The Skylighter (The Keepers' Chronicles Book 2) by Becky Wallace Read Free Book Online Page A

know. When you make a promise, you’re honor-bound to keep it.” His lips had been so hot under hers it was amazing they didn’t steam in the rain. She was tempted to kiss him again and taste that heat; instead she pulled back and grinned at the sudden blush that stained his cheeks. “The good news is that I know a place where we might be able to get baths and beds for the night for a very reasonable price.”
    “Fine, but let’s stay anonymous. It’ll be safer if no one realizes we’re here. You never know who could be watching for us in a town this size.”
    I don’t know if a song or two would be your definition of anonymous, but I’ll try not to make a spectacle of myself. She hopped off the back of the cart and motioned for him to follow.
    They paid the peddler, collected their small bundle of possessions, and headed into the city’s lower streets.
    Camaçari reminded her of a Performers’ tent city, except the buildings were permanent. Even so, the atmosphere, the energy , was the same. For the first time in days Johanna had a bounce in her step despite her wet clothes. Her mind was full of good times, long nights of dancing and even longer laughs.
    Rafi followed close behind, occasionally touching her elbow when groups of people pressed too close. His concern for her was as sweet as it was irritating.
    All the buildings were jammed together cheek-and-jowl, with only a narrow, sometimes impassable alley between. The bright stucco storefronts changed to larger, more solemn-toned inns. Johanna passed several before turning onto a busy common, her footsteps quickening as she saw the familiar sign in the distance.
    The Bean and Barley wasn’t the fanciest inn in Camaçari, but it was the biggest. It had an enormous eating area, far larger than any duke’s hall, and a raised stage—the site of her first public performance.
    And my last one. At least for a little while.

Chapter 11
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Rafi
    Rafi wished Johanna didn’t have to smile at every single person she passed. She was pretty enough to attract attention without her grinning at every cross-eyed beggar and swaggering mercenary.
    Yes, they were somewhat safer in Camaçari than on the road, but he hoped to get in and out of the town without lighting a signal fire for their enemies to follow.
    A sense of uneasiness thrummed in his fingertips, and he checked behind him, searching for eyes watching them too intently.
    The moment he looked away from Johanna, she quickstepped up three short stairs to a questionable-looking inn. Men and women lined the wooden walkway at either side of the door, waiting for entrance, but she ignored them and pushed past the crowd.
    A huge man, as tall as Rafi but twice as wide, followed her in. As the door began to swing shut, the man grabbed Jo around the waist and tossed her over his shoulder. She screamed, legs flailing wildly.
    “Johanna!” Rafi shouted, hurtling up the stairs and forcing the door open. His mind raced in time with his pulse.
    They’ve found us. They’re taking her away.
    “Hey there.” A heavy palm slammed Rafi in the chest, knocking him back a step. “Watch where you’re going.”
    Rafi shouldered past, ignoring the warning. Johanna’s purple-and-brown-covered rump was in the air but disappearing deeper into the cavernous room.
    Something snagged the hood of Rafi’s shirt, pulling him up short.
    “My friend said to watch where you’re going.” A man with horrendous breath and rotten teeth stepped in front of Rafi.
    He barely heard the words over the wild thumping of his heart. Who had her? Who had found them? Rafi threw an elbow at the man holding his hood and rushed forward, only to be attacked from behind. A fist smashed hard and fast into his kidney, while a boot caught him in the knees. He stumbled into a waitress’s back, catching her around the waist to stay on his feet. She shrieked, dumping her tray of drinks onto the nearest patrons.
    Another blow glanced off his shoulder, and then he