Page 19 of Bounty Hunter

My heart starts pumping faster for a different reason now. For all the flirtatious feelings I’ve been sensing the last several months, he has yet to ask me out. I’ve worked with Rhette, a hunter, often over the past several years. I use the termhelploosely, as I really only carry a pack andoffer magic.

This is it, though. I know he’s going to ask me out. I’ve been waiting for this moment, and I find it might be just what I need to make this day better. I’m thinking a clean tavern with a nice dinner, but really, anything is romantic without a bounty between us. Whatever it is, I’ll take it.

He looks around to ensure our privacy before he slides a folded piece of parchment from inside his jacket and says low, “A new bounty. I just got the information this morning.” He smiles and leans in a bit, his breath brushing against my ear. “One of the highest reward offers we’ve ever had.”

My smile grows tight. Not a date, then. Just work. Again. Sometimes I think I’m only wanted for my magic. In fact, I know it, another reason I can’t wait to be rid of this title. I sigh, letting my smile drop and hold my hand out for the paper, all but snatching it from him in my irritation. The man is either not interested or completely oblivious, I have no idea which. I open the paper and my eyes widen. The sketch is roughly done, and hopefully, it’s done by the hand of an awful artist or this poor man is greatly lacking in the looks department. If it’saccurate,that is. These sketches are not overly helpful because of the inaccuracies.

My eyes skip to the bottom of the parchment, and I quickly read the description and pay. I am sure my brain misfires when I read the reward amount. Surely, my eyes see the numbers wrong. I blink a few times and pull the paper closer. We’ll be competing with at least half the registered bounty hunters once they hear of this reward, which is a formidable challenge.

“Why so much?” My voice is an awed murmur, but I see exactly why the reward is so much. The criminal is a Class A.

“A noble really wants this guy.”

I lower the paper and look suspiciously into his eyes. “Why’s he Class A? Is he a maniac? A murderer?”

He laughs like he thinks I’m joking and leans a strong shoulder against the brick of the tavern I just exited. “Apparently, he refused to fulfill an agreement he made.”

“So, again, why so much? And why Class A?”

He hesitates for a split second. “I assume it’s because they want him caught quickly… or because he’s a mercenary.” He says the last part a little quiet and really fast.

I immediately shove the paper toward him. “I’m not taking this one.” No way am I attempting to act as Originator to help arrest a mercenary, a Class A criminal, especially after what I just learned. I tried that once and failed, almost died, actually. This one’s going to be a bignope. He simply pushes it back toward me.

“Think about it.”

“I don’t need to. This guy could kill me in half a second.” And also, I’m a Tulip, which will only add fuel to the fire if what I’ve learned is true. But Rhette can’t know about any of that.

“I won’t disagree—mercenaries are known to be ruthless. We’ll have to be smarter than him, but I know you need the money, and I can’t do this one alone.”

My cheeks heat. No hard working, independent woman wants to talk about the desperate state of her finances with her prospective love interest. I don’t necessarilyneedthe money, a little cushion would be nice, but it’s not worth my life. Out of habit, I glance out the window toward the large board where all announcements, wanted ads, job offers, and scheduled events for this kingdom are posted. The wanted section sits pitifully bare.

Rhette sees me eyeing it. “There are no other wanted ads right now, this is it.” And then he adds, “Maybe if you didn’tdiscount your rate for every needy person you work with, you would make enough to survive.” He quirks an eyebrow.

Judgy hunter.I glare at him. He’s never had to tell an elderly healer that he can’t help them when they can’t pay your rate, or refuse a weapon enchanter who just lost a hand who’s struggling to feed his family because he can’t keep up the amount of work he used to. But I can’t argue with him.

“Come on. It’ll be fun.”

I avoid looking at his eyes while I think. I have a soft heart, and he will take full advantage of it with some sort of sweet and sad combo expression that will convince me to take this job. But no, I don’tneedit. I have just enough for now. It’s most definitely not worth the danger for me as a Tulip.

“Not this one. You shouldn’t either.” I firmly shake my head. This time I do take a peek at his face and see his letdown expression, but still, I stay firm. This one is just too dangerous for me, and I’m done being an Originator. In fact, I just ate my celebratory feast, and I’m not gonna let him ruin it.

“Let me know if you change your mind. I’ll be leaving in two days.”

“I’m not going to change my mind.”

I quickly forget about Rhette and his ridiculous contract as I hurry across town and race up the wobbly and terrifying stairs to my home that sits two floors up from a dirty street in the outer parts of the city, the small bag of food swinging wildly from my hand. I give the usual twist and kick, and the door swings open.

“Renna! I did it!” I hold the bag of food up like a trophy. Inthe shadows of our home, Rupi worries a path along the back of a wood rocking chair.

The curtains are drawn, the space dark and quiet. That’s definitely not how I left it. My expression morphs into concern as I step inside and close the door behind me.

“Renna?” I call. That’s when I hear the sob. The hand holding the sack of food drops limply to my side, my shoulders following. Her jerk boyfriend probably said something again. I’ve told her to stay away from Originators, especially ones like him, but sobs don’t belong on a day like today, especially not ones caused by Jerrit.

“Come on, Rupi.” I’m not the best with these break up situations, and Rupi is a comfort, so I scoop her from the back of the chair and lift her to my shoulder, then head to Renna’s room. I hesitantly push open her door to see her lying on her side, facing the wall, still and unmoving. Her clothing looks grungy, unusual for Renna, which means it must be bad. Even when the door squeaks open and she knows I’m here, she doesn’t move. Rupi chirps. Still no acknowledgement.

“Renna, I’ve told you to break up with hi?—”

“I don’t have the money.” She says it with a distinct lack of emotion. Like all of it was sucked out and she’s just a fragile, empty shell now. She can’t mean what I think she means. The dues have to be paid in just two weeks. My eyes move to the bracelet on her wrist.

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