Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Sky watched him fist his hands as he walked, the muscles in his bare arms growing taut, and she did not want to think about what he intended to do to the man who, no doubt, had all intention of taking her life.
“I have met many fools in my life, but I believe you are the most foolish one I have ever met,” Slayer said, coming to a stop in front of the sizeable man whom two warriors held tight. His jaw was swollen and already bruising but Slayer couldn’t care less what the man suffered. “Do you really think you could rush into my camp, kill the woman, and escape to collect the coins?”
The man shrugged. “Coins don’t matter to me, only her death matters.”
“You care nothing for the coins?” Slayer asked, troubled by his remark.
“The only thing I care about is to see her dead,” the man said and spit on the ground as he laid eyes on Sky.
His words infuriated Slayer and he wanted to kill him there and then, but he needed answers first. “Why? Why do you want her dead?”
“I will tell you nothing, so kill me and be done with it. It is a fate I deserve for failing my mission and dying without honor.” The man snarled. “She deserves to die.”
Slayer landed a blow on the man’s jaw that would have knocked him off his feet if his warriors hadn’t been holding him.
The man laughed, blood dripping from his mouth. “Do what you will to me, I will not give you a shred of information. I am as loyal to him as your men are to you and I would suffer the torments of hell before betraying him. So do what you will.”
That he almost challenged Slayer to torture him gave Slayer reason to pause. He could be trying to gain time for more men to join him. He could not take the chance, not knowing how many men might follow him.
“Your reputation is well-known and well-respected. I would have enjoyed fighting you. At least then I could die with honor.”
Another delay tactic. He had to move fast. “I would give you such a chance, but you intended to kill the woman I protect and for that you can die without honor.”
Slayer moved so fast that the man’s eyes bulged with shock when he grabbed his hair on the top of his head, yanked his head back, and slit his throat.
The two warriors released the man after Slayer wiped the blood from his dagger on the man’s shoulder. They let him drop to the ground as his life spilled out of him.
“Take his weapons and make haste. We leave here now,” Slayer ordered, then pointed at two other warriors. “Go find out if anyone follows him and find out how he reached the camp without being noticed.”
While his men saw to the task, Sky watched as Slayer approached her. He slid his dagger back into the sheath at his waist while the muscles in his arms remained taut. The death of the man had not diminished his anger.
“Are you in pain?” he asked, crouching down in front of her.
“I don’t feel anything right now,” she said, thinking it odd, then realizing she did feel something. She felt numb and that frightened her. She had witnessed a horrible sight and all she felt was numb. Was she as unkind as Slayer himself claimed to be, not feeling any sorrow for what she had just seen? Or was she simply too shocked to feel anything?
“I fear that numbness you are feeling might not last once we are on our way. You will tell me if you are in any pain as we travel,” Slayer said.
“How long before we reach our destination?” she asked, praying it was soon.
“Two days at the least.”
She cringed inwardly, fearful of causing her nose to bleed more. She did not want him to be aware of her worries, so she kept her voice light. “I will do fine.”
She did not do fine. After riding for a while, not only did her nose hurt, but her head did as well. She was left with no choice but to rest her head on his shoulder, the pain of holding it erect too much for her. She tried not to tense when a wave of pain washed over her, knowing he would feel it. But it was senseless, and she gave into it. Besides, it would not matter to him.
Slayer steeled himself against the pain he knew she suffered, or at least he thought he did. His anger sparked every time he felt her tense in pain. He thought to stop and let her rest, but a short reprieve would do her little good. It was better they kept a good pace so once they stopped, she could rest for the night. He would, however, stop earlier than planned, so she would have longer to rest.