Markle Vanrick is cursed by the gods. Nothing in his life has ever worked out. So, when he works up the courage to leave home with only his lute, it’s only natural his money is stolen and he’s stuck without a way to get to his cousin’s farm.<br><br>Enter Frye Indori, a mischievous man who lives life to the fullest -- only because he’s a few steps away from being caught and killed. Blessed with magic from the goddess Magana, Frye fled his hometown to escape the clutches of the corrupt priestess performing evils in the goddess’s name. When he runs into helpless Markle, he feels obligated to show Markle there is some good in the world.<br><br>Like it or not, Markle gets caught up in Frye’s game of fox and hare. When the priestess finally catches them, Markle may have a few surprises of his own.

Music and Magic

Air left Frye’s lungs, but instincts kept him moving despite not being able to draw a breath. He backed away, evading a second blow from Wach. Taking in a shaky half-breath, Frye was on the offensive again, shuffling his feet—the spell set fire to the sleeve of Wach’s jacket, but it hardly fazed the other man. He tore the garment off his shoulders and let it drop to the floor. Suun extinguished it with a quick step.


“Stop!” Varner said loudly. “Or your precious pet gets a knife to the throat.”


Frye tore his eyes away from Wach and Suun and saw that Markle was tied to a chair, and Varner held a blade to his neck.


Frye immediately stilled and Wach grabbed his hands and positioned them together. Suun had a line of rope and quickly bound Frye’s wrists together. They tied his feet next, then dragged him to the second chair, opposite Markle.


“I’m sorry,” Markle said. He had a black eye already forming on his face.


Chapter 35