Deadlands Hunt Read Online Free

eyes speared him as she frowned.
     
    "I have to go along. She's my sister. What if you do find her alive? She'll need me." The frown reversed, becoming a small, determined smile. "We can simply follow you at a distance, you know. If you refuse to take us along, that's exactly what we'll do."
     
    Chase had seen that look before, on his mother's face when she was bound and determined to have her way over something. It was a look you'd never find crossing a man's face, because men understood logic. Women made up their own to suit whatever situation was at hand.
     
    As far as he knew, no male had ever successfully won against female logic. They knew the two greatest weaknesses males had. So men who thought they'd won such battles often found themselves eating their own cooking and sleeping alone. At least until they admitted they were wrong and apologized.
     
    Sighing, Chase realized that her threat wasn’t an empty one. "Fine, as long as we understand that once we cross the border, I'm in charge."
     
    She was a gracious winner, immediately smiling. "Absolutely, Mr. Chase. Thank you."
     
    Chase kept from frowning with an effort. Werens always used first names as a sign of respect. Humans piled titles and honorifics in front of them, only using first names for kin, friends or those they considered their equal. He put up with the 'my lords' from the tradesmen because they used such address for all their customers. He wasn't going to put up with disrespect from her. "It's just Chase."
     
    An impressive stare off sparked. Curtis watched in fascination as blue met and matched pale gold, forgetting the stein paused an inch from his lips. Who would blink first? What excuse would she make for not using their names?
     
    Without blinking she replied, "Then you must call me Amy, Chase."
     
    "I like Amethyst better." Werens also considered it disrespectful to shorten names.
     
    "As you wish." They stared at each other for a few seconds longer before both blinked. Curtis buried his grin in beer. "When shall we leave then?"
     
    "We'll need to get supplies. Do you have horses yet?"
     
    "Yes, I purchased five our first day in town." She waited.
     
    Chase nodded. "Then after breakfast tomorrow, we'll gather everything we'll need, get a good night's sleep and leave early the following morning."
     
    "Why can't we leave tomorrow?" Her chin began to show signs of returning to stubborn.
     
    "You don't rush preparations for going into the Deadlands, Amethyst. They were named that for a reason, and by Werens long before humans arrived." Chase seriously doubted a day was going to make a difference in what they'd find.
     
    "Very well. I'll see you at breakfast." She rose and smiled. "Good night, gentlemen."
     
    Waiting until she was out of earshot, Curtis said, "She's going to be trouble."
     
    "Yeah." Chase grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. "We have Kyle on our side though."
     
    *
     
    Upstairs, Amethyst discovered her companions had chosen more than a single brandy, from the looks of them. Sally sat in a chair rapidly fanning her face. Her cheeks were bright pink as she giggled over something said before the red head entered the room.
     
    "You're all going to have dreadful headaches tomorrow, and we've errands to take care of," she informed them. "I've found guides for us."
     
    Peter blinked owlishly from the settee he lay sprawled upon. "Those, um, Weren fellows?"
     
    "Yes."
     
    "Absolutely not!" Brian rose from his seat.
     
    Amethyst raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"
     
    He drew himself up, a stern expression appearing on his face. "As you very well should. Werens aren't the type a well-bred young lady such as you should ever speak with, much less plan to go off gallivanting among."
     
    Amethyst's mouth dropped open in shock. Quickly closing it, she glared. "Galliva...what on earth? This isn't some pleasure ride, Brian. My sister is missing. Missing! I shall accept whatever help there is, regardless of who or what