Dawn Study (Soulfinders #3)(56)

“Can you find us a couple babysitters for these guys?” he asked.

“No problem.” She headed toward the back door but paused next to the man she’d stripped of weapons. “Too bad we couldn’t take them on a wild Valmur chase.”

“Yes, too bad,” Valek said. “Maybe next time.”

“That would be fun!”

Oh boy, she’d really caught the bug.

*

Valek freed Onyx and Sunfire from the harness and groomed them before settling them next to Rusalka in the makeshift stable. Soon after, Reema returned with three grubby street rats—two girls and a boy. Valek explained what he needed them to do and paid them in advance. The older boy stared at the coins in his palm with a sly squint.

“Don’t even think about it, Mouse,” Reema said to the teen. “I know where you hang.”

“So? I ain’t gonna do nothin’.”

“Good, because I don’t want to tell Pickle about—”

“Yeah, I got it. We’ll be here every day.”

Valek watched in amusement as they glanced back at Reema as they left. “Pickle is scarier than me?”

“To Mouse, yes.”

“I do not know whether to be proud of Reema or petrified,” Devlen rasped from the wagon.

“Daddy!” Reema flew into his arms, transforming into a little girl.

Devlen hugged his daughter tight. Well aware of the physical aftereffects of being in a drugged sleep, Valek poured Devlen a cup of water.

The big man downed it. He scanned the room before his gaze settled on Valek. “Thanks for the rescue. How—?”

“Reema can explain it to you. I need to check along our escape route and ensure there’s not an ambush waiting for us.”

Reema toed one of the unconscious men. “They wanted us to escape. Why would they have an ambush?”

“To keep up appearances. Or there might be more watchers waiting.”

“Why—? Oh.”

“Oh?” Devlen asked.

“In case we spotted these two. They would be the backups,” Reema said, as if it was obvious.

“I am leaning toward petrified,” Devlen said.

Valek laughed. The motion caused the cut on his back to flare to life. He’d forgotten about his injuries. Blood soaked his right sleeve, and a deep cut showed through the rip in the fabric.

“You will need to change your...or rather, my tunic before leaving,” Devlen said.

Valek pulled off the shirt with care. Pain burned in his elbow. Showing Devlen his back, he asked, “How bad is it?”

“Bad. It needs to be sealed or stitched up,” Devlen said. “Do you have glue or thread with you?”

“No.” But he had something better. Magic. Except he couldn’t see his back. He needed Devlen’s help. “Reema, can you check the route?” Valek held a hand up before her father could protest. “She spotted these guys before I did and can wear one of the mirror illusion cloaks. Even if she’s seen, they won’t bother her.”

Offended, she said, “I won’t be seen. And I don’t need a cloak.”

“Take it, or you cannot go,” Devlen said.

Even though she wore an exasperated expression, Reema wisely grabbed one from the floor.

“Go where?” Leif asked in a rough voice. He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck.

“On a mission.” Reema gave her uncle a quick hug before slipping through the door.

“Uh...isn’t she a little young—”

“Without her help, you and Devlen wouldn’t be here.” Valek poured another cup of water and handed it to Leif.

“Thanks.” Leif surveyed the scene as he gulped the liquid. “Took us out with the garbage, eh? Sweet.” Then he straightened in alarm. “Mara and my father—”

“—are safe with Yelena,” Valek said.

“But they were—”

“They’re safe. I’ll explain everything later. I need to heal my wounds first.”

“Heal?” Devlen asked.

Valek met Leif’s gaze.

“I didn’t tell him,” Leif said.

“What about the Cartel?” Valek asked Leif.

“No. They wanted to know our plans and where we’ve been hiding.”

No surprise. “And what did you tell them?”

Leif touched a purple bruise on his cheek. “All my best jokes, but they failed to find them humorous.”

“I finally have something in common with the Cartel,” Devlen said.

“Ha. Ha,” Leif deadpanned.

“Are you strong enough to help me?” Valek asked Leif.

“Yes.”

Valek turned his back on Leif and relaxed his mental barrier. He pulled a thread of magic and connected with his brother-in-law. “Let me see through your eyes.”

Leif focused on Valek’s injury. The slash started along his left shoulder blade and crossed over to his right side, ending at the waistband of his pants. Gathering another thread of power, Valek used it to repair the damage, sewing the muscles and skin back together. Then he healed the smaller and deeper wound on his right arm. Exhausted from the effort, Valek leaned on the wagon.

“That is new,” Devlen said.