Depths of Madness - Erik Scott De Bie [77]
"Gods, 'Light-" Liet started, but Davoren laughed him to silence.
If the halfling had been afraid before, she was truly terrified at this news. She looked up with eyes wide as tureens. "You should come with us! Where 'tis safe-er, safer/"She buried her head in the shadowdancer's belly. "I can't lose you, too!"
The elf beamed at her as though she had not a thought in her head. "Do not worry for my safety, little one. 'Tis but a morning stroll-like you took in Crimel, yes?"
"No!" The halfling's eyes flashed. "At least take one of us-take me, aye?"
"The half-wench raises a decent argument," said Davoren. "Perhaps you should take someone, to make sure you are not hunting treasure-or arranging to betray us."
"Don't be silly," said Twilight with a laugh. "Survival takes priority over gold. The simple acceptance of this fact is precisely what keeps the numbers of folk in my profession breathing steadily. And if I meant to slay you, you'd be quite dead."
Davoren would not be deterred, though he looked a little unsettled by her manic demeanor. "Yet, we have only the word of a thief and a liar. I insist you take another."
"Insistence noted!" Twilight said brightly. "Liet-"
"Oh, very well," said Davoren, rolling his eyes and turning away. He waved dismissively. "Take your handsome swain- this choice does not surprise me. And I'd be happy without his useless carcass slowing us."
"Liet," Twilight continued. "I place you in command."
"What?" Liet and Davoren exclaimed at once.
Twilight pinched Liet's cheek. "Listen to the lad's word as you would mine," she said. "As you have followed me, so you must follow him in my stead."
"I 'must' do nothing!" Davoren roared, ruby energy flickering around his hands and arms. His fingers twitched toward the snarling dragon scepter at his belt. "I have sworn no oath-certainly none that involves following a bare-faced boy! I refuse!"
"Well then," said Twilight, suddenly serious. "I shall simply have to kill you." Betrayal hissed out and she leaned back into a fighting stance. Her eyes brooked no debate, and she showed no sign of mirth.
After a long, motionless breath, Davoren laughed. "Very well," he said. "Play your game. I care not. I shall do as you ask, for now. Only know that mine shall be the last word, the last thrust, and the last smile."
"You just keep reassuring yourself of that, handsome," Twilight said as she sheathed the rapier. The warlock, it seemed, was successfully cowed.
As Gargan, Slip, and Davoren made the final preparations to move, Liet caught Twilight's arm. "Is this wise?" he asked. "I don't think-"
She touched his face with her fingers and traced down his stubbly cheek. "Nothing I do is wise," she said. She touched her lips against his. "Only prudent."
Then she kissed him, lightly at first, then harder, pressing her body against his. Not enough to warrant an outcry from the others, who stared.
Her farewell stunned Liet, remembering all the times Twilight had sent him from her side, so as to keep their affair a secret. Had she lost her mind? What was-
"Hmm," Twilight murmured. She nuzzled at his chin.
"Be wary," said Liet.
"I always am," said Twilight whimsically. With that, she was gone, vanishing into the shadows of the yawning east doorway.
"She… kissed you," Slip said, with awe, confusion, and something like jealousy. Liet wasn't sure who Slip was jealous over.
"For luck," said Liet. "Now, let's be going."
Stupid, stupid, stupid wench. Twilight berated herself as she made her way down the other path. Are you falling in love, or are you falling apart?
Both, she guessed.
She knew she shouldn't have kissed him. But she'd been mad, right-that's what they'd think, right?
Reality intruded, and Twilight was thankful for it.
Thirteen fiendish lizards, brandishing sickle blades and whips, crouched hissing and slavering in alcoves along a tight, winding corridor. They waited for a