Dragonvein Book Four Read Free

afraid so.”
    She eyed him suspiciously. “How do you know that?”
    “I can hear his thoughts. He says it’s time.”
    She gave a loud snort. “He just wants to screw up any chance we have of being alone. Jealous bastard!”
    “I admit it seems like that. But it’s almost over now. Then we’ll have the rest of our lives to be together.”
    His words went a long way to calming her irritation. After kissing him on the cheek, she stood up. “Then I guess I should go and get packed.”
    Before she could leave, the sound of loud voices approaching from the direction of the lake grabbed their attention. Jake and David were arguing about who was the best rock band of the seventies. Val followed close behind them, a look of utter exasperation on her face.
    Aware that Kat’s previous anger was resurfacing, Martok gave her a conspiratorial wink. There was a malicious grin on his face.
    On spotting Kat, David ducked theatrically behind Jake. “Don’t let her get at me,” he teased in mock fear
    Still sitting, Martok waved a finger ever so slightly. It was all that was needed. Jake and David both immediately froze into place, eyes wide. At first it was unclear what had happened. Then Val pinched her nose and backed hurriedly away.
    “Oh, my god!” she gasped. “Have you two shit yourselves?”
    The foul stench reached Kat a second later. With nose tightly wrinkled, she waved a hand elaborately in front of her face, at the same time chuckling loudly at their dilemma.
    “What have you boys been eating?” she paused to ask, then nearly fell over with the force of her renewed laughter.
    Jake and David could only glare at Martok balefully until he released them. Then, shouting a tirade of curses, they shuffled away with awkward little steps back toward the lake.
    “Where did you learn that?” Kat asked when finally catching her breath.
    Val was equally amused. “Yes. You must teach me that one.”
    “I’m not sure,” Martok lied. “I just somehow kind of knew it.”
    Kat bent down to kiss him, her lips lingering on his for some time, before turning away and entering the house. A still giggling Val followed her. Only moments later, Renald came out and sat down beside him.
    “She will find out eventually, you know,” the old mage said in a hushed tone. “Lylinora already suspects.”
    “Soon, it won’t matter,” Martok told him.
    “You can’t really believe that you'll win her heart.”
    “If not, it is of little consequence. My plans go far beyond mere romance.”
    “Of that, I have no doubt. But for now, that is what's driving you.”
    Martok scrutinized him. “I hope you are not thinking of betraying me.”
    Renald cast his eyes to the ground. “You have sworn to free my son and bring him safely back to me. So, to my shame, I will hold my tongue.”
    Martok rose and stepped from the porch. “See that you do.”
    While Kat gathered provisions in the cabin, Martok headed to the boat to collect a few things he'd be needing. He found Markus and Lylinora sitting on the end of the dock, their voices rising as their discussion became increasingly heated.
    When Lylinora saw him coming she immediately marched straight for him, barring his way with both hands planted firmly on her hips. “Are you insane?” she demanded. “You can’t possibly send Markus to see the Urazi.”
    Martok held up his hands. “It's not me that's sending him. Martok is.”
    “Then you can tell him to forget it. He’s not going.”
    Martok glanced past her. The look on Markus’ face told him that the opposite had already been decided. “That’s between you two,” he said. “I just delivered the message.”
    “I wonder,” she huffed.
    “Don’t blame him,” Markus called over. “Martok is right. If I can convince them to help us, it will save a lot of lives.”
    Lylinora spun around. “Then I’m going with you.”
    “You can’t,” Martok said quickly. “We need you here.”
    Lylinora spun again to face him. “ We