My family. Or Elias. Avitas follows me as I leave Cardium Rock. My body feels numb with disbelief. I do not notice him dogging my heels until I’m halfway to Antium’s northern gate. “Leave me.” I wave a hand at him. “I don’t need you.” “I’m tasked with—” I whirl on him, a knife to his throat. He puts his hands up slowly, but without the wariness he’d have if he thought I was actually going to kill him. Something about it makes me even angrier. “I don’t care. I need to be alone. So stay away from me, or your body will soon find itself looking for a new head.” “With respect, Shrike, please tell me where you’re going and when you’ll return. If something happens—” I’m already walking away from him. “Then your mistress will be pleased,” I call back. “Leave me be, Harper. That’s an order.” Minutes later, I’m departing Antium. Not enough men manning the north gate, I find myself thinking, a desperate attempt to keep my mind off what Marcus has just told me.
What do You think about A Torch Against The Night?
