch who obviously had nothing to do with raising her daughter. The two of them couldn’t have been any more opposite in personalities. Sahira was kind, loyal, loving, and would do anything for her family. Lydia would die before acknowledging her daughter.
Lydia’s callous attitude toward her child didn’t affect Sahira when they ran into her. He suspected her thick skin had taken many years to grow… or maybe she was good at hiding any pain her mother inflicted on her.
“I don’t see the witches or warlocks challenging her to a pit fight. Even if they did, Sahira could say no, and that would be the end of it,” he said.
She was a prideful woman, but she wasn’t stupid enough to fight someone more powerful than her. Everyone here would respect her decision; she wouldn’t be shunned or banished to where so many others had most likely died.
“Would it?” Zeth asked.
“If they tried to do something outside of the pit, they’d break the law, and Belda would make them pay. There’s no way they would risk banishment from this town.”
“I don’t think they care. They want her dead.”
“Then they’ll have to go through me to get her.”
He planned on bending the little witch to his will and having her in his bed, but no one else would mess with her.
“Do you think you could stopallof them?” Zeth asked.
Orin laughed as he rested his hand against the wall and leaned against it. “I have no doubt.”
Zeth looked doubtful, but even before the demon’s eyes went past him, Orin knew Sahira had arrived. Although her step was silent, her honey scent preceded her.
Lowering his hand, he turned as she stopped in the doorway a few feet away. “How was work, dear?”
She rolled her eyes at him before shifting her focus to Zeth. “What if itisan infinity symbol, and all the symbols are also supposed to be a compass rose?”
Zeth’s brow furrowed, and Orin tilted his head, as her question intrigued him. Where was she going with this?
“What if they are?” he inquired.
“I’m not sure,” Sahira muttered. “I haven’t figured out what it might mean, but if we’re missing south—and I’m going to say it’s south instead of wondering if the compass is flipped around, upside down, and crazy here—what if an infinity symbol means south is supposed to go on?”
“Go on to where?” Orin asked.
Sahira looked helplessly at him before turning to the symbol on the wall. “Beyond this town.”
