Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Osvaldo withdrew a pouch from his pocket and waved it through the air. “Done.”
Liar. Still, I navigated out of the field, faking a wince with each step, as if I’d been bitten. Just in case this plan failed, I didn’t want the rebels plunging into the flowers to grab my companions.
As soon as I cleared the poppies, Osvaldo shoved the pouch back into his pocket, grabbed my arm and jerked me against him, putting my back to his chest. He pressed a blade against my throat, and yes, he patted me down. “You know what, enforcer? I changed my mind. I’m not leaving until you’re dead.”
“Who could’ve guessed that totally unexpected development?” I searched the treeline for any sign of Nugget. Though I didn’t see him, I proceeded with part two of my plan, anyway. “Help!” I screamed.
As hoped, he sprang from the shadows, zooming toward me, and oh, wow, he’d doubled in size again. His eyes were fully red, the tusks at least twelve inches long. Fresh blood and other wet things coated his fur.
Patch popped to a stand and tossed the dagger a split second after the rebel unleashed his arrow. The rabdog dodged, and the missile sailed past him. The redhead’s aim proved true. Down tumbled the archer, a hilt protruding from his shoulder. Nugget dove through the air, landing on top of him. The man died screaming.
Tremors rushed through Osvaldo as the rabdog turned his attention on us and growled, sharp teeth bared. “M-make him stand down.”
“You’re on your own.” On purpose, I went limp. Unable to hold my weight as well as the knife, exactly as I’d hoped, Osvaldo released me in favor of extending the weapon toward the rabdog.
Nugget leaped, biting off the soldier’s hand while it still clutched the blade. He took the screaming soldier to the dirt and finished him off.
Nugget turned his sights on me. My eyes widened. His constricted to slits. He prowled closer.
No, no, no. I climbed to my feet and extended my arms. “G-good boy. I love you. Love doesn’t make you weak, it makes you strong. Good boy,” I repeated, trembling.
Lowering his snout and baring his teeth, he stepped into my personal space. We stared at each other. Maybe I should have looked away in surrender. I didn’t. I reached up, tentative, and grazed the wet fur on his brow.
His nostrils flared, and he stiffened.
“I love you.” Tears stung my eyes, blurring my vision. “I will always love you.”
Low, guttural noises rumbled from his chest. I didn’t stop stroking, and he didn’t strike. Seconds passed with agonizing slowness, my insides quaking.
“Always, always, always,” I whispered.
With a gut-wrenching cry, the rabdog spun and raced off.
I swallowed a cry of my own. He took a piece of my heart with him. But I couldn’t mourn. Not here. Jasher needed me, and he needed me now. I hurried to him, opening the pouch along the way. Two grains waited inside, and I whimpered with relief. Medicine! One for the executioner, and one for Daddy. This couldn’t have been more perfect.
Jasher had gone still and quiet. Don’t panic! I dropped a grain into his mouth and worked his throat with my fingers, forcing him to swallow.
“Wake up. Please!” If I’d gotten to him too late—
“Hi. Moriah?” Leona said, all kinds of fear dripping from her words. “I think the poppies heeded your command. Their petals are twitching.”
Time had run out. “Jasher!” I bellowed. “Wake up now!”
His eyelids popped open, and he jolted upright. Relief bombarded me, a forceful flood that swept me into his arms. We hugged, just for a moment. Just long enough to right my world.
Color returned to his skin, on the heels of concern. “We must go.”
Right. “Let’s move, people.” As fast as humanly possible, I helped Jasher to his feet.
He led the way out of the glen, with Leona on our heels, carrying the pack, and Patch directly behind her.
Jasher and I exited successfully! Leona, too. The redhead released an ear-piercing shriek as she cleared the edge of the field. Her knees buckled, and she toppled, writhing in pain as soon as she hit the ground. Multiple petals adhered to her bare calves.
Without hesitation, I swiped up the dagger Nugget had spit out and sliced the plants at their stems. The petals withered, falling away.
Jasher scrubbed a hand over his face. “This complicates matters. She can’t travel like this.”
I didn’t give myself a chance to think. There wasn’t time. No telling how many rebels were still out there, determined to finish what they’d started. I removed the final grain from the pouch and shoved it into Patch’s mouth. The girl ceased writhing.
“Now we’re even,” I told her. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 16
IMPERFECTLY PERFECT
We didn’t make it far before a freak storm rolled in, darkening the sky and pelting the land with rain and hail. It slowed us, but I wasn’t bothered. The rebels were slowed, too. My trepidation stemmed from another source.