Healer's Touch (Deadly Touch #1) [Complete]

Chapter 9: Your Secret

She didn't squeal. After the initial shock, she knew it was Jonas. He released her once they were hidden from the view of casual passers-by.

"You shouldn't be out here." Jonas poked his head around the corner of the inn, checking she hadn't been followed.

"Neither should you," she said, resting her clenched hands on her hips. "Yet here you are. And you knew I'd come, or you wouldn't have waited on me."

He turned back to her. "I didn't want you goin' alone. But it ain't safe for you to come. You should go back."

"You know I won't."

He appraised her before replying. "I know. But you gotta do exactly what I tell you."

"Okay."

"Alright. It don't look like anyone heard you leave. Come on." Jonas stepped onto the street and Llew followed.

They had crossed the bridge on their way into Stelt. The river ran through a deep stretch of green grass on either side. There would be no light from nearby buildings, only what the moon threw down in between scurrying cloud cover. The night air was cold, and Llew hoped that whatever this Braph had to say he would say it fast, but she wanted to hear what he had to say – especially about her parents.

"Who is Braph?" she asked, trotting to keep up with Jonas's brisk strides.

"Someone I'd rather you didn't meet."

"Why? He called you 'brother'."

"That's because I am— he is. My pa was his pa first. And he ain't never let me forget it." Jonas maintained his pace and Llew had to throw in a few running strides to keep up.

"He talks so—"

"Like he went and got educated?" He cocked an eyebrow at her.

Llew floundered, thinking she'd insulted him. But he didn't look upset.

"Yeah, well, so did I. But I didn't feel the need to go denyin' my roots, did I?"

"Which are?"

Jonas clamped his lips tight for a few strides before relenting. "We grew up on a farm in Aldia, far north o' Quaver. Mostly kept us out o' trouble."

"Mostly?"

Jonas kept walking in silence. Hmm. It seemed, if she wanted to kill a conversation with Jonas, she simply had to ask about his family. They continued in silence.

When they arrived at the bridge, Jonas peered into the night and checked both sides of the river; there was no sign of the leather-clad man.

"Do you think he'll come?"

"He'll come." Arms folded; Jonas leaned back against the end of the bridge.

"Why do you think he wanted you to bring me?"

"'Cause it's the only way he'll have any chance of beatin' me in a fight."

"You think you'll fight?"

"He's got it comin'."

Llew stooped and plucked a handful of grass blades. She started throwing them into the cold air one by one until she got bored. Then she brushed the last blades from her hands and hugged herself, rubbing her hands up and down her biceps. The cold was seeping right through her jacket.

"Why would my being here give him a better chance of beating you? Doesn't it put the odds in our favour?"

Jonas was silent a while. "'Cause it's harder to fight when I gotta worry "bout him hurtin' you."