Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 540(@250wpm)___ 450(@300wpm)
Master Jay rushes forward, having arrived on the scene after being alerted by the enforcers. A look of horror is on his face as he drops to his knees next to Hemmen’s corpse. “My—my student. What happened?”
Jay looks up at me, and I don’t have answers for him. I look over at Arrod instead. They’ve been questioned by the enforcers already, with no leads.
Arrod takes a deep breath and shakes his head. “We were drinking. Hemmen said he was meeting a friend to exchange books. He was nervous about it. Kept slicking his hair back, you know? Like he does.”
Is that something he does? I had no idea. I haven’t paid enough attention to Hemmen. I’ve been too obsessed with Gwenna.
Arrod crosses his arms tightly over his chest and continues. “He got up while me and Kipp were drinking and said his friend had arrived, and he was going to meet him in the alley. Went out front, and me and Kipp finished his beer. We figured that’s what he deserved for leaving it unattended.” His mouth crumples a bit and then he goes on. “It wasn’t until someone started screaming that we realized what had happened. They found Hemmen outside, and his throat…”
He trails off, then shakes his head and walks away. Kipp moves to his side, patting his pant leg to comfort him.
“We’ll need to ask you some questions, Master Jay,” the enforcer says in a polite tone. “I’m sorry about the timing, but it’s important.”
Jay’s expression is hollow, but he nods. I feel bad for the man. He has no idea of the shit that’s been going down—Rooster wants to keep it as hushed as possible—and now a fledgling is dead. His grief is obvious, and even though I don’t always agree with his teaching methods, it’s clear that he feels responsible. Rooster needs to tell him what’s going on. It’s not fair for Jay to blame himself. Whatever happened with Hemmen, he was involved with the smuggling ring, and now he’s paying the price.
Jay looks over at Gwenna, and then at me. “Will you take Gwenna out of here? I don’t think murder is good for a young lady’s sensibilities.”
I want to point out that Jay is training that “young lady” and making her sleep in the same room as four men, that she can drink and belch with the rest of us and knows more dirty jokes than Arrod.
I want to point out that Gwenna already knows Hemmen’s been murdered and might be in on it. I want to point out that the last thing we should be worried about is a “lady’s sensibilities” when people are dying and the guild is being robbed.
But I want answers from Gwenna first. So I just agree and turn toward her. She seems dazed, her expression unfocused. The thin blanket wrapped around her figure covers the immodesty of her dress. “Come on, Gwenna. Let’s get you out of here.”
She comes along quietly, and because she seems just as upset as any of us, I put a hand on her neck as I steer her through the streets and back toward our quarters at the heart of the city. Her steps are brisk enough, but I can feel the trembling in her body. She’s shaken, perhaps at the thought of getting caught.
She still smells like sex, too. It’s making the possessive, rutting-bull side of me go wild. I want to fling her down on my bed and take her again, but I’m not going to let myself get distracted by doe eyes and pretty tits.
I hold my questioning until we get back to the nest, because I don’t know who might be listening in. The streets of Vastwarren City are never empty, and gossip spreads like wildfire.
As we step inside the nest, there’s the clink of dishes from the kitchen. Gwenna heads there and I let her, releasing my grip on her neck.
“Oh,” the woman at the hearth cries, jumping with fright as we enter. Her eyes are red with tears, and she dabs at them. “I’ve just heard the worst—is it true?”
“I’m afraid so, Marta. Gossip travels faster than we do, it seems.” Gwenna’s tone is soft and sad. She moves to the other woman’s side and gives her a hug.
Marta is startled by the embrace, but quickly puts her arms around Gwenna in return. “I was just making some soup. I thought I’d stay busy….” She pulls away and dabs at her eyes with the corner of her apron. “I was going to make pork stew because that’s Hemmen’s favorite, but I guess I don’t need to now….”
She starts weeping again.
“Hush,” Gwenna tells her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t you get your things and head out for the day? We can fend for ourselves. I don’t think anyone’s in the mood to eat tonight anyhow.”