Page 80 of A Sanctuary from Shadow
I caught my book bag, slipped its straps over my shoulders. Thank Danu, Pete hadn’t heard me yet.
Before I second-guessed myself, I rose on my feet, lost my balance when we hit a divot in the road, and flopped over the side of the wagon into the mud with a heavy splat. Somehow, I landed on my hands and knees, unscathed.
The warrior’s skin? I wondered.
I wasted no time debating my constitution. A muttered oath heralded the wagon’s rolling stop.
I sprang to my feet and sprinted to my left. The woods were dense enough that Pete might lose me in a chase. And as big as he was, I assumed myself faster. Even in a heavy dress, cloak, and Bugg boots. Sure, he’d sic Sionna after me, but I couldn’t picture her hurting a fly. I thought my odds of escape were pretty dang good.
That’s why I squawked when, upon gaining the tree line, something wrenched me backward like a yoyo on a string, bruising my shoulder blade. I lay sprawled in a damp patch of grass when a pair of sturdy, leather-clad legs stopped before me.
Pete squatted, his bearded face wry. “Run if you like.”
He reached down between us and grabbed something invisible off the ground. With one tug, a smoky rope materialized around my ankle. A rope connecting me to Pete’s bear paw.
His lips slanted when I gawped in horror. “You won’t make it fifteen feet before you come bouncing back to me, darlin’. My shadow tether will see to that.”
Squealing, I ripped off my boot, thinking the tether might slip off my bare foot. Of course, that would’ve been too damn simple. Instead of slipping off, the loop shrunk like wool in a dryer. Evidence of its existence disintegrated like dust, but I still felt it around my ankle—a velvety shackle.
I smacked my boot against the ground. “Oh, you fuckingson of a bitch!”My voice echoed, making birds squawk and flap from their nests—freaking Sionna the hell out. She skittered beneath the wagon, taking cover. Not exactly the behavior I expected of a harbinger’s dog.
Pete’s brow arched. “I’ll have you know my mother was a fine woman.”
Fuming, I gritted, “Couldn’t have been too fine if her son ended up a harbinger.”
“Ah, so youdorealize there’s a curse on your head. I wasn’t sure you were aware at first, what with the way you were flirting with me—a stranger in an unfamiliar place. I’d understand such a thing if you didn’t reckon yourself hunted. Now, I just think you’re foolish.”
“Wha—” I choked on my voice, aghast as I was. “Flirting?”
He smirked. “Aye.”
“I don’t even know how to flirt, you dumbass!” Was Danu out to get me? “I’m a quiet bookworm who—”
“Oh, save me the humble innocent shite,” he snapped. “I won’t buy it now any more than I did last night. I don’t give a wit how you’re dressed, or that you couldn’t buy yourself supper. That proves nothing. Your companion the sluaghs carried off was probably hauling your purse for you—because it was just too bloody heavy for your dainty highborn shoulders to heft.” At my shock, he spat into the dirt. “You’re a Danann. You surely grew up on a massive estate, surrounded by gold ingots and seeds from the Hanging Gardens. Your da probably owns land in all four courts.” He sniffed, lip curling. “Look at me and tell me I’m wrong.”
I looked at him but couldn’t form words. Did being king of everything mean Daddy had ownedallthe land?
“Thought so.”
“You don’t know anything about me!”
“Oh, no? Tell me what house you hale from, and I’ll ken all I need.”
Like fucking hell will I fall for that!“I’m not telling you a damn thing. My name doesn’t dictate my innocence. I don’t need to prove myself to you. IknowI’m a good person. Unlike you.”
“Hm, yes. Good enough to call your slaves friends.”
I joggled. “Slaves?”
“Of course. How else would you have come by ‘a lot’ of humans, as you said? Purchased them at auction, you did. Or did your da purchase yourfriendsfor you?”
Had I hit my head or something? Was this shit for real?
“It was also sweet of you to repay my kindness for feeding and entertaining you last night by assuming I’d rape you while you snored.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Just as I was tucking you into my bedroll, like a gentleman—”
