Highlander Enchanted(94)

I crossed my arms, irked that even the guy they were paying to take Herakles’ place was judging me. Before I could say anything, Father Ellis rested his hand on my forearm.

“Lyssa is humanity’s most precious member.” Father Ellis had stiffened.

“Coming from a priest who doesn’t believe in violence, that doesn’t mean much.” Niko flashed a quick smile, though his cold eyes were never still. “At least she’s tough and can run. I had expected someone more … delicate.”

What was worse? Being called a kid who couldn’t run or fight or being considered unladylike? Niko wasn’t winning any points with me. I wasn’t a nymph, but I had outraced him.

“Can you really fight?” Niko asked me.

“I can,” I proclaimed. “I can climb, camp, hunt, run, fight … I can do everything.”

“She had a very motivated guardian,” Father Ellis said with some disapproval. “Neglected her studies. But, she can run.”

What was wrong with these people? Judging me for being prepared for the situation they knew was coming? “Whatever. Let’s go.” I shifted my pack.

“Go where?” Niko asked, gaze once more on Father Ellis.

“To wherever you’re taking us,” I replied.

“My contract was for stationary service in a place with three squares and a real bed.”

I pointed towards the school. “That place was blown up.”

“We have a situation,” Father Ellis said simultaneously.

Niko planted his hands on his hips.

Seeing the priest squirm under his glare made me very happy after my day. “Are you going to tell him about the ground forces coming?” I prompted innocently.

“Quiet, Lyssa.” Father Ellis turned towards the school and began walking. “Come with me. Both of you.”

I went, mainly because I had nowhere else to go and a little because I wanted to see Niko and Father Cristopolos in an argument.

“I’m not going anywhere until the contract is defined,” Niko stated.

“If you wish to be paid, you will come with me,” Father Ellis replied.

I looked over my shoulder as I walked, waiting to see what the mercenary would end up doing. He was watching us unhappily. Finally, he started forward, tense and bristling, eyeing the forest with wariness I didn’t share. His long strides closed the distance to Father Ellis and me, and he stepped onto the deer path we walked on.

“Can you really hunt?” he asked me.

“I can.”

“Good. At least you’ll be useful if your priests try to pull one over on me.”

I glanced at him, not liking the sound of that.

“I will take you whether they pay me or not. There’s an underground market for someone like you.”

“Niko, do not scare her,” Father Ellis said. “You will be paid above and beyond what we promised.”

“What do you mean, someone like me?” I asked in confusion. “If I am what they think I am, there’s only one of someone like me … of me … of whatever you think I am.”

“You’re an initiate, aren’t you?” Niko asked.

“Do I look like an initiate?” I retorted.

“Lyssa, hush!” Father Ellis shot me a look. “Let us deal with him.” He stepped from the forest onto the greens. “Father Cristopolos!” he cried. The head priest and Father Renoir stood with a pile of items that had been salvaged from the building.

I started to follow, but all four turned to yell, “Stay in the forest!”

“Oh, my gods!” I groaned and jerked back to make sure I remained where they told me.

Niko appeared amused then hardened as he stepped past the red rope onto the greens. He paused several steps away and turned to face me.

“Who or what do they think you are?” he asked, leveling dark eyes on me.

I fell speechless, uncertain what to do. It kind of felt like everyone was lying to everyone else. Niko claimed to be a gladiator but was really a mercenary, and the priests told him I was an initiate.

“Hmmm.” Niko studied me. He seemed to find answers where I didn’t mean to give them. “I’m guessing you’re worth much more than they offered. Better hope they’re willing to pay to keep me from kidnapping and selling you.”

I almost laughed but realized he was serious.

He winked and walked away.

I began to regret not sending him off in some random direction when we met. The fact he was doing this for the money that made me feel a little dirty. Or tainted. Or at least, capable of understanding why the priests looked down upon shady men like him.

Watching them speak, I waited for someone to yell or give some sign it wasn’t going well. The distant sound of thunder reached me. The sky was clear, aside from puffs of smoke left over from the school burning.

Weird. Thunder and no clouds. The earth trembled. I waited for it to pass like it might in an earthquake, but it didn’t. The tremor remained constant and the thunder loudened.

With the four of them busy talking, I dropped my pack and scaled a tree quickly. I reached the top and poked my head up above the canopy, expecting to see what I normally did: kilometers of woods followed by a break where the road was and more forestry on the other side of the break.

Trees were being knocked to the ground and flattened by machines I wasn’t able to see from this vantage point. It had started near the road and was moving towards us, downing whole swaths of trees for a kilometer stretch.