The male looked unconvinced, but his stance softened, even as he uttered one final warning. “It is a gamble to leave a Dream Crafter alive in these times.”
“Living in this world is a gamble, even for the gods.” Fallon’s gaze was direct, challenge in every battle-ready line. “If you want to stop rolling the dice, let’s call Reign and offer him the Realms, no war attached.”
“Peace, Dragon Slayer.” That small movement of humor crossed his face again, a smile alighting his face for a quick moment. “I believe it is a mistake, but I am willing to follow your lead. For now.”
Tenro simmered down, and the tension left Fallon’s frame. “You are great and wise and generous. I am thankful for your boon.”
He waved a hand, dismissing her exaggerated praise with another flash of smile. “It is unnerving hearing such words from you. Perhaps a little less next time would be more believable.”
“Sorry, thought that’s what went on in those temples all day. Wanted to make you feel right at home.”
The swordswoman turned, but before she could take the first step toward the departing group, Cashric spoke again. “Don’t you find it too convenient the events that put the Dream Crafter on her path? What set the authorities to her door at the perfect time?”
The overhead light from the lamppost cast jagged shadows on Fallon’s face as she looked back over her shoulder. “Me investigating coincidences usually leads to one of two doors, and since I’m not in the mood to deal with either of them, I’ll let this one lay.” Fallon dipped her head in parting. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a couple matters to get wrapped up.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
‡
“When you assholes letting me out? I got a business to run, ya know?” Hadrien kicked at the thick door, as he had been doing on and off since he brought to this place. The room was nice, furnished for some amount of comfort, complete with bathroom, small kitchen, and TV. He’d been given food supplies at regular intervals, but otherwise had been left alone.
Though there was worse captivity, cabin fever was burning through his body at a constant rate, and the lack of any harm to his person had made him mouthier than what was wise given the circumstances.
“Motherfuckers.” He kicked the door harder, and then began swearing a fiery storm as this kick shoved sharp pain through his foot and up his leg. He bent double, grabbing at his toe and half-hopping to the nearest chair.
As he sat there rubbing his foot, a scuffle sounded outside his door, a man’s half-shouted “What are–” stopped in mid-sentence. Hadrien stayed stock still, a small animal listening for the predator.
The door swung open in violent motion, and Merc stood there, his foot lowering back to the ground after kicking in the door. “Come on,” he said, tone low but forceful, and grabbed Hadrien, pulling him down a long corridor and toward a hole that had been created in the wall.
Merc pulled him hard, leaving Hadrien no choice but to keep up, and threw him into the passenger side of a waiting car before getting into the driver’s side and pulling away from the house, the tires squealing with the too fast action required of them.
“Holy shit, how did you find me?” Adrenaline was pouring through his system, his body shaking and heartbeat too loud in his ears.
Merc ignored the question, and responded instead, keeping his eyes on the road, “As much as I would’ve liked to let you stay a guest with the Blackguard, we have business to conclude.”
Hadrien tipped his head back and laughed. And this is why he was still alive. He kept his ass covered and fuck anyone who said he was doing it wrong. Screw that shit. He needed to do it more.
With Merc, he could. Now that the initial bound had taken place, it would be easy to keep the mercenary on a short leash. His own pet mercenary, how about that? There’d be nothing denied him.
Half-formed fantasies of his future good life were still filling his head as Merc pulled up to non-descript house that looked like every other house in the suburban landscape. “Out. This is one of my hideaways. I’ll give you the book, and from here you can disappear to wherever the bidding is. I assume you have a timed transport cast on you already?”
Of course. Hadrien glanced at the clock. Only ten minutes before he got pulled away, but plenty of time to get the Spellbook and cast the next bind on Merc. That was something he also had at the ready.
They went into the house, with Merc leading Hadrien into an inner room without any windows. The Spellbook was waiting on the table. Merc picked it up and glanced over at the ticking clock, counting seconds, and before the clock struck the hour, grabbed Hadrien’s hand and forced it on the book.