Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,44

do you mean she’s gone?”

“I found Berk and Frederick, unconscious, the Madam’s chains discarded on the ground. Should we go after her?”

Liam spun and looked at me sitting on the sideboard of the wagon and then back to the forest. He shook his head in frustration. “No, we don’t have time. We must track her on a different day. We need to hurry toward Somnielle before it’s too late.”

“Yes, Commander.”

I felt Liam’s frustration. I, too, wanted to bring the woman to justice, for I knew her kind. She was a slippery weasel, and with her drugs, she could easily disappear and pop up again and start over.

The raid on the illegal brothel brought to light a dark and hidden secret. An ongoing problem that many had turned a blind eye to, and it needed to be stopped. And I knew if I ever crossed paths again with that wretched woman, it would be she that would be forced to do my bidding.

“I heard this girl belongs to you?” Devin walked to the wagon with my horse.

“Damsel!” Grinning, I reached out and gently stroked her soft brown mane. I was glad that she was here. “How”—I swallowed, my mouth still dry—“did you find me?” I looked at his lack of uniform and soldier haircut, and knew he wasn’t one of Rya’s royal guards.

“I’m a ranger and have close connections with Liam. He trained me before I left the guard and went out on my own.” He saw my look and shrugged. “I’m not great at settling down or obeying orders. But I’m fine as a hired sword. I was already tracking the chain of missing girls when Liam sent word to me. He thought the same group took you.”

“How come no one found them before now?”

“All the girls were kidnapped across the border from neighboring kingdoms, then transported to Madam Esme’s hidden brothel in Rya,” Devin answered. “She caters to high-profile clients with money and secrets. I had just zeroed in on her hideout when I intercepted a call sheet for one with hair like moonlight and skin like milk. I mean it could have been an auction for a horse for all I know. I got word back to Liam, and he said it had to be you, and that he would bring the troops and rescue you by morning.”

I glanced over to Liam. He marched around the field, giving orders, sending troops to escort the men captured during the raid to High Tower, the closest prison.

“Except that you were being sold that night. Morning would have been too late. So I tracked a noble I suspected of using her services. I relieved him of his money purse and invitation and entered the auction on my own.” He grinned. “I’m glad you weren’t a horse.”

I smiled. “That was incredibly—”

Devin interrupted. “Brave, I know.”

“Stupid,” Liam said, having appeared out of nowhere. His face void of all emotion. “We’re loading up. Are you coming, Devin, or are you on to your next assignment?”

“Ah, you know me. I go wherever adventure takes me. I think I’ll tag along for a bit.” He shot me a wink.

Liam glowered and stormed off. Three of Rya’s men headed into the cave, tossing burning torches down each of the tunnels.

Devin reached up to scratch Damsel’s forehead. “Looks like we’re ready to leave. Do you want to ride her, or sit in the wagon?”

I glanced at the wagon full of women and turned back assuredly to my quiet horse. “I would like to ride Damsel.”

“You sure? You’re still recovering from quite an ordeal.”

“I’m sure. I’ll tie myself to her if I have to.”

Devin laughed and helped me onto Damsel, but I could barely hold on to the reins. They kept slipping through my clumsy and numb fingers.

“It’s okay.” Devin tied Damsel’s reins to his pommel and mounted his own horse. Choosing to lead me instead of forcing me to give up the freedom of riding as we headed deeper into the mountains.

We headed out, leaving the burning brothel behind us. A dark trail of smoke rose into the sky, signaling the end of our nightmare. But I knew I would never truly be free from the horrors of what happened here. They would haunt me forever.

Now that their commander had returned to the troops, they were regrouping to take another stab at fighting their way through the blight. He had returned with a powerful sorceress. Except I knew that was no longer the case. I didn’t know what