Before I could continue, Xander grabbed my arm. His touch, which had been so gentle only a few minutes ago, was now hard on my arm. Instantly, any remnants of warm and tender feelings dissipated into thin air.
Ah yes. This wasexactlywhy Xander and I weren’t suited.
“Not now, Ana,” he hissed, dragging me behind me. “If we get out of this goddess-damned city, we can talk about it later.”
“You’re so damn bossy,” I snarled.
“Better to be bossy than dead, Sunshine.”
Having delivered that absolutely stunning pearl of wisdom, Xander stopped talking.
Daegal led us through the city as we ducked into alleys and under bridges. We moved quickly, avoiding the patrols of soldiers that were combing through the city.
Just like when the Earth Elf had died in the square, a somber atmosphere had settled over the city. It seemed like the king’s guards were everywhere.
I couldn’t wait to get out of Thyr.
* * *
The sun had slipped below the horizon by the time we reached the outer wall of the city. Covered in shadows, the stone structure seemed much more formidable than it had in the morning. The four of us stood, staring at the imposing wall.
I crossed my arms, looking one way, then the next. This part of the wall appeared to be deserted, but the entire structure reached far above our heads. I couldn’t see any way for us to climb over it.
“What are we going to do?” I asked quietly.
My three companions were huddled together when Xander turned toward me. “We’re going through the wall,” my fake husband said matter-of-factly.
“Through the wall.” I stared at him, putting my hands on my hips. “It has to be at least five feet thick!”
“More like ten,” Xander replied, smirking as he dropped to his knees. He began crawling along the wall, running his hand down the bricks.
I blinked, dumbfounded.
What was it with these people and providing only half an answer?
Huffing, I marched over to Jo and Daegal. They were standing nearby, their hands on the hilts of their weapons as they stared into the falling darkness. Their backs were straight, and their bodies were tense. Everyone was on high alert.
“Is he serious?” I hissed. “Are we goingthroughthe wall?”
Jo nodded. “Yes,” she said. “Xander doesn’t really joke around much, in case you haven’t noticed.”
Oh, I’d noticed.
I smirked. “Yes,” I drawled. “That is something I have definitely observed over our time together.”
Jo raised a brow. “I’d love to know how the two of you got together. Xander’s… interesting. I’ve known him for about five years now, and I never thought he’d settle down. But he does seem happier now than ever before.”
I coughed. She thought Xander was happy? In my opinion, he was aggravating. Infuriating. Maddening, even.
Butnothappy.
“Really?” I squeaked. “Happy?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
Before she could reply, Daegal placed a hand on her arm. I watched as the two of them stepped away and shared a conspiratorial whisper.
Feeling left out,I slid my hand into my pocket, feeling the reassuring metal of my daggers as I watched Xander crawl along the bottom of the wall. He was more shadow than corporeal form as the falling darkness seemed to envelop him.