“Now that’s more like it,” Fagren said, his black, dirty teeth looking like fangs in the dim light of the flickering lanterns. “Respect, that’s what I want from you stinking people, if your kind could even be called that. And I will get to all of you, if it takes me a lifetime to do it, one by one,” said Fagren.
“Why do you hate mages so much?” This was not going well at all. How could I have been so stupid?
“Ask that monster Morgana,” he spat. “She murdered my whole family; she didn’t even spare my infant son,” he said, standing up. “You mages think you rule the world, but I will prove you wrong. Torturing a Silverthorne is going to give me more pleasure than I could have ever hoped for.”
I winced at the word torture and tried to push myself up, managing to stand on unsteady feet.
“Take her to the cellar,” Fagren commanded, his voice cruel. “I will deal with her personally.”
I felt sick. So much for trying to talk my way out of it. It had backfired. Rough hands dragged me across the crowded room toward a back door. I struggled, but it was no use; Fagren’s men surrounded me.
Suddenly I was dragged to a stop. The crowd tensed, everyone turning toward the entrance to the inn. I couldn’t see what they were looking at.
“Let the girl go,” a deep voice growled from somewhere in the crowd.
I didn’t have to look up to see who it was. Even in this situation and as scared as I was, I would know that voice anywhere. A wave of calm washed over me, and even the hands that held me tightly seemed to waver. The man holding me turned me around forcefully to face the newcomer.
Rafe strode purposefully through the crowd of Fagren’s men. His walk was like a panther: slow but sure. His obsidian-black cloak rippled about him like water as he moved. “I said let the girl go, or you will have to answer to me.”
The crowd parted to let him pass, and no one dared to stop him. He wore his mask, and in a few strides he stood beside me.
What was he doing here? At that moment it didn’t matter; I was so relieved to see him. I knew he would get me out of here. The other man let go of my arm as if I had burned him.
Rafe’s gray eyes were fierce, and he looked straight at me as he spoke. “I knew you had an affinity for getting yourself into trouble, but this is ridiculous.” The tone of his voice still held a hint of amusement despite the circumstances.
I felt my heartbeat quicken, and it wasn’t from fright this time. He looked at me as if he could see right into my head. His face was hard and set in a mocking smile, but I could see the anger behind the façade.
Rafe lowered his voice, and his sharp eyes narrowed. “Are you all right?”
I nodded quickly.
“Good.” He turned toward Fagren and his men, putting his arm gently around my waist. Even though my legs had stopped shaking, I still felt uneasy. He inclined his head in greeting. “Fagren.”
“Ah, the Black Wolf,” drawled the lion-haired man, looking menacing but somehow afraid of Rafe. Yet how could he be? He was surrounded by at least twenty men, and Rafe was alone. “What a pleasure to see you.”
I flicked a glance at Rafe. His eyes did not betray a hint of emotion. Why had he come? How did he know I was here?
“She’s coming with me, Fagren, and there is nothing any of you can do about it.” Rafe’s voice had an edge to it that I hadn’t heard before.
“I wasn’t going to do anything to the girl, you know,” Fagren growled. “She was part of my payment for services rendered. I was only going to detain her for the night and let her go in the morning.”
Rafe’s eyes narrowed. “Who paid you?”
“The Blackwaters,” said Fagren promptly. It seemed his loyalty wavered with a threat to his safety.
“You could have refused,” said Rafe scathingly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “You should learn to stay away from the Evolon students. One day the mastermage is going to have your head on a pike.”
Fagren laughed. “Right you are, my boy. I will await the day in anticipation.” He waved us past. “Go. Take the girl. I got my money anyway.”
“Come on,” Rafe said lightly in my ear.
My heart hammered in my chest, and I prayed that he couldn’t hear it. I couldn’t believe he had come for me. No one moved toward us as the Black Wolf guided me slowly though the crowd and out of that horrifying place, one hand around my waist as if he would never let me go.
First Love
Before I knew it, we were outside. The fresh air was a blessing, and I inhaled deeply, instantly feeling better. Rafe led me down the dark alleys, keeping to the shadows, his arm fastened securely around my waist. I didn’t protest. He was walking so fast I needed the support to keep up.
When we entered the upper town, Rafe pulled me into a shadowy corner, took off his mask, and held me up against the wall, one hand resting on the stone wall behind me. His beautiful, gray eyes looked angrier than I had ever seen before. “What do you think you were doing?”
My own emotions wavered, and my gratitude turned into anger. Who was he to ask me what I was doing?
“What were you doing there?” I fought hard to control my temper. “I mean, not that I am not grateful for you rescuing me, but how did you know I would be there? What is it that you are not telling me? Are they the people you hang around with?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Hang?”
“Keep company with,” I retorted quickly. “Murderers and thieves . .
