Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Jessie Eaker (best reads txt) 📖

When evening finally rolled around, we began to settle for the evening. Spraggel wandered in and immediately went for his pile of hay. He was snoring in only a few minutes. He had been drinking a lot of ale, so I guess it caught up with him.

Troy came to do one last check on the animals, although I suspected it was more to have one more word with Cabrina. While he was there, Fumiko begged some fresh bindings and salve, which he was more than happy to fetch.

Fumiko turned to me after he was gone. “Would you help me again?”

I nodded. “Let me take Zofie to the privy first.”

Cabrina piped up. “I can take her,” she offered. “Besides, I need to go myself.”

I paused and considered her.

Cabrina rolled her eyes as only a young girl can. “What? Do you think I’m going to run off with her or perhaps kill her? I’ve had plenty of chances to do that if I wanted to. Besides, where would I take her in this weather and in the dark?”

She had a point there. “All right. But come right back.”

Cabrina went to Zofie and took her hand, pulling her toward the door. “Come on, Princess. Let’s take care of our bodily needs. I swear I don’t see how you humans put up with it.” She kept up a constant stream of words as they went outside, headed for the privy.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Fumiko asked as she turned away and slipped off her shirt, exposing her well-toned back to me. As I unwound the old binding, it suddenly hit me that I was alone with a half-naked woman. I shook the thought away as I began to apply the salve to the dark bruise on her side. I tried not to notice how warm and smooth her skin felt. She hissed at the touch.

“You think she’s a danger to Zofie?” I asked, more to distract her from the discomfort than being concerned.

Fumiko shook her head. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about. You’re beginning to trust her. That’s what is not wise. She’s a Dark Avenyts and doesn’t think as we do.” Fumiko looked at me over her shoulder. “Although I have to admit, she’s not acting like the one that possessed me. Maybe it’s because she’s so young for her kind.”

I finished applying the salve and moved to put the fresh binding on. I carefully began to wrap it around her chest.

“Could be,” I said. “Cabrina and No-name do seem to be about the same maturity level. They make quite the pair.”

She nodded, but said nothing more.

The binding came up shorter than I expected and I had to reach around Fumiko to tie it off. I leaned close, trying to touch as little of her as I could.

“There. That should do it,” I said when I finished. But when I went to pull away, she grabbed my hands and pulled them against her stomach, making me lean closer. “Hold me for just a moment.” She leaned back into me and sighed contently. “Please. Your hands are so warm.”

I felt very awkward and wasn’t sure what to do.

After a moment, she released me and put on her shirt. She turned and looked into my eyes. “Zofie is so lucky. I love her from the bottom of my heart, but I have to admit I’m envious.”

I gave her a nervous smile. “It’s probably just my curse altering our fate so that you’ll help me. I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

She leaned closer. “Perhaps you’re right.” Then her hand shot out, grabbing me behind the neck and pulling me into a brief kiss.

My eyes went wide in shock.

She pulled away and took a step back. Uncharacteristically, one corner of her mouth pulled up. “Your curse made me do that.” She turned away. “I better go check on those two. Knowing Cabrina, she’s decided to urinate in the snow just to see what it does.”

Fumiko pulled on her cloak and left.

I got our blankets and spread them out. I couldn’t help but wonder what all that was about. Could Fumiko harbor feelings for me? I hoped not. And I hoped I wasn’t giving her the wrong idea.

Just then, the door flew open with Fumiko leading Zofie inside. “I can’t find her!” she yelled. “Zofie was standing in the middle of the path all by herself. But Cabrina wasn’t with her, and she wasn’t in the privy.” Fumiko came closer. “Not only that, but from the tracks in the snow, there appears to have been a struggle. I could make out at least three pairs of adult-sized boots.”

I stared at her in disbelief.

Cabrina’s been taken.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Hard Stop

It had to be the innkeeper, Eviek. I immediately woke Spraggel and explained what happened. He rubbed his face and then waved his hand toward the door.

“Go,” he said. “We have to find her. I’ll protect the princess.”

I nodded and ran out the door with Fumiko on my heels. Once outside, I reached in my shirt and pulled out Cabrina’s control amulet. I thanked the Creator that Rourke had foreseen we might need something for this situation. I moved to a clear spot between the inn and the barn.

“Locate,” I commanded. It flashed briefly to let me know it was active. I then started to slowly turn in a circle. When I was halfway around, it flashed. I looked up. It was pointing down the snow-rutted road in front of the inn. “Damn.”

I looked to Fumiko. I couldn’t see her well in the dim light of the partial moon. “I’ll go ahead. Let Oddfrid know we might be leaving a little early.”

Fumiko didn’t move. “Whatever you do, don’t fight