Page 70 of A Dagger in the Ivy

A few yards away, Torbin stands with his back to me, speaking in low tones to Osrem. His friends are farther away, their voices muffled asthey seek out the wild boar. Osrem and Torbin seem to be engaged in a serious conversation. My heart quickens as I inch closer, straining to hear their words. The forest around me is alive with sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant call of birds—but I tune them out, focusing solely on the men ahead.

Osrem’s voice carries through the air. “… is getting impatient. We must act with diligence.”

Torbin nods, his expression serious. “I understand, but we can’t afford any mistakes. It could ruin everything.”

I feel a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest. What are they planning? Is this something that’s happening in the realms? Is there some plot unfolding that he is keeping hidden from me? Or are they simply talking about political situations between countries? I move a bit closer, the mossy ground masking my footsteps.

The men continue their conversation, but their voices become more hushed, and I miss a portion of it.

“… will be ready soon.”

Osrem nods, glancing around the clearing. I duck behind a large tree just as his gaze sweeps past me. My heart pounds in my ears, and I hold my breath as the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

What are they up to, and why is Torbin involved in something so secretive?

It grows quiet, and I fear they might have found me out. I wait two minutes. Five. But the voices are gone. I take a deep breath, the scent of hyacinth stinging my nose. With subtle movements, I peek my head around the tree. Everyone is gone.

Shit.Where did they go?

I know I shouldn’t, but curiosity drives me to try to locate Torbin. I move as stealthily as I can manage, slinking between the trees. My eyes, ears, and senses are on high alert. But I don’t see him anywhere, and I can’t understand how the group got away from me so swiftly.

Perhaps they spotted the wild boar and made haste to follow them.

I don’t know why I can’t let it go. I pick up my pace, moving with agility through the underbrush.

Finally, I think I hear something. I move toward the sound.

Two steps into my dash, awhooshingsound pricks my ears. Before I can register what it is, an object shoots across my path, nearly hitting my face. I freeze in place, perplexed. As soon as I can focus, I take in the sight of a bolt from a crossbow imbedded into the tree trunk beside me.

Swallowing hard, I scan my surroundings. When I find a pair of piercing eyes glaring in my direction, my breath hitches.

Dante steps out from behind a tree, a crossbow hanging from his arm.

Anger bubbles up, and I meet his stare with my own. I can’t even wrap my head around how fast my heart is racing.

What the fuck is he playing at? Is he seriously trying to kill me?

“Your aim is off,” I shout at him.

“Is it?” He turns away and saunters away from me through the trees.

I can only stare at him as he leaves. I’m so baffled, and I feel like I’m about to explode.

With a grunt, I take a step. A loud hissing causes me to stop. A few feet in front of me is a copperhead snake, coiled at its base, its tail vibrating a few inches above the forest floor. Its head is aimed in my direction, ready to take action.

I take a step back, not wanting to intrude upon it.

Realization dawns on me. That bolt stopped me in my tracks. It prevented me from stepping near the snake.

Did Dante do that on purpose?

Still, it was a reckless move. He could have just warned me. A lack of skill or timing on his behalf and that bolt would have been lodged in my heart instead of the tree bark.

Just when I think I couldn’t be more confused by Dante, he kicks it up a notch.

I shake my head, trying to regain my focus. I don’t think Torbin can be too far from here. As I continue my search, I keep Dante’s warning—if one can call it that—in mind. My eyes scan the forest floor with every step.

Finally, I hear cheering. I move ahead toward the sound until I findthe group. They stand around a fallen boar, clapping Torbin on the back. I draw closer, and one by one, they begin to notice me.

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