Rift Walkers
an excerpt

They slipped out the back door and headed into the stables. The horses were asleep and the one closest to the door jumped, startled awake, and whinnied softly as they came in, before closing his eyes and falling asleep again. Leandro walked over and jumped up on a hay bale, swinging his feet and watching Christopher, who leaned against the wall and met his gaze evenly. They stared at each other for a while. Finally Christopher spoke up. “So. What is it that is so important that you felt the need to wake me up in the middle of the night and drag me out here to talk about it?” He tried not to sound nervous, but in truth, it had only just occurred to him that he didn’t really know this guy and he certainly didn’t trust him. What was stopping him from pulling out a knife and slitting his throat right here? Christopher gulped.
Leandro shrugged. He picked up a loose piece of hay and started shredding it. “Well, Skye, I’ll be honest with ya. I sort of lied. I didn’t need to talk to you, I more of, say, wanted to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“A little about you. And a little about your Miss Suzanna.” He grinned mischievously. “But mostly about how I know that that isn’t her real name.”
Christopher jumped. “How did – I mean, why would you say that?”
Leandro laughed and Christopher winced knowing he’d clearly messed up. “Well there ya go. First of all it’s not hard to overhear you two whispering back and forth along the way, what with you two so oblivious of the world and all. And anyway you’ve just confirmed it for me. Thanks a bunch, cutie pie. Aww, you’re so helpful!” Christopher glared daggers at him.
“Well what the hell are you going to do about it? So what if I told you a fake name? How does that affect you?”
“It doesn’t,” Leandro admitted, letting the destroyed scrap of hay fall from his hand. “It doesn’t affect me, except that I’m hurt that you didn’t trust me enough to tell me your lady’s real name. After all that I’ve done for you two.” He put a hand over his heart and sniffed dramatically. Christopher rolled his eyes and the other boy smiled sheepishly at him. “Well anyway, I guess the point I’m trying to make is that you’ve gotten me curious. I want to know why you didn’t tell me her real name.” He looked thoughtful. “And thinking about it, I’ve got to wonder if Skye ain’t your real name as well. If you’ve given me one fake name, what credence does that give to the other one?”
“I really don’t see that it’s any of your business what our names are,” Christopher snapped, “And whether or not they’re fake. All that matters to you lot is to get back to the city and split your filthy lucre.”
Leandro blinked rapidly at the fierceness of Christopher’s accusation. Christopher thought he saw a look of genuine hurt flit across his face, but it was quickly replaced by one of mock surprise.
“Why, Skye, I’m shocked at you. That’s just mean. How can you say such horrible things about your ol’ pal Leandro? I mean, I suppose I can’t really speak for the others, but I scrub my lucre every day until it shines.”
“You are an idiot.”
“No, I am a swordsman.” Leandro beamed, looking proud of himself. Christopher growled under his breath. The other man continued cheerfully, completely ignoring his reaction. “So, are you going to tell me your real name now?”
“No, I will not tell you my real name.”
“Please?”
“No.”
“Aw, come on.”
“No.”
“…just a little?”
If looks could kill, Christopher was quite sure Leandro would be slowly and painfully bleeding out on the floor right now.