Page 66 of Sword & Sacrifice

A hand covered the nearest book and tucked it close to the mage’s side, out of Penn’s reach.

I need to stop fucking second-guessing everything and act.

The slowing of the carriage drew Penn’s attention back to the road. On their way to Swallow’s Nest, Niall had forced the reins into Penn’s hands at every opportunity. Since leaving the small town, Niall had insisted Penn stay in the carriage, only allowing him two or three breaks throughout the day to stretch his legs or piss.

It was a little soon for another break, but Penn wouldn’t complain. He wanted to put some space between himself and the mage, take the time to clear his head and think.

The carriage door opened, and Niall’s eyes raked over Penn. His lips curled up as he examined Penn’s original appearance. “Well done, master. Now that he looks like himself again, he can drive.”

Penn hesitated, looking between the two mages. Despite what he’d promised, Valistair’s attention had already returned to the grimoires. “Where am I driving?”

“Find us a border crossing,” Niall said, holding the door open and impatiently waving Penn forward. “Somewhere we can drive the carriage through. I’m not walking through the bloody mountains.” When Penn didn’t move fast enough, Niall reached for his wrist. “We don’t have all day!”

“Careful, Niall,” Valistair said, his tone casual as he flipped to the next page. “He’s likely to bite.”

Penn bared his teeth in agreement.

Niall hesitated, eyes narrowing and lips pinching into a sour pout. “We shouldn’t be dragging around an untrained mutt.”

“You misunderstand,” the mage murmured, his mismatched eyes sliding up to Penn. “I want someone willing to draw blood for me.”

“Alistair, I—”

“However.” Valistair grabbed Penn’s chin and slowly stroked a thumb over his lips, parting them to test one sharp canine. “We don’t want to bite our friends, do we? Be a good boy and show him a clear path into the mountains.”

A shiver ran down Penn’s spine at the hidden threat. He waited until Valistair released him, then climbed out of the carriage and into the driver’s seat.

Wake up.

Blade buried in a man’s belly.

Bounty poster.

Pack.

Run.

Knocked out.

Wake up again.

Listen to Maksim monologue.

Whipped.

Grab the axe.

Throw it—

Wake up.

Blade buried in a man’s belly.

Bounty poster.

Wake up again.

Listen to Maksim monologue.