and then fell dead to the floor.
"Rava protect us," Roscoe whispered.
"Watch out." Fiona yanked Eva out of the way before stomping down hard on one of the fist-sized bugs in the shape of a misshapen rose that had strayed dangerously close.
"Thanks," Eva muttered already hurrying past to the man.
She ripped off her belt on the way.
"Eva, get away from him," Fiona urged.
"There's still hope," Eva countered. She'd already watched two men die tonight. Perhaps they hadn't been her greatest friends, but she'd known them. She didn't want to see anyone else die if she could help it.
She wrapped the belt around the man’s arm about two inches below his elbow and tightened it as much as she could, creating a tourniquet.
"She's right, lass," the man said in a pain filled voice. There was resignation there. "It's safer to let them end me."
"Safe isn't always best," Eva said fiercely. "Reece was going to create a poultice. We need to get you to the healer and let him do his work."
Eva lifted a challenging stare to Fiona, the unspoken leader here.
Fiona watched her for a moment, and Eva thought she would insist on killing the man despite her protests.
Fiona's lips quirked and she nodded. "You heard her. Get him to the healer." Fiona glanced at Laurell and tilted her head at Eva. "Go with her. Try to keep her out of trouble."
"You're getting soft," Laurell grunted.
Fiona arched an amused eyebrow. "Don't let Hanna hear you say that. She'd never let me live it down."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Eva shoved her shoulder under the man's arm, heaving him up and supporting his weight as Laurell led the way to their exit point. The skin below the tourniquet had blackened, tiny veins of green spreading out from the sting like branches on a tree. His breathing was labored as beads of sweat ran down his forehead.
"We're almost there," Eva assured him.
At least she hoped so.
The transformation was happening too fast. Faster than anything Eva had ever seen.
Laurell paused at the door to the outside, looking left then right before doing a visual sweep of the frame to make sure no bugs waited.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Laurell asked. "It's likely safer inside."
"That isn't an option. He won't make it if we wait for the battle to be over." Eva was concerned about how quickly his skin was changing. It hadn't progressed past the tourniquet yet, but it was only a matter of time.
She didn't know at what point the infection became irreversible, and she had no plans to find out. It was either take the risk or let Laurell kill him.
Approval shown in Laurell's eyes. "I think we're rubbing off on you, Lowlander."
Eva's smile was fierce. "Ever consider it might be the opposite?"
Laurell snorted. "Don't go getting all sassy on me. We still have a way to go. You don't want to upset your escort, now do you?"
"You're both crazy," the man panted. "I'm going to die before we ever take a single step."
Laurell didn't bother hiding her grin. "You heard the man. No turning back now."
Eva grinned back. "That never crossed my mind."
Laurell ducked low, darting outside. Eva remained in place, waiting as Laurell did a visual sweep. Seconds later, Laurell beckoned and Eva helped the man outside.
They hurried across the small lane, passing the stable and several groups working to destroy the bugs scuttling their way. Eva spotted Hanna on a roof, her expression determined, bow in her hand as she targeted the bugs from above with fire arrows.
Two of the brightly colored bugs scuttled up the wall toward Hanna. Eva started to shout a warning. There was a whistle in the air as a dagger impaled each bug.
She glanced over to see Laurell's hand drop to her side. "You owe me, Snake."
"Just consider it payback for the time I saved you in Xante," Hanna shouted back.
Eva rolled her eyes at the interchange, too busy supporting the other man as they half-ran half-walked toward another group of Trateri.
Catching sight of them, the healer hurried over. "How long ago was he stung?"
"A few minutes."
"He has a chance then," the healer said. He touched the tourniquet. "A better one with this. Quick thinking."
"I thought the poultice was supposed to work," Eva said.
"It does, but the rate of transformation is quicker than anything the pathfinder predicted," the healer said. "It's not natural."
Reece raced out of a side street, a horde of bugs scurrying after him. He passed two Trateri crouching on either side of the