Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) by Jaye L. Knight Page B

main street to the mercantile, one of the largest businesses in Kinnim. Jace glanced up at the sign over the front overhang. Someone had freshly painted it with crisp white and red letters since his last visit. At the hitching post out front, they tied the horses and stepped up onto the boardwalk. Through the already open door, a mixed aroma of spices, leather, and other dry goods greeted them. A stout man with dark hair and a thick beard emerged from the back storeroom as they stepped farther inside. He wiped his large hands on his canvas work apron and eyed his customers.
    “Rayad.” His gruff voice carried a tone of surprise, and his eyes landed briefly on Jace with a guarded expression. “Can I help you?”
    “Just need to find a few things for Kalli and Aldor,” Rayad told him.
    He turned to browse the shelves, and Jace steeled himself to approach the counter. Laytan watched him as one might follow the movements of a rabid dog. Jace reconsidered for a moment, but wouldn’t give in to the intimidation. He had as much right to be here and do business as anyone. Reaching into the leather pouch on his belt, he withdrew the pickerin tusks and laid them on the counter.
    “I want to sell these.”
    The other man glanced down, though not enough to inspect the tusks fully. Hard expression never changing, he mumbled, “I’ll give you ten for them.”
    Jace shifted his jaw and spoke coolly. “That’s what you gave me last time. These are bigger and worth more.”
    The shopkeeper grumbled. Jace wouldn’t put it past him to refuse, but he finally said, “I’ll give you twenty.”
    Jace accepted with a nod, ready to take the money and leave. Better to wait for Rayad with the horses than stand around here with Laytan glowering at him as if he should be locked up somewhere. The man fished the money from his cash box and dropped the coins into Jace’s hand. As he deposited them into his pouch, a second person entered from the storeroom.
    “Jace!” a musically feminine voice exclaimed.
    Both he and Laytan looked up as the shopkeeper’s daughter, Rebekah, joined them at the counter. She smiled brightly at Jace, her honey-blonde hair braided away from her face. Her vivid blue eyes caught on the tusks and widened.
    “Oh my. When did you get those?”
    Jace shifted his weight from one foot to the other. His throat suddenly lacked moisture. “Yesterday.”
    As comforting as he found Kalli’s presence, younger women made him uneasy. Especially Rebekah. She possessed all the best and kindest qualities in Kinnim. Her presence always turned his thoughts to a near useless jumble, and he hated the loss of composure.
    Eyes still wide and gazing up at him, she said, “He must have been huge.”
    Jace shrugged and stared down at the tusks instead of her face. “He was good-sized.”
    He glanced up, and Rebekah’s eyes twinkled with a grin. A moment of silence hung between them.
    Laytan cleared his throat and practically growled, “Rebekah, have you finished the inventory?”
    “Yes, Father,” she answered with a smile still tingeing her voice.
    “Well, why don’t you check the new stock?”
    “Then may I go to the market?”
    Laytan hesitated. “Fine.”
    Rebekah’s grin blossomed again, and she kissed her father on the cheek. Just before turning to leave, she smiled once more at Jace. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”
    She disappeared into the back and left a death-knell silence behind. Jace cast a reluctant glance at Laytan. The man’s eyes narrowed to a thin warning line, and Jace didn’t doubt the threat behind them. Luckily, Rayad chose that moment to approach the counter with an armful of supplies, breaking the tension. Laytan gave Jace one more razor glare before turning to his business. As much as the desire to leave pulled at him, Jace stood his ground.
    When they finished the transaction, Rayad bid Laytan a good day, and Jace followed him outside. Laytan’s scowl burned into his back on the way out the door.