Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) by Jessie Eaker (best novels in english TXT) 📕

at Cabrina, who was intently inspecting the underside of a rock. If the Dark Avenyts didn’t typically use charms, then why did she? I shook my head. Another mystery, but for another time.

I stood. “We need to be moving. I’m sure Wort is out there somewhere looking for us.” I went to put Zofie over my shoulder again.

“Oh, one last thing. I can only talk to you while you’re in danger, so I’ll lose the ability when you get closer to the ruins. The princess says it has to do with how everything is connected up.”

I sighed and touched her face. “At least, I know she’s still around somewhere. Would you tell Zofie, I love her.”

“She heard you. What...? Now don’t start crying. Tears aren’t good for my insides... I’m a what...? OUCH!”

I couldn’t help but smile as I picked Zofie up and put her back across my shoulder.

I think Abe had finally met his match.

It was only a short while later that we began to feel the effects of the ruin’s area of misdirection. For me, it seemed easier the second time, and I followed Docila’s advice to focus on the landmarks. It worked fairly well to keep me on course. However, Cabrina and Fumiko were more affected and kept drifting off. I finally had to take Cabrina’s hand and make Fumiko hold my cloak.

Fumiko continued to favor her right side as we walked. I finally asked her about it.

“You’re injured, aren’t you? And don’t tell me nothing because I can see that it’s not.”

She stepped around a bush. “I was careless. Wort gave me a good hit and with a shovel, no less. I might have a broken rib. I’m lucky he wasn’t using his sword.”

I stopped, bringing both of them up short. I sighed. “You should have said something. Do you need to rest? Is there something I can do for you?”

She glanced behind us and shook her head. “No, we don’t have time. Maybe later, I’ll get you to help me bind it.”

Cabrina piped up. “She was so brave.” The youth was nearly bouncing with excitement. “While we were hiding, your mother decided we should make a run for the forest. We couldn’t stop her, and as we were leaving, Wort surprised us. Fumiko fought him, and she even managed to knock his sword away.” Cabrina got a little dreamy-eyed. “She was just like the heroes in the books my host was telling me about.”

I glanced to Fumiko. She just shrugged and looked away.

Cabrina frowned and continued. “But while she was distracted, Wort picked up a shovel and managed to get a hit in. It knocked her back at least ten feet. Then Lilith showed up and threatened to kill us all if we didn’t go in the house. Only Fumiko managed to escape. I tried to fight too...” she looked down. “Only, Wort punched me, and I fell down.” She unconsciously rubbed her face. “He hits pretty hard.”

I touched Fumiko’s arm, and she looked up in surprise. “You protected my family. I can’t thank you enough.”

She blushed and opened her mouth to say more, but paused and slowly shook her head, clearly deciding against it. Instead, she pointed up at the clouds starting to obscure the late afternoon sun. “We better get going,” she said. “I think the weather is going to change.”

A chill wind slipped around us to emphasize the point. I nodded and forged ahead.

The pull of the ruin’s misdirection got worse, and I had to correct myself a few times, but we somehow managed to make it through. Like before, the pressure to turn away suddenly stopped, and we stepped out into the clearing...

And I nearly tripped over a goat.

I glared at it in surprise as it gave me a curious stare and chewed on some dried grass. They brought the goats?

Spraggel, my sisters, and my mother rushed over to us.

“You made it,” my old master sounded surprised.

I set Zofie down and collapsed to all fours. My legs felt like water.

“What about Lilith and Wort?” asked Spraggel.

“I helped Lilith fall into her own portal, and thankfully, Wort caught the wrong end of a bear.”

I tried to rise to my feet, but my legs were none too happy at the prospect. I staggered, and they trembled but held. I looked to Zofie. We had Oddfrid’s orb portal, so now that we had the key, we could leave at any time. I shook my head. But while it would be nice to rest and leisurely return, we didn’t have that luxury. If we stayed here, or they even thought we were, they would keep trying until they figured out my family’s hiding place. I’m sure we left lots of clues for a determined someone to find. No, we had to lead them away. And in such a way that they didn’t come back.

I looked to Mother. “Would it be safe for you to stay here for a while? We need to deal with those following us.”

She nodded. “We’ll be fine. A little cold maybe, but there are plenty of places to shelter.”

Docila nodded. “After I found this place, I stashed some supplies here in case the soldiers came back. There’s also plenty of dried grass for the goats. We can last a couple of days, maybe even a week if we stretch it.”

I nodded. “Hopefully, you won’t have to wait that long.”

I sighed. “We’ll do our best to get them to follow us away.”

She gave me a worried look as only a mother could. “You’re not going to face that woman again, are you?”

I shrugged. “I certainly hope not. But there’s no other way.”

She shook her head. “You could stay here with us until she gets tired and leaves.”

I shook my head sadly. “No, I