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)
“I couldn’t sleep,” I tell her, shaping the last of the bread rolls and setting it on a pan to rise. “So I thought I’d help out. Are you caught up on the laundry?”
“I am, but it’s good that you’re awake. I intercepted a messenger as I was coming in.” She holds a scroll out to me. “I told them I’d pass it along.”
I peer at the name written on the binding. It says RAPTOR in shaky lettering. “I’ll wake him up. Should we notify Master Jay?”
“He actually just left.” She gestures at the back hall. “Got a summons and headed out.”
Figures. “Probably mad that all these horrible goings-on are cutting into his time alone with his widow woman. I’ll tell the others.”
She gives me a grateful smile, her expression turning slightly worried. “I hope the messages are nothing important.”
“Aye, I hope that, too.” At the rate we’re going, though, I don’t think that’s the case. I’m tempted to read the letter myself, but I’m tits-poor at reading, and it’s not my business anyhow. Is this more of Rooster’s thief hunt? Or something else?
When I enter the dormitory room, it’s quiet and dark. The room has no windows to let the light in, and there are no candles lit. I tiptoe over to the bed I share with Raptor and tap his arm.
He immediately hauls me down onto the bed and nuzzles my throat. His hand goes for my breast, and he makes a disappointed sound when his fingers skim over tight corset instead of loose tit. “Here I thought you were waking me up properly,” he whispers, nibbling on my throat. “Should I let you go or should I pretend that we’re alone?”
Oh gods, I would truly love to pretend for a while. I shake my head in the dark, though. “You’ve a letter.”
“By the bull god’s bollocks,” he mutters, but he gets up from bed.
I straighten my clothing as he dresses, and when he opens the doors to let light in, I move to his side.
I hold the scroll out, and he frowns at the seal on it as he takes it. “It’s not from Rooster.”
“No?” I don’t know if I feel relieved or worried to hear that. The guild leader hasn’t made a decision, then.
“No. I don’t recognize the writing.” He flicks the wax seal open and unrolls it, skimming the letter in the dim light of the hallway. Then he groans louder. “I should have known.”
“What is it?”
Raptor rolls the missive up again and shakes his head. “Rescue effort. All guild Taurians are needed. It doesn’t say what happened, but it can’t be good.”
“That’s unfortunate.” I’ve heard from Sparrow that the Taurians are called in constantly to help when a team needs a rescue in the tunnels. It happens often that someone gets lost, someone gets too hurt to continue, or a mining shaft collapses. “May I come with you? Like last time?”
Raptor pulls me close and kisses my forehead. “This time, no. I knew it wasn’t dangerous last time. This time, who knows. It could be a bad ratling infestation and they need more warriors. It wouldn’t be safe for you. Best that you stay here and wait for Rooster’s response.”
I make a face at that. “I know you’re right, but I hate it.”
“I do, too. I’m going to have to leave you in the care of Arrod and Kipp. You think that doesn’t bother me?” He cups my face in one big hand. “Because it does. It bothers me a lot. At least Master Jay is here.”
“Actually, he’s not. Marta said he was called away this morning. Kipp is skilled, though.”
“I have weapons that are bigger than Kipp is.”
“There’s also Arrod. He’s…well, he’s enthusiastic.” I grin up at him. “If that counts for anything.”
“Just take care of yourself. Don’t go anywhere with strangers. Don’t get separated from either one of them. Take the maid with you if you must go somewhere.”
“The maid has a name,” I chide him. “She’s a person. And just…be safe, yes?”
“You make it sound like there’s a delightful incentive to be safe.”
“Oh, there is. The best incentive.” I grin slyly up at him. “We find a nice, quiet room, lock the door behind us, and work on our team building.”
“Now you’re talking.” He tilts my face up and then stoops down. His muzzle brushes against my lips, and I find it achingly sweet that he goes out of his way to give me a kiss. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Let’s go wake up Arrod and Kipp and give them the good news.”
* * *
Rooster’s response comes in after lunch.
Because of course it does.
Raptor is gone, his gear pack strapped to his back, an extra weapon at his belt. He’d disappeared down the street, heading for the drop zone in the early-morning sunlight. I sit with Kipp and Arrod, picking at lunch as Marta cleans dishes at the sink. I don’t have any appetite, and I’m glad I haven’t eaten much, because the moment I see the missive, my gut clenches and a sour taste rises in my throat.