Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

Ellery

Turning away from the guard, I kept my chin high and shoulders back as Tucker stopped before me. I contemplated releasing my bow as a muscle in his jaw twitched, and he glared at me.

He was furious, but being defensive against him wouldn't help me. Besides, no matter how mad he was at me, he wouldn't harm me.

Ryker may hate me now, and Tucker too, but neither of them would want to see me dead… I hoped. My fingers briefly tightened on my bow before I released it.

The last time I saw Tucker, things were far different between us. Then, he'd grinned at me and asked, "And you'll take care of him?"

I hadn't known how to respond, so I'd nodded. But I hadn't taken care of Ryker.

Ryker and Tucker shared a deep bond forged through suffering and desperation to survive the torment of the ophidians while so many of their friends perished. They were closer than friends, possibly closer than brothers, and while Tucker had liked me at first, he didn't now.

I didn't blame him, and I did understand, but I also didn't care. My mother's life was on the line; he could hate me, but he wouldn't stand in my way of saving her.

"You're not welcome here," Tucker stated.

"Is Ryker here?"

"No."

"Where is he?"

I didn't ask if Tucker knew where he was; I was certain he did.

"He's not here."

"Then where?"

Tucker crossed his arms over his chest and clamped his lips together. He didn't speak again as he stared at me.

He was finally the one to break the silence. "Don't come back here, Ellery."

"I'm not leaving until I talk to him."

He turned toward the guard. "Get her out of here. If she comes back, stick an arrow in her ass."

My hand fell to my dagger's handle when the guard approached me. "If you touch me, I'll cut off your hand. I'm not kidding."

The man hesitated before glancing at Tucker. These amsirah were displaced from their homes; they were angry and willing to kill for this small piece of security they'd found in the forest, but they were also farmers, merchants, and laborers who weren't used to fighting and especially not a woman.

"Don't make this harder than it has to be, Ellery," Tucker warned.

"Then tell me where he is."

"No. Now go."

When Tucker turned and started walking away, panic spurred me forward. The guard reached for me, but I shoved his hand away and unsheathed my dagger.

When I waved it at him, he backed away enough that I skirted past him and rushed after Tucker. Immortals turned to watch as I chased him; a few drew their weapons, but none came after me.

"Tucker, wait!" I gasped. "I have to speak to him."

"Go home, Ellery."

"No."

I caught up to him and, grabbing his arm, jerked him around. The look on his face was pure malice as his mouth twisted into a snarl.