ArcKnight (The ArcKnight Chronicles #1)

Chapter Nine

Lilliana

I wrapped my wrist, feeling a stinging burn from practicing all week long deep within the joint. I just soaked it, but the constant ache made me realize how much I missed my talisman. It had a certain amount of healing magic in it. Even though I had Ephrem's, which was technically my original talisman, once we'd traded gems only the one stolen from me could heal my aches and complaints.

That was a major loss.

"Here." Ephrem took my hand into his, seeing that I was having a hard time securing the bandage enough to keep it from slipping.

"I can do it," I groaned, stubbornly relenting. I hated asking for help, but it seemed that attitude was flying out the window as of late.

"Sure. I can see you're doing just perfect without help." He smirked as he loosened the bandage to rewrap it. Once done, he gave my hand a sympathetic pat before turning away and grabbing his jacket. "I got something for you today."

I perked up immediately. "You did?"

"I went to a medicinal worker I get stuff from when I'm in need of a health boost."

My shoulders drooped. Great. He got me some healing drugs. Perfect. I was hoping for a present or something. The lackluster life here in the Outlands part of the city made me want to scream. So what if I was a pampered princess? One did not enjoy the humdrum life after knowing what could've been, even when it was all my fault that I was here.

"Here." Ephrem handed me a small glass vial with a corked top. Colorless liquid sloshed within, silver in appearance.

"What is it?"

"It's a healing potion procured from a reliable source in the forest. And I got a healing salve to rub into your sore spots."

"Well, that's reassuring. Drugs from mysterious peddlers who live in the woods. I'm feeling quite confident here."

"Just drink it. You'll feel tons better."

"Says the person about to slip someone a roofie."

He grinned and tossed the bandage aside. He squeezed some salve onto his palm and held it out to me.

"Here, give me your hand."

I did as he asked and let him rub the strong-scented salve into my wrist. It smelled like tea tree oil mixed with cough syrup. I wrinkled my nose up at the stench but let him work it in until my skin was bright pink and the soreness was effectively massaged away.

I glanced up to watch him concentrate as he worked. It was oddly intimate and sent a prickle of gooseflesh up my arm. The attention relaxed me and set my insides aflutter in an unexpected way. His hands were soft yet firm and not overlarge but not small either. Neatly trimmed nails and tanned skin that could massage in just the right way were a total turn-on. I squirmed under the rush of feelings he gave me.

"How's that?" he asked, leaning back to grab the wrap before he began rolling it over my skin.

"That was... fine." My breathy voice gave away the dreamy state he'd left me in, so I cleared my throat. "Thank you."

"Don't forget to drink your roofie-infused cocktail." He winked and stood up. I already missed his touch.

"Wait, what? Don't make jokes like that! It's not funny, and I won't be drinking it now."

Ephrem rolled his eyes as he slipped his jacket on. "Suit yourself. I'm not the one unaccustomed to hard training and bitching about every little ache and sore muscle. Besides, it was your joke to begin with." He winked once more right before he started for the door.

"Where are you going?" I jumped to my feet and stood in the doorway, blocking his way.

"Out."

"Why?"

"If you haven't noticed, I don't have room service here. There's a thing called a grocery store where I buy food and necessities and haul them back here all by myself."

"You can't send your friend?"

"He's not a golden retriever."

I frowned. He was often leaving the apartment to run errands. Besides our training sessions in the downstairs gym, I hadn't left the building in over a week. I was getting cabin fever.

"Can I go?"

It was his turn to frown. His features darkened at the suggestion.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Oh come on! Why not?"

"If the people who stole your talisman see you out there, they might expedite their plans for world domination." His smile returned, but it didn't hide his concerns. Too late. I'd already seen his concern for my safety. It sent a warm drizzle down my insides to know how protective he'd become.

"Okay. But if you see anything or find out anything, you have to tell me immediately."

"Will do, m'lady." He smirked and motioned toward the hall. "Can I get by now?"

"Oh." I moved and let him pass. "And get me some Skittles."

His face contorted at the mention of the sugary snack.

"Just one pack. Please? I have a sugar addiction," I added, giving him a sickeningly sweet smile. "Withdrawals suck!"

"All right. Just one. I'll be back soon."

"Okay," I said. I watched him head toward the elevator before closing the door and locking all ten locks he had attached to it.

Paranoid much?

I sighed and slipped down onto the couch. I didn't want to watch TV or do anything else really. I was tired of being held up in this prison. It wasn't that bad, but I loved the outdoors. I knew it wasn't safe, and he was right; if someone saw me, I could be in real danger. Not that I wasn't already in danger with my talisman somewhere out there. Both our lives were in peril, and here I was sitting on my ass doing nothing.

This wasn't me. I couldn't just sit here and wait for my destiny to slam into me like a freight train. Hell no.

I peered down at the bottle of healing elixir and yanked the cork out. Downing the fluid in one swallow, I hoped it would do its magic and help my aching bones. It burned going down, like a swig of pure alcohol, making me sputter and cough. I bent over as the liquid fire spilled down my chest and across my stomach. I felt it seep down and across my skin as tiny pricks stung my entire body.

He should've warned me that it would be unbelievably unpleasant to ingest. Of course, he left that part out. I wouldn't have refused it like a little wuss. It pained me to admit how so very right he'd been that I wasn't as hard a warrior as I'd thought myself to be. In fact, I couldn't be softer than a cotton candy puff. If I ever made it back to my pack's stronghold, I'd hang my trainers for going so easy on me. It had done me no favors.

A moment later, the burning subsided, and I could breathe without tensing up again. Flexing my wrist, I felt a huge difference. No pain! I grinned and jumped to my feet. It was time to get busy finding that traitorous bitch so I could get my talisman back. There was no telling where she was, but I'd pick Ephrem's brain when he got back and make him take me around the city. If the Outlands didn't cough her up, I'd march right over to the MarkTier stronghold and find her myself.

How did I know she was there? Call it intuition, but I'd bet my left arm that she wasn't hiding in ArcKnight territory, and it'd be beneath her to hide in the Outlands. She'd grown up a noblewoman. Plus, I bet she needed more talismans. There were only two places in the world to find them: The ArcKnight and MarkTier palaces.

I was betting on the latter.