Chapter 2 #2
“Who are you, and why are you following me?” she growled, pressing the tip of her blade until it broke skin, a drop of blood rolling down his neck.
“Let’s just say your days of healing in the slums are numbered, Starborne.”
Her stomach dropped, panic washing over her as she stared at her attacker. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. And I’m not the only one looking to cash in on your capture.” His eyes darkened.
Footsteps behind her made her shoulders tense, and her eyes flicked to the entrance to the alleyway, heart pounding.
That one moment of hesitation cost her.
Suddenly, the stranger grabbed her arm holding her dagger and twisted it behind her back. He stood behind her, pinning her back to his chest.
“Now who’s the bold one?” Astraia seethed, struggling to break free from his hold.
“I’m not one for standing on ceremony.” His voice was low and close to her ear. The hair on her neck stood up at the sound, and she forcefully stopped a shiver that threatened to run down her body. “Now what are the chances you’ll walk out of this alley without a fuss, like a good little girl?”
“Slim,” Astraia said defiantly. There was no way she would allow him the satisfaction of besting her. She had already resolved to haunt his every waking moment. She needed to know why he was hunting her and what had sent him—then she would send him to Dominion with a flick of her blade.
“Hm. I thought as much. So it appears we are at an impasse.” Astraia could practically hear the sarcasm dripping from his tongue.
“It would appear so,” she bit back.
He was strong, but if she dove into her bond, she could flare enough to subdue him. It was risky in broad daylight, but she was used to hiding secrets in the gloom of the alleyways.
Before he could say anything else, a figure appeared at the entrance to the alley, several feet from them.
“Traia, is that you?” Delphi, in all her splendid glory, stood in the dark alleyway with dual daggers drawn in her hands. Behind her were two Celestial Guards, armed with swords.
She opened her mouth to yell out for help, but before she could form the words, she was hurtling towards the ground. She just had time to stretch out her hands, letting her palms take the brunt of the impact and slow her fall just enough to stop her face from slamming into the cobblestone.
She jumped up as soon as she landed and spun around to face her opponent—but all she found was shadow. Her attacker had vanished into thin air.
Her dagger right along with him.
***
“Stars, girl, what happened?” Delphi poured Astraia a glass of whiskey. It was a little early for liquor, but after the chaos of the morning, she welcomed the burn down her throat and the warmth it provided.
“I have no idea, Delphi. But I think I’m being hunted.” Her gaze fell to the empty glass in her hand. She had almost lost control of the bond during the confrontation. It had never been so bold before, and that frightened her.
Delphi eyed her, her brow raised in suspicion. The old woman had never asked of her past, never probed as to why she ended up in Tenebris. Just as Astraia never questioned her mysterious smuggling business.
“Well, you need to watch yourself, Traia. He could still be in the city.”
“I can take care of myself, Delphi.” Astraia instinctually reached for her dagger, its absence from her thigh noticeable.
It left her feeling vulnerable, an extension of her body cut off.
Elion had gifted her the dagger when she turned eighteen.
The idea of that bounty hunter holding it in his filthy hands made her stomach sour.
“Not from where I stood today, girl. Thank the Stars I showed up when I did and thought to grab two Guards when I heard a ruckus in the alley. You’d have gone to Solrend if I hadn’t.” Delphi touched a hand to her heart and lifted it to the sky, an act of thanks to the Stars.
Astraia tried not to roll her eyes at the sign of honor. Delphi believed the Stars were still attentive, alive, listening. But the skies were silent. The constellations did not answer. Not anymore.
“I had the situation under control. But thank you.” Astraia nodded toward Delphi and stood up to leave, tugging her cloak to cover her head once more.
I’ll get it back, with or without the Stars.
“Hmm. Well, take the day off. I don’t need your help with deliveries today,” Delphi replied, “But be careful. You still owe me.”
“Noted.” Astraia slipped out the door.
She scanned her surroundings. The hunter was nowhere in sight, but an eerie coolness crept up her spine, as though a million eyes were watching her every step.
***
It took half the time as usual to reach her apartment. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple, but not from the heat. She was walking around a dangerous city, unarmed, with a bounty hunter stalking her—unsettled was an understatement.
Nervously, Astraia shoved her hands in her pockets to try to subdue the anxiety that threatened to cloud her mind, only to find something crumpled in her pocket. Astraia stopped mid-stride and pulled out the small piece of paper. Unfolding it, she found only three words scribbled in ink.
Dawn. Starfell Woods. It was in Delphi’s handwriting.
“A few hours? Really, Delphi?” Astraia muttered to herself as she scrunched up the paper in her fist and held tight until she could burn it. Delphi was shrewd, but Astraia could not be too careful covering her tracks.
Rest from the day would have to wait. She needed a few hours to prepare for the journey to the River Hydraneas, including preparing her horse and provisions.
It was a two-day ride there and back on side roads that were not well traveled.
They would need to avoid the main road to prevent unnecessary questions and any searches from the Celestial Guard.
Those were the terms Delphi set, and Astraia never questioned them.
Resuming her trek down the street, she turned toward the stables near her apartment to secure her horse when she saw it. Plastered on the wall next to her was a large piece of parchment paper with the royal seal affixed at the top.
By order of the King of Astradeon, King of the Celestial Court, His Royal Majesty King Maelrik.
Any whereabouts of Starborne are to be reported to the Celestial Court for acts of high treason to the Crown.
The Starborne are a danger to the entire kingdom and the future of the realm of Astradeon.
A reward of great value will be granted to anyone who brings in a Starborne alive to the Celestial Court. Long live the King.
Astraia swore under her breath. This was why Leolus had been arrested and why the bounty hunter had followed her today.
An influx of bounty hunters hungry for their share of the reward would mean not only precarious living in Tenebris, but also increased presence on the roads in and out of the city.
An unwanted presence that would surely cause obstacles on her journey to the river.
She ripped the parchment from the wall and crumpled it in her hands. She would add this to Delphi’s note to burn tonight.