Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 152666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 763(@200wpm)___ 611(@250wpm)___ 509(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 763(@200wpm)___ 611(@250wpm)___ 509(@300wpm)
Besides, where would I go? This encampment couldn’t be in our territory. Granny’s people would’ve found it when heading to and from their sentry positions. Given the few times I’d been Outside in the last handful of years, I wouldn’t even know which direction to go for help. Assuming anyone would help me at all.
No, I’d need to be patient. They had to move me to their home base. There’d be a time along the way for me to get free; I just had to be ready when it came.
“Then there’s the problem of no dragons. Can you believe I even said that? But it’s true. I am bored to fucking tears, like I told you.” He chatted along merrily as though he hadn’t had someone to talk to in ages. “Dragons are insane and are prone to extreme violence for no reason, but at least they give you something to look out for. They’re unpredictable. This lot—“ He jerked his head right and then followed it with a glance, indicating where the others had gone. Probably to my village.
A momentary pang hit me. Like with that fire those fifteen years ago, I would lose everything. I doubted very much that they’d allow me to go collect my things before moving me. I’d have to find my way back, someday. I didn’t have much, but the few things I did have were precious to me.
Thankfully, the pain that should’ve overwhelmed me continued to be held at bay. It would consume me, if not in this headspace. I reminded myself there would be time to cry after I got to safety.
“They’re all very . . .” He made a hand gesture, down in a line in front of him and then out to the side. I didn’t know what it meant. “The alpha chose the best and the brightest. Do you know what that is code for? Boring and uninspired. They have no fucking sense of humor. Dick jokes? Lost on them. How is that even possible?” He widened his eyes at me. “A bunch of them have dicks!” He shook his head, clearly at a loss. “It’s a fucking shame. They follow the alpha’s command to the absolute letter. No stubbornness that the king and queen have to beat down, no veering out of their formation . . .” He slouched. “I’m the odd one out, can you believe that?”
I didn’t give him a reaction, but yes, I definitely could believe it.
I was still trying to process everything when it dawned on me: they’d clearly gone through the village and found the supply. Of course they would have. It was a free gold earner.
“You’ve sampled the product.” My tone was flat.
His eyes brightened with curiosity. He opened his mouth to speak, but then backed off and lifted a hand. “Let’s just get the formalities out of the way, shall we? I’ve seen the towns where your product has run wild. I do think your operation is filthy and you’re hurting a lot of people. You have a lot to answer for. Officially, I am a strong thumbs down to you and your operation.” He took a deep breath, a smile flirting with his lips. “With that said, and given it is the dragon royalty’s problem and not mine, I will say . . . I’m so fucking curious. Seriously.”
He dropped his ankle from atop his knee and set both feet on the floor to lean forward to scrutinize my carefully expressionless face. The spear went a little askew.
He hefted it. “Do I need this?”
I didn’t respond.
He studied me for a long moment. I couldn’t tell from his expression what he was thinking. He nodded. “You’re playing at calm—very clever. You don’t fool me, though. I was drunk off my ass when I first met Finley, but I remember the wild look in her eyes. Very similar to you. You’re dangerous, even with your hands tied. Don’t pretend that you aren’t.”
Staying numb to the situation was not easy. It was like this man was battering me with his crazy. He permeated even my most unaffected, unemotional, and unfeeling state. I could probably get a limb hacked off right now and not feel it, but this guy? It was like he was burrowing into my mind and scrambling everything until I couldn’t help but come to the surface to get some air.
“Anyway, that product you speak of . . .” He smoothed his little mustache, curled at the corners. “I am so curious about it. I’m going to be honest, I’d sample the shit out of it. I mean, I was a hair’s breadth away from being killed by the curse. If it wasn’t the demons, it was people trying to trick me into killing myself by talking about it. I made it though, didn’t I? Mediocrity for the fucking win! I’m sure I can navigate a few recreational drugs. It would give me something new to do in my spare time. Besides, if I had a little save me elixir on hand, it would be fine. The addiction would be an issue, but Finley—the dragon queen—concocted something that greatly helps. I could work my way out of it, I know I could.”