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THE SEWER TUNNELS GREW darker and danker the closer Trinity and Hugh got to town. They were near the area where Ray, the House Servant who ran this section of the city, should’ve left the supplies. Trinity trusted him—he was a childhood friend of her father’s—but he’d warned them that there were always those who wanted to usurp him.
Hugh walked close behind her his hand over his nose to block the odor. “I can’t see...”
She turned toward him, her finger to her lips, indicating silence.
“A thing,” he continued, obviously not able to see her in the dark. “How much...”
She touched his mouth with her fingertip. He froze, lips partially open. She grasped his hand and he entwined his fingers with hers. She pulled free and grabbed the cuff of his shirt. She wasn’t his mate. There was no reason to hold hands in the dark. She led him to the side of the tunnel and let go of his shirt, stepping away. “Wait here.”
“Where are you going?” His voice was low as he edged toward her in the darkness.
“I’ll be back in a minute. I promise.” She wouldn’t want to be left alone, unable to see in the dark, especially with his past.
“I’m going with you.”
“No, you’re not. It could be dangerous.”
“Then, I’m definitely going with you.”
She mentally counted to ten. Males could be so protective. “You’ll make it more dangerous.”
“I’m not completely worthless.” There was a hint of indignation in his tone.
“Yeah, you are. At least down here.” He was useless everywhere, but males were easier to command if you allowed them a little pride.
“That may be, but I’m not letting you go alone.”
“Letting me? You can’t stop me.” She leaned in close. “You can’t see anything. Your hearing stinks and you’re not quiet. How do you think you can help me?” So much for saving his pride.
“I’ll do whatever I have to in order to protect you.” He leaned closer, until their noses almost touched. “No matter what.”
“Good. Then wait here.” She patted his cheek and darted down the passageway. He couldn’t follow her if he couldn’t see her.
Having traveled to Ray’s many times, she knew the layout of this part of the sewer system almost as well as the forest. She’d approach from the back. It’d take longer but no one should expect it. She slipped down a couple of side tunnels and then stopped. This was the end of the sewer pipe. If there was going to be an ambush it’d be here. She listened to the night. Small rodents scurried, going about their business. They weren’t frightened, at least not more than normal.
She darted out of the tunnel and into the street, running down an alley and stopping behind a garbage dumpster. There was a cardboard box leaning against the building. She pushed it aside and peered into the small opening in the concrete. The package was there and nothing else. She opened it, searching everything to ensure that there wasn’t a tracking device hidden inside. She tucked the parcel under her arm and headed back toward the sewer. This was the first thing that had gone according to plan. She’d have to give Ray a big hug when she saw him.
She raced through the sewer, wanting to get back to Hugh as quickly as possible. Being left alone in the dark couldn’t be fun. She stopped at the opening to the large tunnel where she’d left him. He was stumbling along with his hand against the wall, following the path she’d taken. Stubborn fool. Luckily, he hadn’t gotten too far or she would’ve had to hunt him down because there was no way he’d have been able to follow her trail, not with his vision and sense of smell.
She moved in his direction. It was several minutes before he heard her approach. His eyes widened and his breathing became more hurried. He stopped, tipping his head to try and catch any sound. The smell of fear wafted toward her. He didn’t know it was her. She should call out, but a little scare would be good for him. The tunnels could be dangerous. He should’ve listened to her and stayed where she’d left him. He staggered backward and hit the wall, almost falling.
“Hugh, it’s me.” She moved forward, touching his shoulder. He needed to learn a lesson, but she didn’t want him hurting himself. They still had to make it through the city and they’d draw less attention if he wasn’t limping. The areas they were traveling through saw injury as an invitation.
“Don’t ever do that again.” He shoved her hand away from him.
“What? Leave you? Or watch you stumble around in the dark, stinking of fear?” He had no right to give her any type of orders.
He moved until he was only inches away from her. “Go off into a dangerous situation by yourself.”
“I was safer alone.” Males were so...so difficult, overbearing and bossy.
“No, you weren’t. You could’ve been attacked by a group or someone could’ve snuck up on you or—”
“I’m done with this conversation.” She pulled two cloaks out of the package and shoved one against his chest, knocking him back a step. “Put this on.”
He glared at her but did as she said.
“The hood too.” She pulled her cloak on and as soon as he covered his head, she shifted position to view him from every angle. It hung down to his knees and past his hands. “Walk to the wall and back.”
“Why? Are you hoping I’ll stumble about like before?”
“Do you have to argue about everything? Just do it.” She was so tired of traveling with him. She should make him hang out with Gaar and Mirra. He’d learn not to ask stupid questions.
“Asking why is not arguing.” He didn’t move.
“I need to see if anything gives you away as an Almighty. Many here wouldn’t hurt you, High Hugh Truent, but others only see an Almighty.”
“Don’t call me that.” He walked to the wall.
“Why?”
“Now, you’re arguing with me.” He headed toward her.
“Stop being a jerk.” She studied his movements and shook her head. “I can still see your skin. It’s too white.” She dug in the package and took out a belt with a knife and sheath.
“Why am I argumentative when I ask you a question but you aren’t when you ask me the same question?”
“Because I’m curious and you were being stubborn.” She handed him the weapon and belt.
“I was not being stubborn.” He started to strap it around his waist.
“Yes, you were. Under the cloak. You’re going to have to keep your hands and arms covered as much as possible. The sides of the cloak don’t meet so you can attack without worrying about the cloth getting in the way.” She unsheathed her knife from under her garment as a demonstration. “Plus, no one will know that you’re armed.” She put her weapon away.
“We need to call a truce and since I doubt that you’ll start, I’ll be the bigger person.” He glanced at her, a smile playing about his mouth as he latched his belt.
“I could be the bigger person.” Even when trying to be nice, he was a jerk.
“I look forward to seeing that one day.” He gave up the fight and grinned. “But I doubt that it’ll be soon.” He put his finger on her mouth. “Don’t argue. Let me finish my apology.”
She shifted away from his touch. “This I can’t wait to hear.”
“Then stop interrupting me.” His smiled widened even more. “I admit that I was being a little stubborn earlier, but so were you when you refused to let me go with you.”
“You should work on your apologies. They stink.” She pulled a small tin out of the package. “Leaving you behind was for your safety and mine and so is this.” She tried to keep from smiling, but couldn’t quite pull it off. He was going to hate this.
“What is that?” He lowered his head toward the container, trying to make out the contents.
She dipped her fingers inside and scooped up a glob of the thick, tacky, black substance.
“Holy Araldo, that stinks.” He straightened, turning his face away.
Sometimes, life was good. “Yes, it does and we need to use it to cover your arms, hands and face.” She tried to keep the glee from her voice but failed.
“You’re kidding, right? Please tell me you’re kidding.”
She shook her head and rubbed the black tar-like substance along his cheek.
“Disgusting.” He wrinkled his nose, but didn’t move. “It smells like shit.” He dipped his hand in the tin and began covering his arm with the stuff.
“Well...” She bit her lip.
“No. Come on. Really?” He stopped rubbing the stain on his skin and stared at his hands, a look of horror on his face.
“You could call it fertilizer.”
“So, it is shit!” He flung the substance off his hand.
“A special blend created to cover your skin and your smell.” She smeared a bit on the bridge of his nose, smiling wide.
“You don’t have to enjoy this so much.” He sounded like a petulant boy, but he scooped out more and smeared it on his other arm. “I feel so special. I get my own blend of shit.”
“I didn’t say it was created just for you. Others use it too.”
He shot her a disgusted look, but there was humor lurking in his eyes. “You really know how to wound a guy. I’d hoped to market this one day. Make my fortune again.”
She chuckled, wiping her hand on his cloak. Sometimes he was okay.
He finished his hands and arms and started on his face, grimacing again. “This was your idea, wasn’t it?” His tone was playful. “I’m not sure what I did to make you hate me, but I’m sorry.” He smeared his hands down his throat. “I truly, truly am.” He smiled at her. “All done. How do I look?”
“Your face is still too pale.”
He groaned and reached for the tin. She stopped him from getting more.
“I’ll do it. You can’t see your face and you’re missing too many spots.” She dipped her hand into the container again and worked the stain into his cheeks, his skin warm and a little rough. Her fingers trailed to his forehead, bringing darkness as they roamed. She got some more stain and worked it down his throat, his pulse beat increased under her touch and his breath tickled the top of her head. “There. All done.” Her words were a whisper in the dark as her eyes met his—brilliant blue in his dark face. She could still smell him, even under the fertilizer, warm male. Her face flushed and she took a step back, slipping the tin into her pocket. “We should go.”
“They’ll smell me a mile away,” he said as they started walking.
“Trust me, you’ll fit in perfectly.”
“Great. I can hardly wait to meet everyone.”
“They’re just as excited to meet you.”
“I’m sure.” His eyes narrowed in amusement and there were small laugh lines at the corners.
He was even attractive covered in shit. She really did hate him.
They traveled through the city taking back alleyways. The night was calm. She’d expected a bit more activity, but hopefully, this meant that the Almightys didn’t suspect that Hugh would head into the city which had been their plan.
She stopped at a door and tapped on it with one long claw. A window two feet above their heads slid upward a crack, a bolt was unlatched and the door opened.