The Whitefire Crossing - By Courtney Schafer Page 0,36
common as grains of sand.
Kiran flinched, thinking of Dev on the cliff. Oh yes, he’d learned Ruslan’s lessons well.
The tiny flutter of magic as Dev’s bruise faded to a shadow conveyed little information. Dev flipped the charm back to Harken before Kiran could think of an excuse to inspect it.
Jerik emerged from the trees with another full water jug. Behind him strolled Cara and Pello, talking and laughing like old friends. Dev greeted them as casually as ever. Cara jerked her chin in a stiff, brusque nod, and walked to the opposite side of the fire. Pello’s gaze flicked between them. His smile edged wider.
Kiran’s stomach tightened. He took care to sit in the shadow of the wagon. Dev showed no sign of nerves around Pello, but Kiran didn’t trust himself to manage the same.
“Real food, thank the gods.” Cara inhaled with a beatific expression. She turned to Pello. “Want to join us for dinner? Harken’s a hell of a cook.”
Pello shook his head. “Much as that would please me, I should return to my own wagon.” He ran his hands through his mop of curls with a longsuffering sigh. “I must inventory my supplies tonight. I fear I didn’t lace my wagon cover tightly enough this morning. An animal got in while I was away working on the rockfall.”
Kiran barely stopped himself from jerking in surprise. He glanced at Dev, who was leaning against the side of the wagon watching Pello with a blandly civil expression. Dev had worked alone that morning, while Kiran slept. He could have searched Pello’s wagon—but why, before they’d secured a carcabon stone? Surely he wouldn’t be so foolish as to put Pello on his guard before they had a real chance of finding the charm.
Dev’s face provided no clues. Kiran tore his gaze away, hoping Pello hadn’t noticed.
“Marmots are the spawn of Shaikar,” Harken said. “Next time, bring a stronger vermin charm. The kind cityfolk buy keep out rats well enough, but not bigger animals.”
“But if you do, remember to stash it this side of the border.” Dev’s one-sided grin made a fleeting appearance. “The Alathians have no sympathy for a convoy man’s troubles.”
Had Pello’s eyes flickered? Kiran leaned forward.
Pello made a rueful face. “Ah, the things one learns too late. We have no such troubles on the southbound route.”
“Yeah? So what brings you westbound?” Dev said, all polite interest.
Pello smiled at him, his dark eyes glinting. “A favor to a friend, as it happens. One of his regular men became unreliable, and he asked me to fill in.” His smile sharpened. “I’m sure you understand, Dev, after your recent experience with unreliable friends.”
“What’s this?” Cara looked back and forth between Dev and Pello. Dev’s expression stayed polite, but Kiran saw his fist clench, low at his side in the wagon’s shadow.
“Surely you heard the sad tale?” Pello’s eyes locked with Dev’s. “It was all over Acaltar district before we left, how Dev’s partner cast him aside like a burned-out charm.”
Cara straightened, her mouth falling open. “Mother of maidens, Dev, that bitch finally cut you loose? No wonder you—” She stopped short.
Dev’s breath hissed out through his teeth. “Yeah, Jylla and I split,” he said, sharply. “Not that it’s anybody’s business but ours.” Kiran winced in sympathy. From the look on Dev’s face, he’d rather crawl through magefire than discuss whatever had happened. Kiran knew how that felt. He bowed his head, fighting back thoughts of Alisa.
“Ah, but when lovers are business partners, that’s where the sadness comes in.” Sympathy dripped from Pello’s voice. “I heard she played you like a wind pipe. You did all the work, while she dallied with half the men in the city. Then she took your accounts and—”
Dev shoved away from the wagon. “Don’t believe everything you hear,” he growled, and advanced on Pello.
Cara sprang to her feet. “Enough!” She pointed at Dev. “You, back off. I’ll have no fighting here.” Dev grimaced and slouched back against the wagon. Cara turned to Pello. “You, out. I didn’t invite you to our fire so you could provoke my riders.”
“My apologies if I offended.” Pello dipped in an ironic bow. “I’ll leave you to your dinner.” He vanished into the darkness.
Cara broke the awkward silence. “Whatever bad blood’s between you and Pello, Dev, that’s the last I want to see of it on this trip.”
Dev didn’t answer. He was scowling after Pello, but to Kiran’s surprise, his eyes looked more thoughtful than angry. Kiran nudged him.