Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Something was wrong.
She reached out instinctively, expecting to brush against Knox’s solid form beside her.
Nothing.
Frowning, she sat up, scanning the camp. The mare was still tethered, ears flicking, but Knox was nowhere in sight. Had he gone off to relieve himself? Had he heard something and went to investigate? He hadn’t deserted her, or his mare would be gone. So, where was he?
Dru pulled her cloak tighter around her, listening. The forest was quiet—too quiet.
She was vulnerable sitting here in front of the fire, an easy target. When on her own she always found a place to sleep that was tucked away from the elements, where no one could spot her.
Her head swerved to the side. Had she heard something? It came again.
A twig snapped.
She froze.
Slowly, she turned her head, heart hammering in her chest as she scanned the darkness beyond the dying fire’s glow. A shadow moved, stepping out from the trees, his heavy boots crunching against the fallen leaves.
A man.
He was tall, thickly built, and with a sword strapped to his back, daggers sheathed at his waist, and another tucked in his boot. His face was partially hidden by the hood of his cloak, but his sneer was clear enough.
“Well, well,” he said, sounding pleased with himself. “Looks like I found myself a bit of company.”
Dru stayed seated, keeping her posture relaxed, though every muscle in her body tensed. She needed to think, not panic. “You must be lost.”
The man chuckled, his amusement thick and unsettling. “Oh, I know exactly where I am. And I know exactly who you are.”
Dru arched a brow, fighting the fear that rose inside her, knowing it would do her no good to surrender to it. She needed her wits about her now.
“Do you now?” she asked, her voice light, unconcerned.
“Aye.” His head tilted as he studied her. “You’re the little fox who’s been sniffing around for Autumn.” He sneered. “That’s a dangerous game, lass.”
Dru clapped her hands together with feigned delight. “Oh, I do love a good game,” she said, her voice carrying, hoping that wherever Knox had gone, he’d hear her.
His sneer deepened and he let out a low chuckle. “Then you’ll enjoy this one. Tell me what you know, and maybe I won’t have to hurt you.”
“Take one step toward her and I’ll kill you, Rankin.”
Dru was never so relieved to hear Knox’s voice, though she had yet to spot him, and she was more surprised that he knew the man. Which meant Rankin was a mercenary.
Rankin’s head snapped up scanning the darkness. “You know the rule, Knox—first to find, first to keep.”
Knox emerged from the dark woods, the firelight catching the sharp lines of his face. His expression was unreadable, but there was a deadly calm about him.
“Aye,” Knox agreed. “So, why lie to me?”
He strode toward Dru, stopping beside her, his eyes never leaving Rankin.
Rankin hesitated, his confidence slipping. “I’m not lying?”
Knox arched a brow. “Then you’ve gone blind or deaf since I last saw you?” He flicked Dru a quick look—a silent command. Stay put.
She had no issue with that. Knox could handle this.
“What are you saying?” Rankin asked warily.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t see my horse. Or hear her,” Knox accused.
Rankin’s gaze darted around, searching.
“For a mercenary, you’re an idiot,” Dru said unable to hold her tongue after Rankin failed to spot the mare.
Rankin’s mouth curled into a snarl, but before he could retort, Knox cut in.
“You forget one of Phelan’s many rules,” Knox said. “Never let your manhood dictate your brain.”
Rankin mumbled beneath his breath.
“How do you know the woman’s been asking about Autumn and why does it matter to you?” Knox demanded.
“Freedom,” Rankin said. “I want to be free from Phelan. Not all of us could walk away from him like you did, fighting with whatever mercenary group you choose. Finding this Autumn woman might give me that chance.”
Knox shook his head. “You’re lying again, Rankin. Lie again and I’ll gut you.”
Rankin sneered. “You can try.”
Knox didn’t flinch. His voice remained deathly calm. “Do you really want to take that chance? We both know I’m more skilled than you. You don’t have a chance against me. But if you’re eager to die tonight, I’ll oblige you.”
Dru shivered at the cold certainty in his words—and from the look in Rankin’s eyes, he did too.
Knox took a step closer, his stance relaxed, but every inch of him radiated menace. “Now, I’ll have the truth, and this is the last time I’ll ask.”
Rankin swallowed hard and rushed to answer. “A bounty has been offered for Autumn—”
Knox’s expression remained impassive. “Lord Torrance rescinded his bounty on her when he hired me, concerned that Autumn could be harmed and be of no benefit to him. Besides, everyone had already failed to find her.”
“It isn’t Lord Torrance who offers the bounty,” Rankin said.