A wind blew from behind Shea, rustling her hair. She stilled but didn’t turn. Whatever lived down here, she had no desire to see it.
Remember, enemy of my enemy. Choose your path wisely. Cold breath hit the back of her neck and then was gone.
*
Shea couldn’t sleep while Fallon was out there. She’d made the decision not to chance trying to go into the collapsed courtyard, but it didn’t mean she didn’t want to. Instead, she’d done the smart thing, the right thing, and had moved Fallon’s army further into the city and towards the path leading out of this place.
First things first, she needed to get his men out of here. The warning from whatever lived down here couldn’t be ignored. She had a feeling if they stayed past their welcome, their bones would be the ones decorating the entrance way. She’d kept them on the one street that seemed to meander in the direction they needed. She didn’t know if that path was the one the being had spoken of, but it felt right.
Murmurs caught her attention. Shea lifted her head just slightly. She’d chosen a spot away from the fires, not wanting to be around anyone right now.
Braden conferred with a couple of men. The furtive way they moved warned Shea it wouldn’t be a good idea to be seen watching them. She put her head down just as Braden looked in her direction. She held still, waiting until there was no movement before looking up again. Just in time to see Braden disappear into the city.
Now, where was he going at a time like this? Especially given no one was to leave camp. He might be a trusted general of Fallon’s, but that didn’t mean he could disregard orders. Right?
Shea sat up. Someone would just have to see what he was up to.
Mindful of the guards roaming the perimeter, Shea followed Braden. Careful to keep her movements swift and silent.
Following someone in a cavern with little light was not easy—especially when you didn’t dare risk a torch for fear that you would be seen. The crevasses in the ceiling let in a little light from the moon and stars, enough that she wasn’t totally blind.
She stumbled on unseen obstacles more than a time or two. Each time her heart leapt into her throat.
As they moved further and further from the camp, leaving the perimeter behind, Shea became convinced that Braden was up to something. Why else would he have left? Especially when he’d agreed with her that they should lock down camp.
It dawned on her that she was following a Trateri general, a man as trained as Fallon in the art of warfare, without backup or having even told anyone where she was going. She wanted to kick her own ass for her stupidity.
This wasn’t smart. She should have told Caden or at least brought someone along.
A figure loomed out of the shadows. Shea made an undignified sound—a cross between a squeak and a scream—as hands grabbed her. Her training kicked in. She swept one arm up trying to break his grip. Her assailant countered by grabbing her hand and bending it sharply backwards.
She gasped, her body bowing to keep the hand from breaking.
“Shea?” The grip on her hand relaxed. A torch flared, illuminating their surroundings. Braden stared at her in disbelief and suspicion. “What are you doing here?”
Shea stared at him for a long moment. No lie came to mind. She had nothing prepared.
“You’re following me.” It was a statement; not a question.
She nodded.
He gave an angry sigh. “Why?”
Because he’d been very suspicious skulking around the camp. Because she was curious.
She doubted he’d be happy with either of those answers.
“Why are you out here?” she asked going on the offense. “Caden said no one was to leave.”
He gave her a grim look. “I’m a general.”
“Does the Trateri version of that word mean someone who doesn’t have to follow orders?” Shea asked before she could think better of it. She was out here alone, and he’d already proven he was better at combat than she was. The last thing she wanted to do was antagonize him.
His gaze said he was not amused.
“I think you’re right. I should head back.” Shea tried to step around him and was brought up short when he lifted an arm and blocked her way.
“No, I think you should accompany me.” The smile he gave her didn’t quite reach his eyes. “So I can ensure your safety, of course.”
Shea kept any skepticism she felt inside. She didn’t want to antagonize him. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Camp’s not far.”
It was a subtle reminder that someone might hear her scream and come running.
He looked over her head and then ran his eyes over her. “And how do you plan on finding your way back without a light? I see no torch on you.”
Shea glanced back. There were enough buildings standing between them and camp that any light was blocked. Only darkness waited behind her.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. I just need to find my way around one or two buildings.”
“Nonsense. Fallon would never forgive me if something happened to you on the way back.” He waited a beat. “Unless there’s some reason why you don’t want me around?”
The implacable look on Braden’s face said he wasn’t going to let this go. Shea was left with two choices—resist and try her luck on making it back with an angry general hunting her or go along and wait for her chance to escape.
She gave him a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “No, you’re right. Trying to find my way back in the dark is madness. I’ll stay with you.”
He gave her a slow nod, looking less than convinced of her words. He turned, saying over his shoulder, “Stay close. We wouldn’t want you falling into any sinkholes.”
Shea strides stuttered before she forced herself to calm. It was hard not to see that last comment as anything but a subtle threat given what had happened to Fallon.
“You never did say what you were doing out here,” Shea said after a long moment of walking through the abandoned city.
“I’m looking for something.”
“Something or someone?” Shea didn’t know why she was pushing him. She didn’t really want an answer right then, especially given there were plenty of places to hide her body with no one being the wiser. They would think she’d just wandered off. Maybe looking for Fallon, though she was sure some would say she was abandoning them.
The gaze he cast her over her shoulder was hard to decipher. After a pause, he said, “You are very curious.”
Shea shut her mouth. They walked past several smaller buildings, many of which might have been houses in the city’s long ago past. She slowed down, letting the space between them widen.
“I couldn’t understand what Fallon saw in you. There he was telling me how he wanted to strengthen his hold on the Lowlands, that he wanted to put any thought of conquering the Highlands on hold.” He looked at her and stopped. “What are you doing?”
She feigned an innocent expression, her heart thundering in her chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Am I walking too fast?”
She shook her head.
“Then keep up. I want this done before the army awakens.”