Cursed, p.3
Cursed, page 3
part #3 of Haven Realm Series
“The horse?” Ted asked, and despite his stoic voice, a thread of excitement thrummed beneath his question.
“Well, if you don’t like the payment, I’d gladly keep him. He’s worth ten times what I owe you, so how about we can call this paying my tab and an advance?”
Ted chuckled and stuck out his hand. “You ought to consider taking up undercover work because you always surprise me. Many people pay well in that field.”
I shook his hand and offered him a smug smile. “Who said I wasn’t? But you may want to discard the saddle pretty quick, as it comes with a priestess emblem from Terra. And guards might come snooping.”
Ted drew me toward him by my arm, wrenching me halfway over the counter. “Seems the innocence in your eyes is deceiving. I’ll take the horse and we have a deal. Now what will you have to drink?” He released me, and I fell into my seat.
“Pear cider, a plate of your famous chicken fingers, and information.”
He narrowed his eyes and leaned on an elbow on the bar. “Keep talking.”
The couple at the end of the counter was deep in conversation, and not paying us any mind. “I was meant to meet Elliana here a few days ago. You know, the girl with the long, blonde hair. We both got drunk a few months ago, then you kicked us out. Have you seen her? Maybe she left a message for me?”
Ted’s lips twitched in a frown. “She owes me a bigger debt than you, and I don’t take messages.” He wiped his stubbled chin, the sound grating on my nerves. “Haven’t seen her since last week.”
I forced a brittle smile, weariness eating away at my confidence and the earlier excitement of getting this job.
“Has anyone hung out at the tavern most of this week?”
“Girl, everyone does that here. I don’t keep record of who comes and goes.” Ted looked over at the couple at the bar, who waved him over. “Sorry I can’t be of more help.”
Ted poured me a long glass of cider, placed it in front of me, and joined his other clientele.
I slouched, coldness washing through my body, and drank half the cider. Its sweetness churned in my gut. If Elliana avoided the tavern, she’d probably turn up disguised. Well, she had selected this spot as our meeting place. What if she’d given up on me and offered the job to someone else? And to make matters worse, it was too late in the day to head back home, and it would be on foot since I’d sold Elf.
So I’d stay for as long as my credit with Ted allowed me to rent one of his rooms in case Elliana made a show. Nervousness chewed on my insides. Getting paid meant paying off Dad’s huge debt, no longer having to live hand to mouth.
I swiveled on my stool, tempted to check out the other bars and shops in town for Elliana. But what if I missed her popping into the tavern?
The man from the corner stared my way. Shadows danced beneath his hooded face, and a shiver raced down my arms.
Had he heard what I’d asked Ted? Did he know Elliana, or was he working with her?
He stood, towering overhead at about six-foot-two, and when he headed toward me, my heart slammed into my chest. Judging by his concealed face, was I dealing with a gang member? They were renowned for kidnapping loners and selling them on the black market.
When he put his hand into the inside pocket of his coat, I lost my breath.
Chapter 3
My heart hit the back of my throat. The six-foot-two stranger glided toward me like someone who knew the fine qualities of not making a sound. His long, unbuttoned coat, dark as a winter night, reached his knees. Underneath he wore black. Though his hood covered the top half of his face, I caught his prominent jaw and the muscles of his neck. His lips parted as if he might snarl.
With a deep inhale, I turned my back on him to show him I had no intention of confronting him, whatever his issue. Ted wiped down a wet glass and didn’t seem to bat an eye at the man behind me, but then again, he served all kinds of clientele here. On my last visit, I’d seen a man I swore could have been a lion shifter with his wild golden hair, and the fact that a growl had hung at the end of each of his words only cemented that theory in my mind. So what was hooded stranger’s deal?
He slammed a hand on the counter inches from my elbow and pulled back, leaving behind several gold coins.
I shouldn't have trembled, but heck, something about his presence had my nerves on edge. I blamed being unable to see his face. Show who the hell you are, otherwise no one will trust you.
As much as I wanted to twist around, I refused. Ted wasn't acting strange. So the fraying anxiety was in my head, along with the screaming urge to leave the tavern, but for once, the prickles down my flesh weren’t there. No warning from the goddess. Talk about whiplash emotions.
"Why’s a little girl like you alone in the bar today?” His question drifted over my shoulder, a deep, cultured voice reverberating through me.
I swallowed back a groan.
“Didn’t your mother tell you it’s rude to act all creepy?” I had no time for someone trying to belittle me, regardless of whether or not his voice tickled my libido.
“Besides, who said I was alone?” I continued. “And calling me ‘little’ implies I'm helpless. That's where you're dead wrong.” I took a gulp of my cider and licked the last drops off my lips.
He swallowed loudly, and the hairs on my arms shifted. His breath washed across the back of my neck when he whispered, “Don’t be so sure about that.”
What!? Yeah right. I tensed, my hand flinching to my waist, brushing the knife’s hilt, and I spun on my swiveling chair to confront him. Instead, I spotted the last wisps of his long coat as he stormed out of the bar, the door slapping shut behind him.
“Asshole. He’s lucky he left.”
I shook my head and finished my drink when Ted placed a plate of chicken fingers with roasted potato wedges in front of me. Their salty and greasy aroma left me salivating.
“Damn, who cares about some loser when there's food involved,” I said.
Ted laughed, reminding me of my dad. What was he doing now? Enjoying dinner with Santos while mesmerized by Ariella’s tales?
“You sound like my daughter,” Ted joked. “Food comes first, even before me." He set the dish down in front of me. Goddess, if Ted moved to Terra, he’d make a killing. Except he’d once told me he was a quarter bear shifter and three-quarters human, which was why he’d set up shop at the foot of the White Peak Mountains. He didn’t quite fit into either world, so he’d carved his own haven. Smart man, and being out of Terra meant no trouble from the priestess or her guards finding out he wasn’t a pure human. Bear shifters didn’t have such rules in White Peak. Or least so I’d heard… but who the hell knew the truth since they kept to themselves?
Figuring I might as well get comfortable as I waited and prayed Elliana would arrive soon, I grabbed my dish and hoisted my bag in my other hand, then headed to the back table, where the hooded man had nursed his drink.
Ted followed me with a fresh glass of cider. “Enjoy.”
“Thanks.” I glanced out the window to an empty dirt road. Returning to my meal, I sat and dug in.
Trepidation wormed its way up my legs and coiled in my gut like a goddamn punch. The tavern buzzed with activity, people standing there as if it were a festival. Had to be close to fifty patrons crowding the room. The chatter was like cicadas in my ears, and I shifted in my seat, feeling as if I was wearing a dress two sizes too small. I hated crowds. And despite all these people, there was no Elliana. Would she arrive later? Goddess, I hoped so.
Night claimed the world outside, and considering I wasn’t going anywhere tonight, I threw back my fifth cider and picked at the second plate of chicken fingers.
A loud chuckle drew my eye to the bar, where two friends hugged, slapping each other’s backs. They wore thigh-length tunics and matching sand-colored pants. Were they from Utaara, the desert realm where a sultan lived in his enormous palace?
Someone else pulled the chair out across from me and plonked himself down, grinning. “Hey, beautiful.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not interested. Leave.”
Surprise crossed his face, which told me everything, like girls rarely turned him down. Not that I could blame them. I mean, with his golden hair, strong cheekbones, and sun-kissed skin, he was cute. Didn’t make him any less of an ass.
I scanned the room when Blondie snatched my hand, squeezing. I wrenched myself away from him, but he didn’t budge or release me.
“Listen, little girl,” he began, causing rage to sear through my veins, sick and tired of being referred to as anything but a lady or woman. Come on, I was nineteen, sure only five-foot-two, but that made no difference. That was why heels had been invented. Not only did they give me height, but they came in handy as weapons when trapped.
“No, you listen, sugarplum.” I smirked. “Unless you plan on giving me a spiritual palm reading, let me go before I break your nose.”
His mouth widened in satisfaction like a wolf who’d cornered his prey. “I just want to talk.” He peered over his shoulder at two men who looked his way and lifted his chin in acknowledgment.
Oh yeah, now I understood. A jerk completing a dare from his friends to pick up the lonely girl at the tavern. “What would you want to chat about?” I began. “The weather? What I like for breakfast? Or how you still live with your parents and this little venture with your buddies to White Peak makes you feel so tough?”
I tried to tug my hand free, but he held. “Bitch.”
“Been called worse things.” I kicked him under the table.
He flinched, his grip loosening, and I leaped to my feet, grabbing the knife from my belt. I lunged past the table and pressed the tip to his neck before he could react. A satisfied smile tugged on my lips. I loved payback. “Now play nice and run back to your friends.”
His cheeks blanched while the bridge between his nose pinched. He got up in slow motion, the seat scraping across the wooden floorboards beneath him. Hate flooded his wry expression. Yeah, rejection stung.
I swept my gaze over his group of buddies. None of them made a move toward us, and I gave them my one-finger salute. I lowered my blade from Blondie and withdrew. “Get the fuck out of my face.”
Except he jumped at me, hands going for my throat.
But someone from within the crowd grabbed him by the back of the shirt and tossed him into the masses as if he weighed nothing. Blondie and a huddle of partygoers stumbled to the ground.
I raised my gaze to the stranger with the hood from earlier in the day. He stood there, his face still half-covered, his chest puffing in and out, wide enough to carry the entire world.
“You’re back, I see.” I lifted my weapon because I wasn’t sure what his deal was or if it was a full moon out that had turned everyone into lunatics. “I appreciate the bravado, but I can look after myself.”
The majority of patrons fanned outward, watching, waiting for a fight. Blondie and his buddies rushed up behind Hooded Man.
“Watch out,” I yelled.
He spun so fast, I flinched backward, hitting the wall, the blade shaking in my hand. Yeah, this was a night of crazies, and I didn’t stand a chance against the newcomer. First rule of attending any tavern… never engage in a brawl with anyone twice your size. The stranger punched Blondie, sending him reeling into a group of people, bringing several bystanders down with him. Two other attackers surged forward, arms flying, grunts exploding, and the crowd cheered them on, bellowing in excitement.
Men were the same no matter where I traveled. And in all honesty, I didn’t need to cheer on a fight now or ever, so I flung my bag over my shoulder and squeezed into the hordes.
Hoots exploded around me, and several jabs in my ribs later, I pushed free from the masses. Sure, I appreciated the big man standing up for me, but no one had asked him to, and he could take care of himself. Worse yet, what if he expected payment for saving my ass? At the front door, I caught one last glance of the fight. Hooded Man appeared to be winning as he drove a fist into Blondie’s stomach.
Hell, that must hurt. I dashed outside and heading for one of Ted’s rental room places down the street. If I rushed, no one would see which one I snuck into for the night. With the cold enveloping me, I pulled my long, black coat out of my bag and slipped it on.
Then I ran, dried dirt crunching underfoot, and twisted my head around. More people poured into the establishment, and the moment the doors opened, a thundering cheer escaped.
Nothing I hadn’t seen before, but still the shakes hadn’t left me, not to mention the chill running down my spine. Yes, I know, Goddess. You’re warning me, and that’s why I’m leaving.
Being alone in White Peak left me with few options. Ted was an acquaintance, but what power did he have to stop anyone from tearing my throat out if they so chose?
Footfalls sounded from the tavern.
My heart raced, and I whirled, weapon still in hand.
No one had followed.
I turned and ran straight into someone, but it might as well have been a brick wall. I bounced backward, and my stomach roiled.
Gawking at the hooded man left me breathless for so many reasons, like how the hell did he get in front of me so fast? Did he now expect a reward for fighting those idiots in the tavern, but most importantly, why had he returned to the bar? Was he coming for me? Or was he helping me and just staying in town for the night? But I wasn’t in a trusting mood tonight.
“You’re welcome.” His gravelly voice carried on the wind buffeting him from behind. The hood he wore ruffled, darkening his features.
“Who are you?” I grumbled. “What do you want?”
There was movement in my peripheral vision. Blondie and five other men stormed our way. Fear flashed through me. I swore two of them looked familiar. Hard to tell in the dark.
I growled and sidestepped him.
Hooded Man blocked my path, his hand stretched out, palm up. “Let me keep you safe,” he said with caution, his gaze lifting to the gang approaching.
“Are you insane? Those hillbillies are coming for you.”
The encroaching steps grew louder, their voices reaching us.
I zigged to my right between two buildings. Damn, could the night get any worse? Surely, Ted hadn’t moved Elf yet, and I could ride him out of here. “Please be there,” I whispered.
The moment I burst into the darkened meadow where I’d left Elf, a strong arm snapped around my waist from behind and lifted me off the ground. Hooded Man grasped my knife, ripping it out of my hold.
I cried out as he pressed me against his side as if I were a toddler, my bag squished between us.
He broke into a run.
I jostled about, screaming.
People got kidnapped this way, then they woke up in an underground market auctioned off as slaves, or their organs removed and used for death magic. All kinds of things happened in the Darkwoods. Was that who this man was? A gang member making an extra coin?
I bucked and elbowed him in the chest. “Release me!”
“Enough!” he roared. “I’m trying to help you.”
“Fuck you.” With no weapon, I dug into my pocket for my herbs, energy already bubbling in my chest.
Five men emerged, each grasping long knives. “Get her! I want her to pay,” Blondie yelled. But when I recognized of the men as the idiot guard from Terra who’d broken Dad’s bedside table, I shuddered.
Once Blondie and his friends were done with me, the guard would drag me into a dungeon back in Terra to rot for life for leaving the realm. I lowered my head, praying he hadn’t seen me in the tavern. Or had they followed the horse’s tracks to the Golden Lock? I changed tactics and decided to take my chance with the big man, even if he was probably a bandit.
“Run faster,” I said. “They’re almost on us.”
We veered past the last building and came out in front of a carriage drawn by two dark stallions. Each had red horns, as if they’d just climbed their way out of the underworld. Their snorted exhales misted into the night. There was no rider out front. The carriage itself was pitch black with golden trim and studs encasing the door and windows. Rose motifs and thorned stems curled along the top paneling.
“Fuck!” Was this a hearse? Shit just got real. “You are kidnapping me, aren’t you?” I wriggled, panic gripping my insides. Energy rolled through me as I frantically tried to open the pouch with one hand.
“Don’t you dare put a spell on me.” His hand clasped across my mouth and nose, cutting off my air, pushing the pouch out of my hands. It slipped through my fingers and fell.
No! I was going to end up an undead with my organs sold to the highest bidder.
He kicked the door, and it creaked open. Inside the seats were torn, as if someone had released a large feral cat to mangle the decor.
I drove my heels into his legs and flung my arm against his face, hitting him.
But he rushed us inside, and with a whistle, the carriage lurched forward.
We landed in a seat. Me constricted by a monster who suffocated me, stars dancing in my vision. My lungs strained and darkness crowded at the corners of my eyes.
Chapter 4
I jostled about, banging my head on something hard, and snapped open my eyes. Iciness wrapped around me, and I rubbed the chill that had settled over my arms. The blanket over my lap did little to warm me. My breath floated in front of my face, and my pulse rang in my ears. Night filled the air. As my vision focused, I found myself inside the creepy carriage.
A dimly-lit lantern swung from above the window, revealing a figure sitting across from me. Hooded Man. Arms folded over his stomach, his posture curled forward, his chin dipped into his chest. Was he asleep?
Memories crashed through me, and my brain ached. The Golden Lock tavern, Blondie trying to pick me up, and then this man kidnapping me with a freakin’ carriage. The only people who owned one were royalty visiting Terra from Darkwoods. So did that mean I’d been kidnapped and was getting transported in the opposite direction to White Peak? The urge to scream and run pushed on my mind.
