Read Online Kiss of the Betrayer (A Bringer and the Bane Novel) by Boone Brux - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Boone Brux
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feet to flee into the shadows.
Unable to stem his fury, Luc blasted anything that moved, sending fire into the dark recesses of the forest. Flames erupted around them. The thieves scattered, leaving the whore, who still cowered on the ground.
The uncontrollable lust for destruction roared through him. He searched the clearing for his enemies but saw no one. His gaze fell on Jade, the need for conquest instantly bleeding out of him. He knelt, forgetting the thieves and growing flames. Shivers racked her body.
“Don’t worry, Jade.” He smoothed her hair from her face. She looked ghostly white in the fiery glow. He glanced at the spreading fire. “It’s going to be all right.”
She mouthed something he couldn’t hear and reached a trembling hand toward the arrow. Not wanting her to tear open the wound, Luc stayed her hand.
With as much care as his panic would allow, he scooped her into his arms, making sure not to bump the protruding shaft. The whore stumbled to her feet, clutching her arm, and approached them. Fear flared on her face—whether from him or the growing fire, he couldn’t be sure.
“The fire spreads,” she said.
Smoke billowed around them, thickening the air. Jade coughed and cried out. Luke laid her on the ground again and gripped the bottom of her tunic. He yanked, tearing a wide strip of material, and tied it loosely over her mouth and nose. Following his lead, the whore reached for the bottom of her skirt and did the same.
He glanced around, looking for some familiar marking to guide him out. Nothing was recognizable. Flames licked the surrounding trees. Best to head the direction the thieves fled. He lifted Jade again and looked at the whore. “Follow me.”
The woman nodded and fell into step behind them. If she remained calm and obeyed him, she’d survive to see her children. Heat seared his skin as the underbrush caught fire and swept across the ground like spilled wine. He hoisted Jade higher and breathed into the crook of his arm, the smoke nearly choking him. In an effort to stay ahead of the flames, he wove his way around the twisted trees and gnarled brambles.
He stopped and looked around. “Damn it.”
Though these woods were not unknown to him, the fire distorted their path. Loud pops echoed through the treetops.
“These flames are spreading faster than gossip travels through court.” The woman’s voice was steady despite the growing danger. She stepped around him and veered to the left of their previous direction. “There’s a dirt path not too far ahead.”
Luc followed, surprised by her calm demeanor and quick pace. Blood spread across Jade’s tunic. Each breath rattled in her chest. He had to get her to the boat. Ravyn could help her. Ravyn had to help her.
Within minutes they stepped onto a narrow trail. A blaze of orange illuminated the treetops, turning each leaf into a small light. The footpath glowed for several yards before plunging into darkness. Obviously familiar with the forest, the whore guided them out into the cool, black night.
The crackle of the now-raging forest fire sounded behind them. Luc didn’t have time to worry about the destruction he’d caused. His Shield instincts to protect and save replaced his anger and guilt about his and Jade’s current situation. She needed help. Town was far enough away to not be in danger from the blaze, but some of the closer huts might suffer.
The three traveled in silence. The whore ran from hut to hut, beating on each of the doors and giving warning. Luc didn’t stop, pushing forward to get Jade to the ship. Each time the woman caught up with them and took the lead.
She led him through sections of town Luc had never been in before. The strong smell of the sea sent waves of relief through him and signaled they were close to the docks. Despite his urging, the whore wouldn’t leave, following him onto Rhys’s ship. He’d deal with her after he took care of Jade.
“Ravyn?” Luc’s voice billowed
Unable to stem his fury, Luc blasted anything that moved, sending fire into the dark recesses of the forest. Flames erupted around them. The thieves scattered, leaving the whore, who still cowered on the ground.
The uncontrollable lust for destruction roared through him. He searched the clearing for his enemies but saw no one. His gaze fell on Jade, the need for conquest instantly bleeding out of him. He knelt, forgetting the thieves and growing flames. Shivers racked her body.
“Don’t worry, Jade.” He smoothed her hair from her face. She looked ghostly white in the fiery glow. He glanced at the spreading fire. “It’s going to be all right.”
She mouthed something he couldn’t hear and reached a trembling hand toward the arrow. Not wanting her to tear open the wound, Luc stayed her hand.
With as much care as his panic would allow, he scooped her into his arms, making sure not to bump the protruding shaft. The whore stumbled to her feet, clutching her arm, and approached them. Fear flared on her face—whether from him or the growing fire, he couldn’t be sure.
“The fire spreads,” she said.
Smoke billowed around them, thickening the air. Jade coughed and cried out. Luke laid her on the ground again and gripped the bottom of her tunic. He yanked, tearing a wide strip of material, and tied it loosely over her mouth and nose. Following his lead, the whore reached for the bottom of her skirt and did the same.
He glanced around, looking for some familiar marking to guide him out. Nothing was recognizable. Flames licked the surrounding trees. Best to head the direction the thieves fled. He lifted Jade again and looked at the whore. “Follow me.”
The woman nodded and fell into step behind them. If she remained calm and obeyed him, she’d survive to see her children. Heat seared his skin as the underbrush caught fire and swept across the ground like spilled wine. He hoisted Jade higher and breathed into the crook of his arm, the smoke nearly choking him. In an effort to stay ahead of the flames, he wove his way around the twisted trees and gnarled brambles.
He stopped and looked around. “Damn it.”
Though these woods were not unknown to him, the fire distorted their path. Loud pops echoed through the treetops.
“These flames are spreading faster than gossip travels through court.” The woman’s voice was steady despite the growing danger. She stepped around him and veered to the left of their previous direction. “There’s a dirt path not too far ahead.”
Luc followed, surprised by her calm demeanor and quick pace. Blood spread across Jade’s tunic. Each breath rattled in her chest. He had to get her to the boat. Ravyn could help her. Ravyn had to help her.
Within minutes they stepped onto a narrow trail. A blaze of orange illuminated the treetops, turning each leaf into a small light. The footpath glowed for several yards before plunging into darkness. Obviously familiar with the forest, the whore guided them out into the cool, black night.
The crackle of the now-raging forest fire sounded behind them. Luc didn’t have time to worry about the destruction he’d caused. His Shield instincts to protect and save replaced his anger and guilt about his and Jade’s current situation. She needed help. Town was far enough away to not be in danger from the blaze, but some of the closer huts might suffer.
The three traveled in silence. The whore ran from hut to hut, beating on each of the doors and giving warning. Luc didn’t stop, pushing forward to get Jade to the ship. Each time the woman caught up with them and took the lead.
She led him through sections of town Luc had never been in before. The strong smell of the sea sent waves of relief through him and signaled they were close to the docks. Despite his urging, the whore wouldn’t leave, following him onto Rhys’s ship. He’d deal with her after he took care of Jade.
“Ravyn?” Luc’s voice billowed
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