Page 65 of Hearts on Fire

“Who are you?” he demanded. “And what are you doing in one of my caves?”

“Yours?” I squinted. “How is it yours?”

“All of the Desolate Peak is mine. No one comes here, not even the king.”

Why didn’t Elex say anything about that? Probably because he didn’t know it himself. Things might be different here a thousand years from now, the time when Elex grew up.

“Who are you?” I asked the stranger.

He tsked, shaking his head. “I asked you that first.”

I eyed him suspiciously, not saying a word.

He exhaled in exasperation. “Listen, this game will go nowhere if we just keep asking questions without giving any answers. What’s your name?”

That one was easy enough to answer without giving too much away. Maybe it’d help me get some information from him too?

“I’m Amber.”

His features pinched in concentration, as if searching through his memory. “That doesn’t tell me anything.”

“Why should it?”

“Well, you are awake and made of flesh at night. That alone makes you special in the Kingdom of Dakath. Special enough to make you famous.”

“I haven’t been here for long. And I prefer not to broadcast my existence everywhere.”

“Hmm.” He gave me another one of his penetrating stares. “Clearly, you’re not a gargoyle. You have hair instead of snakes on your head, which makes you not a gorgonian. I don’t think you’re a siren, either. It’s way too far from any large body of water up here in the mountains. A werewolf, maybe? You seem snarky enough to be one.”

I snorted a laugh. “I wish I was a werewolf. I could certainly use some sharp teeth and claws.”

He picked up his lantern and lifted it to his eye level, then took a step closer. His eyes grew bigger as he studied my face.

“No. You’re not a fae at all. By the Wings of Death, you’re not from this world, are you?”

I dropped my gaze down, wondering how much I could tell him. I didn’t trust him, not even a little bit. But the sun wasn’t up. The night was deep. Elex lay on the floor, helpless and vulnerable. I had to make sure this man didn’t get any ideas about harming him or me.

However, he didn’t need my answer this time.

“You’re a human, aren’t you?” He narrowed his eyes at me.

It was useless to deny it at this point.

“Yes, I am.”

“Hm.” He took his chin into his hand, regarding me with new interest. “I’ve heard of your kind but haven’t met one before.”

I shifted my weight to another foot, keeping close to Elex. “Yeah… Well, nice to meet you.”

“We should talk,” he determined. “Come with me.”

He headed to the dark entrance of a side tunnel with the confidence of a man who was used to his orders being followed.

“Come where?” I didn’t move from my spot.

He glanced over his shoulder.

“You have nothing to fear, my dear. I just want to talk. And I prefer to do it from the comfort of my chair. Not in this dark, tiny cage that reeks of sex.” He wrinkled his nose in disgust.