The Silver Siren (Iron Butterfly, #3)(25)

When Alba spoke those words, Faraway started and took off up the path that led to the caves, trying to put some distance between him and the woman who had just brought the truth to light. The truth that Faraway had clearly been avoiding.

I pulled on the reigns but he ignored me and started to trot. Feeling guilty at my sudden departure, I looked over my shoulder to where Alba was standing, but she was gone.

We were already on our way out of the Sanctuary, and I wanted to ask Alba more questions, but it seemed like Faraway didn’t want me to know anything else.

Why didn’t you tell me? I spoke directly to Faraway accusingly.

Anything I would have told you would only upset you or worry you unnecessarily.

Of course I’m upset. You are going to leave me. My heart felt burdened with the thought of not having him near me. You can’t leave me.

Not yet, he answered. Until the time when I must fulfill my destiny, I will always be yours.

Promise.

Yes. Now let’s go back and find the others. I’m in the mood for a cookie.





Chapter 12



Faraway and I traveled quickly and all through the night. By the next day I was tired of traveling and grateful when I saw a small town come into view. Even coming at it from a different direction, I recognized it. I couldn’t remember the name of the town, but when I passed the small inn, I couldn’t help but recognize the two-story Ginger Dragon Inn. Knowing Joss and Darren, they would have stopped here on their way to Haven. I was exhausted and would pay the extra money to stay the night and get a good night’s rest. Faraway headed around back and to the stables. Three other horses were already there.

The same young boy from a year ago came and took Faraway into an empty stall and started to brush him down. He was taller and leaner, but I recognized the innkeeper Bran’s oldest son.

“Lad, do you happen to know if Darren and Joss came through here?”

Suspicious green eyes looked me over. “Maybe.”

I reached into my coin purse, pulled out a copper, and flipped it toward him. His hand snatched it midair.

“They came by to purchase food and speak to Mum and Pop, but they didn’t stay the night.” He walked over to the side of the stable and put two scoops of feed into a bucket and carried it back into Faraway’s stall.

“When was this? How many nights ago?” The boy refused to answer.

I sighed loudly. Opening my pouch again, I pulled out another copper, but he held up two fingers. I pulled out two coins which quickly disappeared into his pocket.

“They came by five days ago. Bought enough bread to feed an army. My sister cried when they refused to stay. She likes him, ya know. She’s been in a fit ever since, thinking he doesn’t like her.” The words flew out of the boy’s mouth in one breath. His eyes kept flickering to the front of the stable nervously the whole time he talked. As if he were waiting for something or someone. He finally stopped and looked at me carefully. “Hey, I remember you. You were here last time, with them. You were awfully scrawny and dirty. I thought you were a boy, until mum said otherwise.”

My cheeks grew warm in embarrassment.

Want me to knock him over? Faraway asked.

No, it’s fine. He’s right. I probably did look terrible the last time I came. I had just escaped out of the prison then. Besides, he’s just a boy.

With no manners. He snuffed and threw his head back, startling the young stable boy who promptly fell on his rump.

Stop! Don’t do anything. I’ll be fine. I heard Faraway nicker in laughter as I headed to the inn’s entrance. My goal was to get in, get a meal and a room, and do it without a fuss. I didn’t really want it advertised that I was traveling alone.

As soon as I entered the inn, moppy brown-haired Bran was there to greet me once again.

“Hello, welcome to the Ginger Dragon, are you here for the fare, or a fair sleep? We serve both.” He flashed me a toothy grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back at his odd sense of humor.

My eyes wandered the room, and I immediately saw the beautiful Vienna serving a meal to a full table of people sitting at a corner table. Her hands flew as she talked, and I could hear her giggle all the way to the front of the room.

“Both please,” I answered Bran softly. Trying not to draw attention to myself. “Food first, then a room.”

Bran went over to a register book and opened it up. He pulled out a quill and began to write in the day’s date. I was about to hand over my money when I heard my name from across the room. There was no mistaking the warm tone of Joss’s voice.

My head snapped up faster than lightening as I zeroed in on him. He was sitting in the back of the room at the table, talking to Vienna. The inn door opened with the jingle of a bell, and the floor rumbled as someone large dropped a very heavy item to the floor.

Bran’s mouth opening in a silent oh was the only warning I had before I was scooped up from behind and wrapped in a very furry leather-bound bear hug from Hemi.

“Ahh, I’ve found you Li’l Wolf. Now I can keep my head and my home!” Hemi’s deep voice boomed throughout the inn.

“He-He-Hemi, put me down!” I squealed out in delight, my feet dangling in the air.

“Not until I see that you are all right. That you have all yer fingers and toes,” he challenged back.

I was allowed back to the ground, and Hemi placed his large hands on my shoulders, studying me, head to toe. His serious eyes missed nothing—the scrapes, bruises, and cracked lip that had mostly healed from my fight with Gwen in the pits. His hands reached for my face, but I gently knocked them away.