Yelena flicked the bug away. He smiled his thanks. She shook her head just like Ari did when exasperated with him. Which was quite often, although he’d no clue why because his logic was undeniable.

Eventually, the search moved far enough away from their hiding place.

“We can’t stay here much longer,” Janco said. The bug might have friends.

“We should split up,” Onora said. She sat on the branch right above him. “They’re looking for three people.”

Yelena agreed. “Let’s meet at the Water Witch Inn. It’s in Port Monroe, located about five miles downstream of here.”

“See you there.” Onora climbed down.

“She’s quiet,” Yelena said as they returned to solid ground.

Shuddering, Janco brushed off his hair and clothes. “Yeah, and she’s good with a knife.”

“Hopefully she won’t need it tonight. See you at the Witch.” Yelena turned to go, but Janco grabbed her arm.

He didn’t like how she held herself as if afraid she’d break. And she’d entered the warehouse alone and without backup. That didn’t jibe. Something wasn’t right and Valek would kill him if he didn’t stick with her. Ari, too.

“We’ll go together,” he said.

“But—”

“They’re looking for three, not two.”

She smiled. “All right, but we need to get to the other side of the river.”

He glanced at the cold churning water. “We’re gonna swim?”

“Not if I can help it. There’s a bridge back in Lapeer.”

“Lapeer? Is that the town we were just in?”

“Yup.”

“What about the smugglers?”

“We’ll worry about that then.”

He released her and she led him along the bank, heading upstream until they reached the bridge. They climbed and peered over the embankment. A couple of smugglers walked along the main street. “Are you sure we need to cross?”

“Yes.” She yanked her hood down and unwound her hair, letting the long black strands hang over her shoulders. “Follow my lead.” She took his hand, lacing her fingers with his and winked.

Ah. He grinned. “I knew you’d come around eventually.”

Yelena tugged him up onto the bridge’s walking path. She pressed against his side, walking slow. “It’s always been you, Janco. I’ve just been suppressing my true feelings.”

“What about Valek?” He stared at her as if she were the only one in the world even though he longed to check if the goons had spotted them yet.

“Valek, smalek. He’s way too serious.”

They paused at the center of the bridge, taking in the view. Little diamonds of moonlight sparkled on the water. He pulled her into a hug before they moseyed to the other side.

“You’ll leave Valek for me?” he asked.

“Yes. You just have to tell him we’re running away together.” She smirked.

“Ow.” He pressed a hand to his heart. “Doused with ice-cold reality. All loving feelings gone. Sorry, sweetheart, you’re not worth dying for.”

“Are you sure it’s not that pretty new recruit?” She made a left onto a trail, heading downstream.

“It’s not. She’d probably rather kill me than kiss me.”

“Oh?”

“Long story. I’ll tell you about it later.” The path cut between the river and the forest. “How many miles is it?”

“About five, but my horse can take us both.”

Just as he realized why that didn’t sound right, Yelena turned right and entered the woods. She hiked until they reached a grayish horse.

Oh no. Worried, he asked, “Where’s Kiki?”

29

YELENA

Despite the near miss at the factory and being chased, my mood had improved. It might have been due to Janco’s presence, but I’d never confess that to him. He’d gloat about it forever. Janco held on to my waist as The Madam trotted along the path that paralleled the twists and turns of the Sunworth river.

We reached Port Monroe an hour later. After I settled The Madam in the Water Witch’s stable, we entered the common room just as the sun rose. We sat at a table opposite the door, ordered sweet cakes and tea. I needed at least a gallon of tea. Janco didn’t seem to be his normal peppy self, either.

“Did Valek send you to investigate the Curare factory?” I asked before he could start with his questions.

“Curare!” He smacked his forehead. “Of course. That’s why it smelled so familiar. It was driving me crazy.”

I waited.

“Curare. Oh sh—”

“That’s what I thought when I caught the scent. It took me a day to hone in on that factory. I waited until the nighttime to learn who is responsible, and...well, you know the rest. If you didn’t know they were producing Curare, then why were you there?”

Janco told me about tracking smugglers to Sitia. “...using magic to hide their routes. And we also discovered Maren’s working undercover in the operation.”

“Are you her backup?”

“No. The Commander didn’t tell us where she was. Not even Valek.”

That worried me. Did the Commander suspect there was an informer in Valek’s corps?

Our food arrived and we both shoveled steaming sweet cakes into our mouths. I gulped my tea despite the hot temperature. The liquid burned all the way to my stomach and warmed me.