Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Who was he? Why did he have magic?
Was he a danger to Shey?
Haru was determined to find the answers to these questions and kill the man if he was a threat.
“That’s the man I was hoping to show you,” Ruben grumbled beside Haru. “He struck me as the most promising during my last visit. Very strong, confident. We think he has some ability to control the weather, but he hasn’t said a single word to admit it. We know atmospheric conditions change at opportune times for him.”
“Much like this storm,” Haru drawled.
“Yes, very much.”
Haru cocked his head to the side as he watched the video clips play again. “What about that other man with him?”
“Pfft. Useless. He called himself Ty and claimed to be a fortune-teller. Traveled all around Damardor. Our people picked him up on a whim near Bellcairn. He should have been dead long ago, but always seemed to slip through the cracks. He was easily forgettable. I don’t even want to waste the manpower on him. It’s not like anyone would believe him if he reached civilization again.”
Haru said nothing. Ruben was a fool. He’d had his hands on someone very interesting and dangerous but overlooked him because he was small and unassuming. Shey exuded power in his bearing and personality. It had nothing to do with the magic flowing through him and everything to do with the fact that he was raised as royalty.
“Ruben, this has been interesting, but I will leave you to organize your disaster. Mitso and I will borrow one of your vehicles and a driver to take us to a hotel in Milway. I’m too tired to travel all the way back to Bellcairn today. You can reach me at my hotel in Bellcairn tomorrow if you need some advice on managing these affairs.”
“You’re leaving?” Ruben gasped. He spun to stare at Haru with his mouth hanging open and his hands held out to his sides.
“We’re leaving?” Adrian echoed with a different shock and horror.
Haru sighed extravagantly while clamping down on Adrian’s arm. “There is nothing I can do here. You need someone to clean up bodies and fix computers. I’m sure you know how to hire for that. I must find a restful place to think about how you can improve your operations. This is too loud and messy for clear thinking.”
Without another word, he turned and pulled Adrian with him as he walked out of the building into the fresh, humid air. The clouds were parting and hints of sunlight were breaking through, allowing them to see the extent of the damage to the building.
“We’re seriously leaving?” Adrian demanded between clenched teeth in a low voice.
“Mn,” Haru hummed in the affirmative. “We’ll return when Ruben and his people aren’t watching us.” They were so close this time. They would find Shey at last and take him home.
CHAPTER 23
Tyche
Alow groan trickled past Tyche’s parted lips, and he cracked his eyes open. The first thing that registered in his mind wasn’t the light stabbing his eyes, but the loud birdsong. How long had it been since he’d last heard the birds singing to him? He rubbed gritty eyes and pushed into a sitting position, dirt and rocks biting into his palm. Blinking, the world slowly came into focus. Gone were the white prison walls and gray bars. A green forest stretched out in front of him, while bright golden sunlight broke through the leaves to warm his face. Everything smelled green and fresh, washed clean by the summer rain.
He was free.
He was fucking free at last.
A broken sob lodged in his throat, and he rubbed at his stinging eyes again. He’d been in bad situations in the past and had always gotten out. While trapped in that hellhole, he’d been sure that he’d escape. But it had taken so long. What little hope he’d possessed had been worn to a tiny, angry nub.
“Good morning.”
Tyche’s head swung around and he stared at the man who’d made his escape possible.
“You’re still here.”
The words escaped him before he could get his brain working, but he couldn’t hide his surprise. He’d expected Shawn to leave him behind while he slept. There was no benefit in keeping Tyche at his side. He wasn’t a fighter and didn’t have any hidden skills that would enable them to get out of this forest faster. If anything, he was likely to slow Shawn down.
A grin broke across Shawn’s face, and he shook his head, looking as if he were laughing at Tyche.
Or should he call him Shey? That was what Yesuntei had called him. Not that it mattered all that much.
“You thought I’d leave you?”
Tyche shrugged one shoulder as he tried to push to his feet. Pain raced through all his limbs and back, sending him to his ass. They’d raced through the rain most of the day, the storm hounding their every step. Their goal had been to put as much distance between them and the facility full of armed guards. It was near sunset when the rain stopped and they stumbled across this cave. It wasn’t deep. Just enough to offer shelter from the rain if it started again and cover if the guards were searching for them through the night. But it also meant sleeping on the cold, hard, damp ground.