Page 26 of Bounty Hunter

I refuse to admit he is handsome even as my eyes linger on the planes of his face, accentuated by the shadow of night and the full moon’s light. His nose has a bit of a bump, but somehow it’s still perfect, and that has me frowning. To complete the combo are a set of dark brows and a strong jaw. I can’t see his eyes in the dim light, but I know from our conversation yesterday that they are a stormy blue. His hair is a medium length on top, short on the sides, and is currently drying in a messy sort of way that I find highly attractive. Strangely, it only adds to his dangerous air, whereas I am positive I look like a half-drowned kitten. Add to all that his tall frame and what I assume—from his skill and strength—to be muscle beneath his long coat, along with some sort of leather armor and an assortment of weapons I’ve glimpsed.

I do not feel prepared to handle this man or his heavy, commanding presence for days. Even hours. I’m simply a Tulip masquerading as an Originator, bounty hunting for the first time. I only everassistpeople in these sorts of jobs.

“I assume you already know my name, so I will skip my introduction and ask for yours.” His voice is cultured, smooth, and ice-cold.

“Vera.” I blurt out without thinking. I cringe inside, knowing he had that list with my full name, hopefully he doesn’t make the connection.

“I can’t say that I’m pleased to meet you, but I’ll make you a deal.”

“I’m not interested,” I say quickly, before he can say anything further. I’ll adopt a deathstalker before I make a shady deal with a Class A criminal. Something splashes loudly, and I decide it’s time we get some distance between us and thatcursed river. I turn and stride away, stopping only to use two hands to climb up and over a very large boulder. He hops over one handed right behind me. And once again, his long strides have him easily keeping pace beside me while I’m still out of breath from the river fiasco.

“My friends and I have already rescued you from being skinned alive by goblins, and they possibly died because of it.” His voice is so sharp it could slice through the steel of an enchanted sword. “In addition to their sacrifice, I will offer you the same amount as the reward money for my immediate release.”

The hinges of my jaw seem to lose all control, and my mouth sags for a second before I snap it back and give him what I think is my most bounty-hunter-toughdon’t mess with melook. I don’t want his murder money, no matter how much it is. Though I do feel guilty about the rescue part and possible death of his friends. I didn’t want anyone to die. But still…

“I don’t make deals with criminals.”

“Even lucrative ones?”

“No. Because I am not acriminal.” I grind out and start walking.

“Neither am I,” he states angrily, easily matching my stride.

“You’re acting like one.” I give him a pointed look.

He lets out a frustrated breath. “I’m looking for something. It’s urgent.”

“What? A Tulip to kill?” I almost slap a hand over my mouth. I shouldn’t know anything about that, but in my anger and weariness, the words slipped out without thinking.

He stills, and a sardonic smile lifts one side of his handsome mouth. “I knew you knew something.”

And cue the Tulip killer.He doesn’t even have the sense to sound ashamed.Dirtbag.“Yes, I knowabout that,” I replysaucily, casting a glare in his direction for good measure. I may not be able to help my magic sisters right now, but I can scold the heck out of this mercenary while I keep him from finding any of them.

“You’ve got me all wrong.” His deep voice comes from behind me now, the path too narrow for us to walk side-by-side. He must not realize that literally every criminal tries that line, but it makes my skin crawl to think that if he finds out who I am, he won’t be making small talk. He’s a dangerous package, this one. Too handsome. Too strong. Too tall. Too good of a liar. I know if I’d seen him passing on the street, I woulda looked twice—maybe even three times—and my body reacts accordingly. I don’t usually have this problem. Most criminals I help capture are dirty, smelly, raggedy, or handsome with a heavy dose of evil in their eyes, making them easy to place in thecriminalcategory in my brain. This guy doesn’t fit the molds, and I don’t like it.

I turn from him with a huff and continue my march through thick forest that gradually turns into what appears to be wasteland desert. I realize after several minutes of walking that I headed off without any sort of direction in my moment of powerful confidence brought on by my first arrest. That flame of confidence is quickly doused. Again. I have no idea what direction we should be heading, nor do I know how to find out. I admit I always intended to learn, but it’s easy to put aside when thehunterswho contract me are supposed to take care of all that. I’m basically there to power their magic and help them survive, getting a cut of the bounty as payment. And when I’m not with a hunter on a contract, I travel the main thoroughfares as a matter of personal protection since I don’t have much skill with weapons. Never any need for map reading.

I shove all the doubts down. What’s done is done, andhopefully it pays off. I don’t want to show any weakness, including the fact that I don’t know where we are, but I smother my pride and take a moment to kneel down and dig through my pack for my never-before-used map. He stops a few feet away, and I feel his gaze on me. It makes me feel clumsy and hyperaware, and I fumble with the folded parchment in my attempt to get it open. Doesn’t help that it’s sopping wet. I finally pry it open, grateful to see that the map markings are all intact. I scan the page in the weak light of dawn and see the main river we just escaped, but the river islong,and the amount of land where we could have ended up is incredibly vast, including no less than three different desert-looking areas. I have no idea how to pinpoint our location.

Chapter 20

Ikar

She has no idea how to read that map. She’s an interesting conundrum, claiming to be a bounty hunter but lacking many of the skills necessary to make money in such a competitive, dangerous job choice. That, and I never sensed any hunter magic about her.

I know exactly where we are. Raised to be the High King, I spent hours with tutors learning all subjects. My study of geography was particularly intense and difficult, and when I grew old enough, I traveled and trained with soldiers of all the low kingdoms within my own—one of my main reasons for needing a glamour to hide my identity. I’m still curious how the artist of the bounty picture got some of my glamour, it’s the only way that bounty sketch could’ve been made. I saw the picture myself. I know for a fact Jethonan would never have been involved, but who? Apparently, someone close to me at the castle who can’t be trusted. Something to consider.

Right now, we’re wasting time while she pretends to read the map and will likely get us further from our destination if I don’t help. But I don’t want to help her. Anger tempts me tomake this the most miserable, impossible job she’s ever taken. I want to be so awful that she gives up and releases me so I can get on with my mission to save the kingdom of people that I’m responsible for, including her. But my mother raised me better than that, and I don’t have time to play games. Though I find it irritating that even after her shady arrest, my protective instincts are triggered, and I want to smooth the wrinkle of concern that shows between her brows as her eyes scan the map. I lean over her shoulder, taking mercy.

I place my finger on the map. “We are here in this area somewhere,” I say tersely, circling a large desert portion of the kingdom.

She stiffens beside me.

“And we’re heading to the High Kingdom, Moneyre.” I state, scanning the map and locating the city far to the north.

“No. First, the fae,” she says.

I jerk my gaze to hers. “I don’t have time for errands.” Barely contained anger laces my voice.

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