Chapter 4: Enemies, Rescues, and the Truth Unmasked

Just as I probed his core for the source of the problem, a hand grabbed mine. I jumped.

He clamped down on my wrist, grip like iron.

In an instant, a black bug shot at my face like lightning—its wings dark blue and sharp. My heart leapt into my throat.

Carter had freed his hands somehow, opened his eyes, and glared at me coldly. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.

...

As if I’d be scared of you. I grinned, more bravado than sense.

I twisted my wrist, grabbed him instead, and tossed him aside. He landed with a thud.

My knife slid out two inches, flashed silver, and sliced the black bug in half. The blade gleamed in the lamplight.

The corpse hit the floor, the wood sizzled and corroded. I wrinkled my nose at the smell.

Seriously, I just wanted to do a good deed! Is this my reward?

Carter rolled to the other side, tearing off the ropes. He staggered, still pale. To someone who didn’t know better, he looked like a sickly heartthrob. I almost wanted to tuck him in.

I felt a little sorry for him. Not much, but a little.

His look was unfriendly, but now there was some wariness mixed in. Like he wasn’t sure what I’d do next.

“Hey, I came to save you, don’t mistake me for a bad guy!” I called out, defensive.

I held my knife, raised both hands, and stepped back three paces to show I meant no harm. My heart thudded in my chest.

Carter stared at me for a long time, suspicious. The silence stretched.

“You…”

His voice was so hoarse, it startled even me. He probably hadn’t had a drop of water in days.

After a pause, he asked, “Where is this?”

He looked around, frowning in discomfort. There was tea on the table, but I bet he wouldn’t dare drink it. I wouldn’t either.

“Scarlet Moon Club, in the capital.”

As I spoke, I picked up my whiskey flask, shook it, and tossed it to him. It landed with a soft thud.

Under his angry, wary gaze, I said, “The tea here isn’t safe. If you don’t mind, I have whiskey?” I tried to sound casual, but my nerves were shot.

If you dare drink it, you definitely won’t die. Probably.

I was just teasing, but to my surprise, Carter glanced at me, uncorked the flask, and drank all the whiskey in one go. My jaw dropped.

My heart ached. Buddy, that whiskey was expensive!

He tossed the flask back, slumped against the beam, head tilted in exhaustion, dazed. I saw confusion, fear, even a hint of despair on his face. He looked lost.

I wondered, did I really do anything that bad to you? Guilt gnawed at me.

I hesitantly spoke up:

“Carter, you’re a big guy—it’s been over a year. Since I came to save you, can you let go of that bowl of bugs… okay?” My voice was pleading.

I’ve had enough of this cat-and-mouse game!

Hearing this, he rubbed his wrist where I’d grabbed him, turned to look at me, eyes complicated. I couldn’t read him.

After a long moment, Carter sneered, “None of that matters anymore…”

Huh?

I was about to speak when he said quietly, “Forgive my poor eyesight. I didn’t recognize the true heir of Pine Hollow Mountain. Sorry about that.”

I was shocked!

How did he know!

Carter glanced at my knife. I’d left in a hurry and forgot to wrap up the ‘Drunkard’ engraving on the handle. Rookie mistake.

Carter propped up one leg, gaze rising to meet mine. “Isn’t that so, Jolene?”

There are two legendary knives on Pine Hollow Mountain. One is Old Glory. One is Drunkard. Dad’s been gone for years, but the knives’ reputations live on. Sometimes I wonder if the knives are more famous than we ever were.

But it’s the knives that are fierce, not me or my big brother!

So—

“You’ve got the wrong person.”

I put on a straight face and said it seriously.

Lying through my teeth is my specialty. I could win an award for it.

“I picked up this knife on the road.”

Carter’s expression was cold and silent. But his eyes said: Are you kidding me?

Tsk, this guy is hard to fool.

“Hey, really, believe me, I’m not Jolene. I’m Noah, Noah!” I added a little whine for good measure.

He snorted, bracing against the beam to stand, sneering, “The master of Old Glory has always been cautious, never as reckless and bold as you.” He shot me a look that said he wasn’t buying a word of it.

What the—Noah’s cowardice is famous even in the bayou!

Heh, I’ll have something to tease him about when I get back. That’ll be worth the trouble.

I was about to keep denying it when I heard footsteps outside the door. My heart skipped.

That Second Boss again?

We both tensed. The air felt electric.

Carter’s energy was a mess. If he got agitated, I worried he’d cough up blood. If he tried to escape, he probably couldn’t even make it out the window. My stomach twisted with worry.

He was frowning, pale, gritting his teeth in pain, ready to bolt if he had to.

Ah, might as well see this through. No turning back now.

Ignoring the mess, I rushed to him. He tried to dodge! I grabbed his arm anyway.

Heh, scream all you want—no one’s coming to save you!

Under his wary gaze, I grabbed his flailing hands and threw him over my shoulder. My back screamed in protest.

“Don’t move! If you fall and die, don’t blame me!” I warned, trying to sound tough.

As the door creaked open, I rolled out the window with him. The world spun as we landed.

Snapped a window lattice, knocked off a bunch of shingles. My teeth rattled.

Looks skinny, but heavy as hell. My back would be sore for a week.

Carter clung to my shoulder, body tense, making my back ache. His breathing was ragged, his breath warm on my neck. There was a faint scent to it. Honestly, kind of awkward. I tried not to blush.

When we landed, we were already several streets away from Scarlet Moon Club. A back alley, surrounded by low houses. The silence felt like a blessing.

Crap! My whiskey flask! I forgot it! I groaned out loud.

All Carter’s fault!

I glared at him, hoping he’d feel at least a little guilty.

After landing, Carter pressed his lips tight, stood a dozen feet away, looking anywhere but at me. His hand, which I’d grabbed, was stiff, not knowing where to put it, looking awkward all over. Like I’d molested him. Honestly, I kind of had—but not this time. What’s he so shy for?

Well, I had—but not this time. What’s he so shy for?

Seeing no one chasing us, I asked, “Who gave you such a serious injury? Wasn’t me, right?”

Carter’s face darkened and he turned to leave. I could tell he was holding back the urge to punch me. His patience was wearing thin.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

I blocked his way with my knife, like a highway robber. No way was I letting him limp off alone.

“With your injury, aren’t you going to see a doctor? If you faint on the road, I won’t save you again. Next time, it might not be Scarlet Moon Club—you’ll be eaten alive by wolves. Aren’t you scared?” I teased, grinning.

...

Fed up with my chatter, Carter gritted his teeth. “What’s it got to do with you? I don’t need your pity.” He sounded sulky, almost like a kid.

Ah, I even heard a hint of sulkiness. He sounds so aggrieved. I almost felt bad for him.

“Misunderstanding, misunderstanding.” I tried to smooth things over.

I looked at him earnestly. “I admit, it was my fault first. I really do feel guilty… By the way, the bug I ate—was it called Destiny Beetle?”

He froze, clearly not expecting me to know. His eyes widened.