Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

All in pieces.

Her stomach dropped.

“This is your communicator,” Azulon said.

Sten’s mouth flattened.

“It doesn’t work, I’m afraid.” Wexor looked apologetic. “It was damaged when we fled our mountain village.”

Sten crouched, and Carys bit her lip. This was no good to them.

Sten picked up some of the parts, studying them. Then he looked up. “I might be able to fix it. Azulon, do you have any tools?”

The man nodded. “Some.”

“Okay, if you can—”

A warrior sprinted into the village, sweating and puffing. He said something in a long string of the local language, and sharp gasps echoed all around.

“What’s wrong?” Carys asked.

Azulon’s face was grim. “Gek’Dragar ships are headed this way.”

Her chest locked. No.

Sten rose. “They must have tracked us here.”

“No,” Azulon said. “They do regular visits, to ensure we are not plotting against them.” He turned his head and spat on the ground. “Come, and bring the communication unit.”

Sten scooped up the fabric and slid an arm around Carys.

“Thank you, Wexor,” she said.

The other Ti-Lore nodded. “Be safe.”

Azulon led them to another hut. Inside, it looked like a meeting place with a thick, well-worn rug, and lots of chairs. Several Ti-Lore villagers swept aside the furniture and lifted the rug. There was a trap door beneath.

Crouching, Azulon opened it. “I’m sorry. It is dark and cramped, but you will be safe here.”

They’d etched a small cellar into the hard ground.

Sten leaped in with the comm parts, then lifted Carys down.

“I will return when they are gone,” Azulon said. “Stay still and quiet.”

“Be careful,” Carys said.

The Ti-Lore leader nodded, then closed the door, concealing them in darkness.

Sten pulled her onto his lap, and she pressed into him.

“If they find us…”

“They won’t.” He squeezed her hip.

“Can you really get the comm unit working?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to try.”