Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Jonathan Michael (red novels .txt) 📖

Ellia treads closer to Astor until she’s face-to-face with her. “It may seem as though I’m full of empty threats with just a few pushes and shoves, but remember your dear friends back in Greenport. The second I find out you’re no longer needed, I’m going to cut out that lying tongue and shove it somewhere unpleasant before selling you off to the Amorous Artillery.”

“How dare—” Astor starts but gets cut short with a backhand across the face that sends her to the ground again.

An unexpected sting flares in my cheek as a hand strikes across my face too.

“What did I do?”

She takes one step closer and I shrink in cowardice.

There’s something odd about the way she struck me. It had the normal sting, but usually there’s a warmth to it. This one was cool, and the pain lingers. Not a week ago, I wouldn’t have been able to analyze the aftermath of a slap, but it’s become routine around Ellia.

Astor remains wide-eyed, staring at me now. What’s she looking at? Does she want me to fight back? I look to the ground to avoid angering Ellia further.

“Enough wasted time. Let’s move. Jaymes, mount up.”

Ellia’s had me riding the panther for days now. I don’t know if it’s to infuriate Astor or if she doesn’t want me slowing us down, or maybe both. But it’s obvious Astor is fatigued. What can I do, though? Arguing will only make matters worse. Ellia mounts the beast behind me with Astor bound and in tow yet again.

“We have one more crossing not too far off, then it’s all navigating the Ancient Redwoods from there. The passage is marginal, and the drop is far.” Ellia hasn’t divulged any information about the risks ahead this whole time. So why now? To keep us in a state of unwavering fear? Or maybe she herself is fearful of the passage.

I eventually realize Ellia’s meaning of the phrase not too far off differs from the rest of the world’s. We trek through the thin underbrush for nearly three or four hours before arriving at the crossing. And it turns out there isn’t even a crossing.

“There’s no way I’m jumping across. Only one of the Human Knots is acrobatic enough to even attempt that leap.” I immediately find myself falling off Persia, proving my point that I’m far from the talent of that traveling contortionist group. Thankfully, the forest floor is somewhat soft here.

“You’re right. You’re rather clumsy, aren’t you? Runs in the family,” Ellia suggests.

“What in Susy’s name do you know about my family?” I shouldn’t have said that.

Ellia maneuvers to dismount the cat and plants a foot right into my ear on her way down. I lie on the ground for a long while. I don’t recuperate from this one so quickly.

“Your sass has reached its max. No more, or you’ll find yourself at the bottom of this ravine. I don’t care what the Taoiseach sees in you.”

“So…” Astor starts hesitantly. “Where is the crossing?”

“We create one,” Ellia replies. “Jaymes, get up.”

And what do you expect me to do? Build a bridge? I wonder but refrain from saying it out loud to avoid finding out how far down this thing is.

“Exactly,” she proclaims.

Exactly what? Did I say that out loud? I didn’t. I know I didn’t.

I try it again. You want me to build a bridge? Out of what? My lips remain tight as a poor man’s purse.

“Are you so unimaginative?” Ellia grins at me, pleased with herself.

I look to Astor. She has a peculiar stare flashing between the two of us, but not one so exaggerated it tells me she knows what just happened. Ellia heard my thoughts. Ellia can hear what’s inside my head! How? What does this mean? I’m not safe. I was never safe. I never had a chance of escaping her. What is she? My thoughts run wild. But they’re no longer safe. I can’t let them run wild. My eyes fix on Ellia, and her pleased grin fades as she continues lecturing me.

“Have you not been living in the wood, fending for your life? You ought to know how to be resourceful by now.”

I stare blankly, trying to keep my mind closed, fearful of what she’ll do to me if I express the matter verbally. I raise the oasis pouch I made from palm fronds at the start of our expedition.

“Ugh.” She throws her hands in the air. I flinch. “Fell a fucking tree, for Susy’s sake. A tree is a bridge.”

“H-how?” I make sure I’m out of reach before replying. “You’re the one with the blade. I doubt you’re willing to arm me, so…” Why is she targeting me to build a bridge? Why not Astor? Err…I’ve got to keep my thoughts chained.

“Astor’s weak.”

Astor’s arms tighten around herself as the words escape Ellia. Her angelic features turn sour with a perplexity in her gaze.

“And you’re already armed,” Ellia adds. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I guess so.”

The expression on Ellia’s face turns from an angered beast to that of a disappointed mother. She traipses closer, shaking her head. I shudder, not knowing what to anticipate. Does she have an expectation of me? Why? I’m just an average Dihkai she picked up, no, kidnapped off the street. Why would she expect this of me?

“You’re a Dihkai. A Gloomer. Think about it.”

I shake my head and ease away from her.

Ellia moves closer yet and places a hand on my shoulder. “Are you so dim you can’t see a blinding hint?” She raises a hand. I flinch again. But she merely rubs at her forehead. “You’ve used your degenerative talents in the past—I know. I’ve witnessed it.” She pauses, waiting for me to respond.