Snippets

Chapter 8

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Chapter 8

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(Logis POV)

I couldn't shake the ill feeling of being watched even the next morning. I hadn't slept a wink, but wanted to get to the shelter of the ruined city as soon as possible. At least there we could hide from whatever might be following.

The slow pace Shaf had set chafed me, and I glanced over at her.

She's so distracted, I thought to myself as I watched her stumble along the road, her head down, Curse this stupid no-talking rule, it's not like she hasn't told me practically everything anyway, and it's not like she will get me to say something I shouldn't. Top priority: getting her there safely. That's at stake, so may as well break the rules..? Not like I haven't already.

I cleared my throat, but that didn't seem to attract her attention. Shrugging inwardly, I jostled her shoulder, and though she didn't lift her head, she grunted recognition.

"Did you sleep okay last night?" I asked.

Her response was merely another grunt.

I sighed audibly, "Shaf, I'm an escort." I said slowly, "I'm here to protect you, to make sure we don't push too hard to get to our destination too fast, to make sure you're okay. Please. What can I help you with?"

"Oh, so suddenly you're the good guy, hmm?" She spat, still watching the shale beneath her feet.

I grunted, "I don't believe I've done anything to deserve being the bad guy. Come on, surely there's something I can help with."

"Oh yes," she agreed sarcastically, raising her eyes to meet mine. Her gaze burned, and if we weren't moving forward I might have taken a step back, "Because now that you're talking, that means I'm going to too. I think I've said enough already."

"Well you don't have to act like a pouty four-year-old." I replied, watching her through lowered lashes.

"I think I just might." She remained undeterred.

I smirked and retained my silence. If she didn't want to talk, that was fine. Force was always another option. I went to grab her wrist, but she suddenly ducked to the side, "How do you know Hawkins is dead?" she asked accusingly, halting her movement and crossing her arms over her modest chest.

It certainly wasn't what I had expected her to demand. Anyway, there wasn't much to say on his account, but I'd have to tread carefully.

"Before I answer that," I started, "let's make an agreement."

That suspicious eyebrow answered me, and I couldn't help but chuckle, "Come now, it can't harm you any more than you've already been harmed, and you don't have to agree."

She nodded her assent, and I went on.

"If I tell you, you have to walk faster. I mean a lot faster. We have to reach that city before noon." I raised my eyebrows to match her own, and waited for her decision.

Her face instantly relaxed and she smirked, nodding, "Deal," she agreed, and I immediately found that the pace had resumed and increased, though her eyes bored into me, waiting for her answer.

I sighed softly, thinking over what to say before I said it. Really, it was simple: "I don't."

The sound of our feet rapidly setting an even beat against the shale-turned dirt as we entered the foothills of the mountains was the only sound that met my words.