A few long seconds pass before Blaze strides out from the exact spot that Lincoln had been inspecting. Once again, I decide that Blaze could be handsome if it weren’t for the oversized attitude and man-bun. He strides across the clearing and pauses at the base of the stairs. I really, really, really want to jump on his head in a pile-driver-style slam, but it’s probably better to take Lincoln’s lead on this. My guy has more experience with the thrax, after all.
Although, the pile driver would feel really good. This Blaze guy is a creep.
“Greetings.” Blaze only addresses Lincoln, which pisses me off.
Lincoln’s stance stays still as stone. “What do you want?”
“Information. I’m told you’re some kind of angelic warrior.”
At those words, a wave of worry moves through me. Our amulets hide our true identity, even from thrax. In other words, there’s only one way that Blaze could know about Lincoln being part angel. Harper. My muscles lock with a mixture of rage and fear. “How do you know that?” Blaze ignores me. I’m hating the guy more by the second. “I asked you a question.”
He still ignores me. The guy is so getting extra pain because of that.
“Answer her,” orders Lincoln.
Blaze doesn’t bother to look my way when he replies. “I have my sources.”
“Don’t play coy. What did you do with Harper?”
“Concerned about your fellow student?”
“Just answer the question, knob head.”
“She’s right here.” Blaze waves his hand. The other four Acca warriors step out from the woods. All of them still wear their black body armor with the Acca insignia on their chests. Harper limps along in the center of group. My heart cracks at the sight of her. Harper’s face is tear-stained, and her jacket’s been torn almost in half. One of the Acca warriors holds a knife to her throat.
“This girl says she saw an angelic warrior.” Blaze points to Lincoln. “I’m guessing you’re a thrax who’s hiding under some kind of charm.” He nods toward me. “And you’re his thane.”
What a dick. Thanes are little better than slaves. “I am so not his thane.”
Blaze chuckles like that was a really cute thing for a little girl like me to say. “You two must be a wayward demon patrol, perhaps from the House of Gurith?”
Much as I hate to admit it, that’s not a bad guess. Lincoln’s mother Octavia is from Gurith. It’s one of the few thrax houses that train women warriors. Even so, Gurith is one of the lesser houses. It’s about a dozen levels below Rixa, which sets Lincoln’s at the top of that particular pile. A small smile rounds my lips. Wait until we take these enchanted amulets off and show Blaze who we really are. He’ll wet his battle armor.
I bite my lower lip to keep my yap shut. I’m dying to spill the beans.
If Lincoln’s anxious to share, he doesn’t show it. I swear, my guy could play poker professionally. When he speaks again, Lincoln’s voice is super-calm. “It’s true. I can lay claim to the House of Gurith.”
Technically, my guy can lay claim to every thrax House in Antrum, but that’s neither here nor there.
“Then, let’s talk, one thrax to another.” Blaze gestures to where Harper shivers between the hulking Acca warriors. “This human says you’re here on some kind of quest. Now what could that be?” Blaze taps his chin dramatically before pointing to my backpack. “I’m guessing you have taken the codex from Prescott’s office. You stole our Earl’s property. You’re rebel sympathizers.”
I raise my hand. “Define rebel.”
“The true ruling house of Antrum is not Rixa, but Acca. Aldred is our right and proper King. Anyone who declares otherwise supports a rebellion. As a lesser house, you would do well to align yourselves with us, here and now.”
Meaning, he wants us to just hand over the codex. Like that’ll happen.
“No,” says Lincoln.
A muscle flexes along Blaze’s square jawline. I decide that he has a head shaped like a marshmallow. “You would deny the true King?”
I roll my eyes. “Come on. Rixa took the throne like five hundred years ago. You really need to adapt to reality.”
“Perhaps you’re the one who needs to change,” says Blaze slowly.
“Let me clear things up. For the record, we’re totally in league with Rixa. And you’re not getting your hands on this codex. Like ever.”
Lincoln’s voice takes on a deadly tone. “Let me share with you what happens next. You’re going to let us go. After that, you’re turning yourselves in to the nearest Pulpitum to admit your crimes and plead for mercy.”
Now, this is why my guy is total king material. My first reaction was to squish Blaze into a bloody pulp. Lincoln wants to give him and his cronies a chance to turn themselves in. Totes noble.
Blaze slides his hands lower on his hips. My brows lift. That’s a classic thrax battle move, right there. Their body armor hides about a dozen mini knives and nunchuks by their upper thighs. “I’ll give you one more chance, Gurith. There are five of us and two of you. Do you really think you can win?” He pauses for dramatic effect. “Now, hand over the codex and join our side.”
Lincoln and I share a long look. I know what he’s thinking because it’s the same thing that I am.
That’s the stupidest request in the history of ever.
We’re about to say just that when Prescott wanders into the clearing. I blink, not sure what I’m seeing.
Prescott’s here, really?
Things are about to get interesting again. And in my life, that’s bad news.
Chapter Twenty-Two