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)
Rooster waves us out, and Raptor all but drags me through the door. “Let’s go before he changes his mind,” he murmurs.
“Do you think he will?”
“No, because he likes coin far too much, and he sees a lot of coin when he looks at you. But I’m also not keen to press our luck.” His hand slides to the small of my back, and he guides me out of the main guild hall.
Smythe walks at our side, silent. Once we’re outside, he turns to me and gives me a polite nod. “Perhaps this is inappropriate, but…thank you for saving my men. I feared yesterday would go a very different way.”
My heart warms. To think that someone’s grateful that I can talk to the dead. It’s so strange. “I appreciate you keeping my secret.”
His brows go up. “What secret? I don’t know anything.”
Before I can get flustered, he gives me an obvious wink and turns and walks away.
Raptor pulls me a little closer. “You look tired. Shall we—”
“Gwenna!”
I turn to see Sparrow racing toward me, her archivist robes flapping around her legs as she runs to my side. She flings her arms around me and holds me tight, rocking back and forth. “I’m so glad! I’ve been so worried!”
Should I laugh? Should I cry? I want to do both. It’s terrifying to hear how so many people were also worried about me, but at the same time, I’m safe now, I think.
“We’re not done yet,” I tell her, hugging her back. I’ve never been much of a hugger, but since Sparrow loves them, and I adore her, I guess I have no choice. I let her hug it out, patting her shoulder awkwardly until she gives a happy little sigh and releases me. “There’s still more to do. I need to show them the tunnel, and the rest of the thieves are to be rounded up. I should probably consult with Hemmen again before they bury him, to see if he has more names—”
She shakes her head. “You need to go home and rest. That’s what you need.”
“I’ve been saying that as well,” Raptor calls out from nearby, amused. “Gwenna’s not a very good listener.”
“Piss off,” I tell him affectionately. “My friend needed a hug.”
“When do I get mine?” he replies.
“Later. In private.” And I give him a suggestive wink. Gods, I’m feeling better by the moment. Well, as long as I don’t touch my wrist, or any of my bruises, or think about how mucking tired I am.
Raptor just grins at me, his smile wide. “You might want to take your innocent little wife home, Hawk,” he drawls, striding toward me. “Or she’s going to see me do some absolutely filthy things to my mate.”
Sparrow lets out an alarmed squeak and releases me as if I’m on fire. “We’ll catch up tomorrow! Come and visit if you can find the time! I’ll be at the archives!”
She races away, waving a hand, and moves to Hawk’s side. Amused, Hawk just shakes his head and puts an arm around his wife before leading her away.
Hands on hips, I eye Raptor. “ ‘Absolutely filthy things,’ eh? Out in public? You shameless Taurian.”
“It was a lie,” he drawls, pulling me to his side and then heading down the street once more. “If Sparrow started talking, we’d never get away. It made them run, didn’t it? And besides, I’m far too wounded to handle much touching tonight. I think the ratlings bit off every bit of skin on my lower body.”
I cluck my tongue, letting him loop his arm over my shoulders. It’s good to be snuggled up against his side. It feels like it’s where I was meant to be. “They have good taste, those ratlings. I guess I’ll have to wait for you to heal before it’s my turn to bite every bit of skin below your waist.”
“Well, when you put it that way, I wouldn’t mind a bit more biting in certain…locations.”
“Of course you wouldn’t.” I snort with amusement, and then the reality of what we’ve just gone through hits me. It takes everything I have not to sag against him, to keep putting one foot in front of the other. “Is this really over? Am I truly safe?”
“Rooster’s not one to pass up an opportunity, sweetheart. You showed him firsthand how valuable you can be to the guild. Does it mean staying quiet about your ability? Yes. But think of all the good you can do. Think of all the treasure you can find. I know Rooster’s thinking of both.” He chuckles and squeezes me against him. “I’m just so mucking proud of you.”
“You are?” My voice catches. I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me. Not even Ma.
Raptor looks around, and then grabs my hand, sprinting toward the nearest alley. Surprised, I trot alongside him, and when we get into the shadows, he pulls me up against the nearest wall, my feet dangling, and presses his muzzle to my mouth in a tentative kiss.