Free Fields of Blood (The DeathSpeaker Codex Book 2) by Sonya Bateman

before. When he saw Reun, his expression tightened for a few seconds. But then he smiled. “Reun,” he said. “I remember your name. You’re...my friend.”
    “Yes, Lord Daoin. I am.” Reun shuddered and stepped forward.
    “Father, your friend would like to make you a promise,” Taeral said. “Will you hear him?”
    “A promise,” Daoin repeated, his brow furrowed. “Promises must be...kept.”
    “Aye, that’s right. And he’ll keep this one.”
    Without prompting, Reun dropped to a knee in front of Daoin. “I hereby vow to protect you and keep you from harm, and to protect those who dwell in this house and keep them from harm, and to do no harm myself to anyone in this house, until such time as Taeral Ciar’ Ansghar returns from his journey.” He bowed his head and traced an X on his chest with a finger.
    Trails of light appeared along the path of the X to burn briefly, and then fade away.
    Daoin frowned a bit. “Are you going to live in my castle, then?” he said.
    “Yes, Lord Daoin. If you’ll have me.”
    “Sure. There’s plenty of room,” Daoin said. “You don’t have to call me Lord, though. It’s not really a castle,” he added in a loud whisper.
    Reun looked up at him with a genuine smile. “But you are my lord. And I am your...knight. Here to serve you and defend your castle.”
    “Then you are Sir Reun.” Daoin returned the smile with simple innocence. “Come, Sir Reun. I’ll show you to your room, and mine.”
    Reun rose and gave Taeral a wordless glance of apology, then followed Daoin out.
    “He’ll care for him,” Taeral said when they were gone. “And we must leave as soon as possible, if we’re to help your family, a’ghreal .”
    “Thank you,” she whispered. “Taeral, I’m so sorry about—”
    “Enough,” he said, not unkindly. “The subject needs no further discussion. As you mentioned, it is the past.”
    She nodded. “All right. Give me fifteen minutes to pack, and I’ll meet you out front.”
    “I’m going to assume we’re driving there,” I said. “Should be faster than trying to deal with the trains. I’ll go get the van ready.”
    “Very well. Sadie and I will join you soon.” Taeral’s features twisted in exasperation. “I’ve a need to visit the fourth floor and threaten the Duchenes, so they’ll not kill my father’s...knight.”
    I thought I saw him smirking as he walked away. But I probably imagined it.
     
     

C HAPTER 13

     
    T aeral apparently didn’t know how to drive, and Sadie was a wreck, so I was elected. Not that I minded. No one but me had ever driven my van, and I wasn’t sure I wanted that to change. Besides, it was only about two and a half hours to Elk Heights—I’d put in more road time than that on a daily basis for years, moving bodies.
    Sadie took the passenger seat, and Taeral sat on the floor just behind us. I’d offered him my bed, or the stretcher, but he declined for some reason. Even after I swore I’d never transported a body on the bed.
    I wasn’t that surprised. Most everyone got squeamish about corpses and the places they might have been. My views were an extreme exception.
    Conversation was nonexistent until we hit the Jersey Turnpike and the long stretch of I-80. A few minutes after we got through the toll booth and settled into cruising speed, Sadie shook herself to alertness and frowned. “I have to tell you guys something,” she said. “I don’t want to, but I need to warn you.”
    “About what?” I said.
    “My pack.” She stared out the windshield, tucking her hands under her arms. “They hate the Fae, obviously. Most weres do. But they hate humans who know what we are a lot more. I don’t know what they’re going to make of you, Gideon. The thing is, whatever you do…don’t let them get the idea that you’re involved with me. Either of you.”
    I couldn’t see Taeral’s face, but I’d bet he managed to keep it expressionless. So I’d ask the obvious. “Is it a problem if I