Or disappointed that Nick hadn’t paid closer attention in all those survival classes he’d attended and mocked Bubba for teaching. That’ll learn me for daring to make fun of others.

Artemis was right. Payback was a cat.

Nick fought back as best he could. Alone. “Out of curiosity,” he panted, between near-death blows. “Why were you chosen as a šarra, if you can’t, and don’t, fight?”

She lifted her chin as if offended by what, to him, was an extremely reasonable question. “I’m very handy, I’ll have you know! I induce envy and conflict into battle and war.”

Oh … great. In other words, she was a dung-stirring troublemaker. Pure and simple. That was her entire value in war. Wonderful. Just … effing beautiful.

That was exactly what he wanted in a fight right now. Yeah.

Nick cursed himself for not asking that question sooner. That explained why she’d outed him so fast and hurled his bleeding carcass under the bus with the one-eyed giant on their arrival.

That was her nature and her job.

It actually explained a whole lot about many things since he’d brought her on board with his crew. She was a troublemaker. The one who lit the fire in others and watched it burn.

Crap … I’m such a flaming moron. And he was about to be a dead one.

He realized too late the mistake he’d made, putting her at his back, and leaving her alone with his friends after he’d freed her.

Oh, the things people learned about others when it was too late to make it better. The last thing anyone wanted on their team was someone whose sole purpose in life was causing drama and stirring up jealousy and intrigue.

How could I have been so stupid? How could he not have seen it before now? Not known what she was doing with her subtle comments and snide innuendo?

But it was easy to do. The thing about jealousy and gossip was that they slipped up on everyone. The trick was to recognize them and stop them immediately. To not let them under your skin.

Because, just like now, they were worthless things that existed for no other purpose than to destroy lives. No one needed them and they served no real use.

Nick looked at Lerabeth. “Hey, bird? A hand or wing here, please?”

The bird snorted. “I’m your guide. Not your soldier. You’re on your own, Malachai.”

That was how he’d wanted it, but … He was beginning to realize alone wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, either.

Especially against this number of attackers, who were hell-bent on ending his days and ruining his boyish figure.