Free TwistedRevenge by Mia Bishop Page B

walked. He was tall, burly, dressed in
simple linens, leather boots, with a sturdy ax propped on his shoulder. He gave
them a nod, sending his shoulder-length brown hair dancing around his broad
face. “Well met, travelers.”
    Rowan did her best not to laugh, but images of Ren Faire
patrons were the only thing she could think of. All the people dressed up and
talking in over-accented old English. But this wasn’t a Renaissance Faire. She
dipped her head. “Hello.”
    Luc, on the other hand, glared at the man and gave no
indication of greeting the stranger.
    The man cleared his throat. “Are you traveling to the border
of the pack lands?”
    Luc immediately bristled. “Why would you ask that?”
    “Well, it’s the only place in this direction.”
    Rowan tugged on Luc’s sleeve to try to calm him but he
snarled. “And what business would it be of yours?”
    The man held up his hands. “No business of mine at all, it’s
just that the road is washed out about a mile up. It seems someone dammed up
the creek and flooded out the lowlands. I heard the last remaining cottages
there were wiped out.”
    She gasped. “The cottages are flooded? Luc, what about my
grandma’s house?”
    Theron arched a brow. “You are going to your grandmother’s?”
    “Yes, but if it’s flooded then…”
    Luc rolled his eyes. “We’ll take our chances.”
    The man seemed unbothered by Luc’s reaction. Instead he
turned his attention to Rowan. “And what about you, miss? Will you take your
chances?”
    “I… Um… I go where he goes.”
    “Well, in that case I invite you both to come with me, I
know a spot a few miles upstream where there is one remaining bridge. I am
heading that way.” He tapped the ax blade. “Besides in these woods you never
know when an ax might come in handy.”
    The offer of an extra weapon to protect them was all she
heard. Rowan nodded her head before Luc could refuse the offer. “Thank you, we’d
like that.”
    A sharp tug on her hand almost knocked her on her ass. Luc
snarled. “We would?”
    She turned around and pushed him several feet away from the
stranger and whispered. “Look, if this person knows a spot where we can cross,
then we should go along with him for now.”
    “And what if he’s a spy?”
    She gave him a dull stare. “Do wolves use spies?”
    “As a matter of fact they do. Remember, they had one at the
inn. You can’t afford to be gullible in this realm.”
    “I am not gullible.”
    The stranger cleared his throat. “I hate to break up this
lovers’ quarrel but we should get off the main road soon. There are many dangers
on this path.”
    Rowan spun on her heels. “Lead the way. I’m Rowan, by the
way.” She extended her hand to him.
    He clasped her hand in a friendly shake. “Pleasure, Rowan. I’m
Theron.” His head jerked toward Luc. “And who is your surly companion?”
    She giggled and followed after him. “That’s Luc.” She called
over her shoulder, “Luc, this is Theron. Theron, Luc. Now that you two are
acquainted, can we pick up the pace?”
    Luc slung the pack up higher on his shoulder and muttered. “Only
if I can roast him for dinner.”
    She shot him a look to tell him she’d heard that but kept
walking.

Chapter Five
     
    Luc pushed for Rowan to practice with her blades but Theron
kept her busy talking. She could sense Luc’s agitation and when Theron
suggested they camp for the night Luc snapped, “We are not stopping. Not here
and not with you.”
    Theron stopped. “What do you mean not with me? You have a
problem with me, friend?”
    “A problem? Yeah, I’ve got a problem. You come out of
nowhere, put us on a detour and now want to drag your feet and camp.” Luc
pointed at Rowan. “Red, we aren’t staying here.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “Excuse me? It’s
getting dark out. I’m tired and you know it’s not safe out there. We are better
off in a group.”
    “You are putting yourself in danger. I’m telling you this
guy