Backs Against the Wall (Survival Series) by Tracey Ward Read Free Book Online Page B

remind me of the worst times of my very, very worst case scenario life.
    I manage to use my ASP to take dow n three on the way to the woods. My breathing hitches as I run toward them. I can’t afford to be scared but I can’t trust myself either, not with this jacked up arm. I struggle to stay calm, to be numb and smart as I work through them. Each one drops with a fractured skull and a hit to the temple just for good measure. Injured or no, it never hurts to be thorough. Only this does, it hurts. Physical activity of any kind, especially running or bashing in skulls, makes my arm throb to a painful rhythm.
    When I reach the woods and call out for Crenshaw, I’m shocked to see him emerge entirely from the shadows. He walks right up to me, staff ever in hand, and wraps his arms tightly around me without a word.
    “Cren,” I say awkwardly, my mouth pressed into the hood of his robe, “do you know you’re hugging me?”
    He pulls back, still holding onto my shoulders. His face is very nearly beaming. “Athena, I’d thought you lost for the ages.”
    I smile despite my discomfort at his proximity. “No, I’m still here.”
    “Thank the stars for small favors,” he says, gesturing to the blue, afternoon sky. “Come, sit with me awhile and tell me of your adventures to the great beyond.”
    He leads me through the bushes toward his hut, past the traps and snares meant to deter and murder anyone dumb enough to trespass here.
    “There’s not much to tell, really.”
    “They took you,” he says frankly, his face firm. Annoyed.
    “Yes.”
    “The rogues,” he grumbles as we enter his hut. He sits me down across from him at his small table. “They knew not with whom they were dealing. Athena! Goddess of War and Vengeance.”
    “ Amen to that.”
    “How did you escape?”
    I hesitate, unsure how I want to handle this. I didn’t want to admit to Ryan what I’d done and I can’t imagine telling the story to Crenshaw. He might be proud, which I don’t know if I’ll particularly like, or he could be angry with me. Again, not something I’d like.
    “I heeded wise words,” I tell him meaningfully. “I kept my wits sharp and luck favored the prepared.”
    “Ha!” Crenshaw exclaims excitedly, clapping his hands together once. “Wonderful. Well done, my dear. I knew you were not a lost cause.”
    “Thank you,” I say, not really sure it’s a compliment. Maybe it’s just an observation. Stupid Trent.
    “Your arm,” Crenshaw says suddenly, his demeanor becoming sedated. “Have you been caring for it? Do you need anything for the pain or infection?”
    “No, thank you. I’ve been taking medicines for it.”
    He scowls at me. “From whom? Not one of those Charlatan’s in the markets, I hope.”
    “No, Cren. From you.”
    Crenshaw stares at me for a lone moment before nodding sagely. “The boy.”
    “Yes,” I reply, feeling nervous. I’m breaking a rule here by mentioning a Lost Boy in his presence. We never speak specifics and I’ve just gotten very, very specific.
    “He’s a good one, that lad. Stay close to him.”
    “Really?” I ask, shocked. “I thought I was supposed to avoid the company of men.”
    Crenshaw nods again, watching me. “There are few good men left in this world of wraiths, devils and fools, my child. Should you find one, you’d be an idiot to walk away. And you, Athena,” he says, heavily, “are no idiot.”
    “I don’t know about that. I’ve been pretty stupid lately.”
    He waves my protest away dismissively. “Youth!” he cries, as though that one word explains away every complication in my entire world.
    And who knows? Maybe it does.
     
    ***
     
    Two nights later I’m scared to death by a pounding on my door. It’s not frantic, but it’s loud and insistent. I wrap my blanket around me, hiding the shorts and threadbare t-shirt I’m sleeping in, and run for the door.
    “Who is it?” I whisper into the crack, feeling ridiculous. I’m not used to visitors.