"Ha. Wait until you have your Eight-Star Pattern. Then we can talk." Rask picked at his ear, a derisive sneer on his handsome face.
"Enough!" Evangeline swept aside the vines hanging from the rock face and peered into the pitch-black cave entrance. She suddenly spun around to face the two men squaring off, her brow furrowed. "Both of you, quiet down," she said, her face etched with impatience. "You're too damn loud."
Rask shot Julian a sidelong glance, then his face suddenly broke into a smile as warm as a spring creek.
He leaned in closer and asked in a low voice, "Female, I heard you mention you were looking for some kind of herb? I've been to all eighteen rivers of this valley. Why don't you describe it to me? Perhaps I can help."
As he spoke, his eyes darted about, but his handsome face was a mask of gentle smiles.
'If I can't take her by force, I'll play weak. I've survived by using this trick before, back when I was powerless.'
Evangeline narrowed her eyes, studying Rask.
