Pressing my hand to his chest, I backed away. “We’re wasting daylight,” I murmured.
“Yeah.” Tugging the bandana off my head, he pushed his fingers through my hair. “We’ve got one more stop to make, but it should be quick.”
Chapter Seventeen
Bait and Camping Gear.
That was all the sign said.
Arching a brow at him, I asked, “Are we going fishing?”
“Sure. I’ll catch it. You clean it.”
Wrinkling my nose at him, I said, “You wish. I only clean what I catch.”
That wicked grin curved his lips again as he parked in front of the long, low building.
“Why are we here?”
As he climbed out, he looked at me over the hood of the car. “Can you shoot any bow? Or is it something like your sword?”
“I can use any damn sword I want,” I said dryly. “Needs to be suited to my body type, but just because I prefer my sword that doesn’t mean she’s the only one I can use.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He headed toward the building. When I didn’t fall into step behind him, he paused and looked back at me. “Either you come in or I pick it out on my own.”
No. I don’t think so.
I didn’t see a single bow in sight.
Staring at him, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Wow. Quite a selection.”
“Just wait a minute, baby girl.” He laid his hand on the small of my back and guided me to the far end of the store where a skinny guy with skin the color of dark chocolate, worn as faded leather, and creased from years under the sun sat behind the counter.
The guy looked up at us and smiled.
“My boy down at the cash register will check you out, son.”
Damon didn’t move.
“We are looking for some extra supplies. Of the special variety.”
“Are you now?” He just stared at us.
“Yes. Looking for a bow.”
The man shook his head. “We just have bait and camping gear here, son.”
Damon arched a brow. “I heard otherwise. And we’re in a hurry. If you let us see what you have, I’ll pay double.”
“Oh, really…”
And that was all it took.
As he led us into a narrow back room, the man said, “You need to be aware it’s illegal to hunt in the park. If you get caught, I didn’t sell you anything. If you say otherwise, you won’t ever buy anything from me again, son.”
“Not a problem.”
Something a lot of people don’t know about the aneira. Weapons sing to us. They whisper. They talk. Even modern weapons do it, although it’s muted, almost like a radio station that’s gone all static-filled. Most of the weapons in there spoke to me in that muffled sort of voice, although there was a compound bow that wasn’t bad.
But there was something else—
I followed the sound of it while Damon paced along at my back.
“So, son, what are you looking for? Big guy like you might like this one…” He touched a big piece of work. I recognized it. Overpriced, but the manufacturer made them well. However, I wouldn’t be able to draw the damn thing. Its main feature was that it was made for big guys. I wasn’t big.
I kept walking and paused by the one bow that did seem to whisper to me. It wasn’t the one singing—I still couldn’t see, but this one…I touched a hand to him.
“That’s an awfully strong bow for a girl your size, sweetheart,” the man said, glancing at me dismissively.
“Really?” I picked it up.
Made by Athens. I hadn’t used them before. But when I touched the bow, his whisper grew to a steady stream, one I decided I liked, even as the song in the back of my head grew louder. Smiling, I drew back on the bow. “I like him,” I murmured.
“We’ll take it,” Damon said.
I released and lowered the bow, held onto it as I kept walking. There was a cabinet the end. The singing came from there. “What’s in here?”
“Ah…”
Damon said quietly, “Remember I pay double.”
“Handmade. Traditional bows. The compound would suit you fine and it’s a lot cheaper, especially since you have to pay double. Despite what people think, if you know how to shoot, the compound is no more or less accurate than a recurve bow.” The man was standing at my elbow now, although he was actually talking to me now, instead of Damon.
“I know.” I smiled. I had to see what was in that cabinet. Had to.