Mindful of the guards roaming the perimeter, Shea followed Braden. Careful to keep her movements swift and silent.
Following someone in a cavern with little light was not easy—especially when you didn’t dare risk a torch for fear that you would be seen. The crevasses in the ceiling let in a little light from the moon and stars, enough that she wasn’t totally blind.
She stumbled on unseen obstacles more than a time or two. Each time her heart leapt into her throat.
As they moved further and further from the camp, leaving the perimeter behind, Shea became convinced that Braden was up to something. Why else would he have left? Especially when he’d agreed with her that they should lock down camp.
It dawned on her that she was following a Trateri general, a man as trained as Fallon in the art of warfare, without backup or having even told anyone where she was going. She wanted to kick her own ass for her stupidity.
This wasn’t smart. She should have told Caden or at least brought someone along.
A figure loomed out of the shadows. Shea made an undignified sound—a cross between a squeak and a scream—as hands grabbed her. Her training kicked in. She swept one arm up trying to break his grip. Her assailant countered by grabbing her hand and bending it sharply backwards.
She gasped, her body bowing to keep the hand from breaking.
“Shea?” The grip on her hand relaxed. A torch flared, illuminating their surroundings. Braden stared at her in disbelief and suspicion. “What are you doing here?”
Shea stared at him for a long moment. No lie came to mind. She had nothing prepared.
“You’re following me.” It was a statement; not a question.
She nodded.
He gave an angry sigh. “Why?”
Because he’d been very suspicious skulking around the camp. Because she was curious.
She doubted he’d be happy with either of those answers.
“Why are you out here?” she asked going on the offense. “Caden said no one was to leave.”
He gave her a grim look. “I’m a general.”
“Does the Trateri version of that word mean someone who doesn’t have to follow orders?” Shea asked before she could think better of it. She was out here alone, and he’d already proven he was better at combat than she was. The last thing she wanted to do was antagonize him.
His gaze said he was not amused.
“I think you’re right. I should head back.” Shea tried to step around him and was brought up short when he lifted an arm and blocked her way.
“No, I think you should accompany me.” The smile he gave her didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So I can ensure your safety, of course.”
Shea kept any skepticism she felt inside. She didn’t want to antagonize him. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Camp’s not far.”
It was a subtle reminder that someone might hear her scream and come running.
He looked over her head and then ran his eyes over her. “And how do you plan on finding your way back without a light? I see no torch on you.”
Shea glanced back. There were enough buildings standing between them and camp that any light was blocked. Only darkness waited behind her.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. I just need to find my way around one or two buildings.”
“Nonsense. Fallon would never forgive me if something happened to you on the way back.” He waited a beat. “Unless there’s some reason why you don’t want me around?”
The implacable look on Braden’s face said he wasn’t going to let this go. Shea was left with two choices—resist and try her luck on making it back with an angry general hunting her or go along and wait for her chance to escape.
She gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “No, you’re right. Trying to find my way back in the dark is madness. I’ll stay with you.”
He gave her a slow nod, looking less than convinced of her words. He turned, saying over his shoulder, “Stay close. We wouldn’t want you falling into any sinkholes.”
Shea strides stuttered before she forced herself to calm. It was hard not to see that last comment as anything but a subtle threat given what had happened to Fallon.
“You never did say what you were doing out here,” Shea said after a long moment of walking through the abandoned city.
“I’m looking for something.”
“Something or someone?” Shea didn’t know why she was pushing him. She didn’t really want an answer right then, especially given there were plenty of places to hide her body with no one being the wiser. They would think she’d just wandered off. Maybe looking for Fallon, though she was sure some would say she was abandoning them.
The gaze he cast her over her shoulder was hard to decipher. After a pause, he said, “You are very curious.”
Shea shut her mouth. They walked past several smaller buildings, many of which might have been houses in the city’s long ago past. She slowed down, letting the space between them widen.
“I couldn’t understand what Fallon saw in you. There he was telling me how he wanted to strengthen his hold on the Lowlands, that he wanted to put any thought of conquering the Highlands on hold.” He looked at her and stopped. “What are you doing?”
She feigned an innocent expression, her heart thundering in her chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Am I walking too fast?”
She shook her head.
“Then keep up. I want this done before the army awakens.”
Shea’s hands shook as he gave her his back and continued walking.
“I’d planned to kill you, you know?” He gave her a casual look over his shoulder. Shea almost tripped before righting herself. “I thought you’d done something to him, somehow. Something to make him forget his ambition.”
“What changed your mind?” Shea’s voice was thin.
He tilted his head thoughtfully. Before he could speak, the clip-clop of several horse’s hooves reached them.
Braden stiffened and doused the light from his torch. It was all the distraction Shea needed. She darted into the shadows and away from Braden. Rushing headlong into the darkness, praying she didn’t trip.
There was a muffled shout behind her, but no sound of pursuit.
She slowed to a quick walk, fearing if she continued running she’d kill herself faster than any enemy ever could.
Alone, darkness pressing in on her, she looked around in the pale light. She hadn’t noticed it before, but the stones glowed ever so slightly when there was no other light around. As her eyes adjusted, the green blue glow became more pronounced. She lifted her hand to touch a stone wall next to her.
“Bioluminescence.”
In nature, there was evidence of some animals—mostly bugs and microscopic organisms—that glowed in the dark. She’d heard tales of entire lakes that took on an otherworldly glow on the darkest of nights, but only during certain periods of the year. She had never been lucky enough to see such an event herself.
Her fingers came away with a slight glow. If she had to guess, she’d say there was some type of algae or plant growing on the stone of the city. The light from the torches must have made it impossible to see. No light, and suddenly she could see each building, softly glowing before her.