for the night. He rolled the scrap of leather up and secured it to the bird’s leg, lifting his arm as it took flight. It flapped large, colorful wings to gain altitude before it shot through the sky above us. He pulled me back, and I allowed it, pretending not to know what he’d just written. Most people didn’t know the Night King’s ancient language, but I’d been taught several languages for my position.
Torrin had purposely been using it to exclude us from their plans, but I’d understood every word he’d said, every order he’d given his men. I’d been privy to everything they’d discussed without him ever knowing. I could play dumb for as long as I needed since it helped me learn their plan without playing my hand.
The lights of a town came into view, and I exhaled. I was more than ready to unfold from the horse and stretch out my aching limbs. Plus, we were all drenched from the constant rainfall that didn’t seem to let up anytime soon.
“We’ll stop for the night here,” Torrin announced in a language I could understand, turning to one man, who moved in beside him. “Go check out the inn. Make sure none of the nightwalkers are visible. If they are, send them away under the king’s orders. Anyone else within the tavern needs to be aware to hold their tongues in the presence of our current company.”
I did a double blink, turning toward one of the men, who observed me. His lips pulled back from his gums, and serrated teeth became visible before he nodded to Torrin, heading off to do as he’d been ordered. My heart slowed, and I used my senses to scour the town as far as my sight would reach.
Within the shadows were several nightwalkers, who were moon-touched creatures that had turned to the darkness, allowing it to slither into their souls, expelling the light. Bloody hell. They were ravenous beings, starving for the light they’d once held and given up. Torrin was walking us in like dinner to a starving village of turned beings.
Chapter Ten
The inn was clean, with creatures that seemed normal, or as close to it as you could expect this deep into their territory. This one didn’t have people itching to touch us, but then Torrin and his men weren’t allowing them anywhere near us, either. Ale was brought to the table by his men the moment we’d taken our seats. A boisterous singer with a stringed instrument was singing a lusty tune as she flirted shamelessly with the men. Peering into the shadows, I studied a few of the patrons watching us with hunger burning within their gazes.
Nightwalkers.
I shivered, dispelling the chill that clung to my skin while I sipped the ale. A barmaid had shown me to a room with Torrin, where he’d allowed me to change. He thought, by standing watch over me, it would prevent me from escaping him. My dress was short, but then I hadn’t had time to wash the lightweight leggings I usually wore. I’d asked Torrin for soap and water, only to be told that I could do my laundry once we reached the palace in the next few days.
My bare legs seemed to have gone unnoticed as the rest of my team appeared in matching outfits. Torrin pushed me into the corner of the table against the wall, and my girls piled in around me. He tapped his fingers on the table as some men bowed at the waist, holding a hand out for the girls to join them in a dance.
I smiled, watching Amo bypass one warrior for another who had a darker complexion and was covered in tattoos and markings. His emerald eyes slid over her with a hunger he didn’t bother to hide. Silently, I watched as they began dancing to the song. Others joined them until only Torrin, and I remained at the table. I’d had four cups of ale before Amo returned to the table, holding out her hand for me.
I looked at Torrin, and before he could protest, Amo yanked me from the table and pulled me onto the dance floor with her. Her arms wrapped around me, and I stiffened, laughing as she slowly kissed my ear.
“I’m not hitting on you, promise. However, I’ll get your kitty going if it means finally being able to talk without ears hearing us,” she chuckled, causing my eyes to sparkle with mirth. “There are nightwalkers everywhere, and I