Chapter 254: A Different Question

Ravian regarded Malrik for a moment, then nodded.

“As you wish, Captain.”

Layla noticed the difference in his response, as did her guard, who had been bracing for another sarcastic remark. Ravian neither argued with Malrik nor asked whether he was making a request or giving an order; he lowered the stone to his side and looked back at Layla.

“You have one last chance to say your piece, Miss Augus, and then I’m leaving.”

Those words were enough to bring the frown back to her face.

“You already know what I want.”

“Then this conversation is over.”

Ravian turned, but her voice stopped him before he could step toward his companions.

“Wait.”

He looked at her over his shoulder, his expression doing nothing to reassure her that what she was about to say would improve her position.

Layla drew a steady breath and gestured toward the stone.

“I won’t ask you to sell it again.”

“That’s progress,” Ravian said with a nod.

She ignored the comment despite the look her guard gave him.

“But I want to know how you’re able to hold it right now.”

Ravian glanced down at the stone, then looked back at her, his smile finally settling into something quieter.

‘Am I supposed to be trembling while holding it or something?’

It was an odd question. Why wouldn’t he be fine holding it? Unless…

‘Do people start dying the moment they touch it?!’ Ravian thought, keeping his expression under control so that his shock would not show.

He decided to dodge her questions rather than risk saying something that would reveal he had no idea how he was managing to handle it so easily.

“That’s a different question,” Ravian said. “And I think you understand that buying the stone doesn’t mean everything about the person holding it is for sale.”

“I’m only asking.”

“And I’d prefer not to answer, Miss Augus.”

Kael heard a weary sigh from the guard with the eye patch and glanced at him before turning away, trying to hide a small smile.

Layla, however, continued to regard Ravian seriously.

“Do you expect me to see what you’ve done and leave as though nothing happened?”

Ravian shrugged indifferently.

“No. I expect you to leave remembering that I refused to sell it.”

Layla fell silent, while Ravian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She had plenty of questions, but he had not forgotten the one he had asked before Lloyd arrived, or how she had chosen to offer more money rather than answer it.

“Tell me one thing,” Ravian said. “Do you actually know where it came from, or were you trying to convince me it was more dangerous than I could handle so I’d sell it to you?”

Layla looked at the stone, then back at him.

“Yes, I have information about it.”

Ravian nodded, and this time, the answer did not seem to annoy him.

“Kael, could you bring me the box?”

Kael looked at him, then at the box, before cautiously approaching and picking it up.

“Just the box, right?”

“Do you see another box?”

“I’m just checking, because I don’t want you asking me to carry what’s in your hand next.”

Ravian smiled as he took the box from him.

“You’ve all suddenly become awfully cautious.”

Kael gave him a weary, irritated look.

“You’re carrying something that kills whoever touches it, then walking around with it among us and laughing,” he replied. “I think we’ve got a good reason to be careful, man.”

Ravian did not answer as he returned the stone to its place inside the box, closed it, and checked that the lid was secure before lifting it with his other hand.

Claria moved closer the moment the lid was shut, her attention staying on his empty hand. “Let me see it,” she said, reaching for his wrist.

Ravian allowed her to take it, though he glanced toward the two guards before looking back at her. “If you’re going to tell me I shouldn’t have touched it, the captain already did.”

“Then I won’t waste time repeating him. Open your hand.”

He did, and she examined his palm before pressing two fingers against his wrist. After a moment, she asked him to bend and straighten his fingers, watching their movement carefully. “Did it hurt when you picked it up? Any numbness, heat, or anything unusual?”

“Nothing like that.”

Claria looked up at him, but the answer did little to ease her concern. “The auctioneer said they died days later. Even if you feel fine now, that doesn’t tell us what might happen tomorrow.”

“I heard him, Claria.”

“Then stop acting as though everyone worrying about you is being ridiculous.”

Ravian’s gaze rested on her face for a moment, and he let her finish the examination without another complaint. She released his wrist, but continued looking at his hand as though reluctant to leave the matter there.

“I can’t tell you you’re safe from a stone I know nothing about,” she said. “If you notice anything strange, tell me when it happens. Don’t wait until you can barely stand.”

“All right, our doctor. I’ll tell you.”

Malrik glanced at Darius’s sword, then at the people still watching from across the street, and motioned for him to lower the blade. Darius lowered it without sheathing it and stayed near Malrik, his attention on the guards.

The captain stepped closer to Ravian, his eyes briefly moving to the box. “We’ll deal with this when we’re back at camp. Until then, it stays closed, and you carry it yourself.”

Ravian nodded, and Claria stepped aside, leaving his hand free. He kept the box close to his leg while Malrik glanced toward the road, checking the space around the group before they moved.

Layla kept watching his empty palm, and Ravian noticed that she was looking for some trace of what had happened. He raised his hand before her and turned it over once.

“Are we done?”

She lifted her eyes to his.

“Not yet…” Layla Augus said, still unwilling to give up. “How can I reach you later?”