Page 102 of A Broken Promise

He washere.

Here.

I had no doubt both of us were here for one purpose.

Rebels.

Anger stirred within me.

I watched him approach the door to what I assumed was the kitchen. He knocked on it softly. I held back a snarl as he ran his fingers through his dark hair, shaking off the bits of snow.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing, and unaware sheep around me.

I quickly glanced at the women beside me. Gods, their children. The village. I should tell them to run, to hide. Tell them who was here before this entire village collapsed in flames.

But then another thought crawled in and rooted deep within me.

A chance.

A chance to kill him.

There were no armies around him and I for once had a way to stop him for good.

I silently moved my leg closer to me, lowering my arm, preparing to grab Heart Piercer.

“Well look who the cat dragged in.” The woman opened the door and smiled wide at him. I froze, my fingers just inches away from my dagger.

He smirked and followed her behind the door.

I scratched my calf and eased my body back in the chair.

Unsure.

I should’ve stabbed him right there, before he killed off the village, before he burned the town to the ground. I clenched my jaw tight in disappointment, though I didn’t dwell on it long as the door opened again and both of them walked out. She quickly returned to the customers patiently awaiting her. Pulling his hood on, he walked out of the tavern.

My breath was ragged, hands clammy as I watched him through the window walk towards the edge of the village.

Doubts crept in within my mind. I could die and then Kaius’s death was in vain, mine was too if I didn’t succeed.

I grinded my teeth.

I should let it go.

I should find the Rebels and warn them about him.

And yet I should’ve killed him the first time around but instead I ran.

I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

My anger already roaring within me, blinding me more than the snow. I left a few coins on the table and followed his trail.

Though I didn’t see him, I had no doubt a set of the large footprints in the snow were his. They continued even beyond the village, down the hill leading straight to the Cursed Forest.

I looked at the horizon, a small strip of trees stretching for miles. A black divider between the blue sky and the white snow. I looked down the steep hill into the empty valley, looking for him amidst the low settled clouds. A second later, I saw him; his dark cloak a beacon against the white snow even in the fog.

A rush of thrill went through me.

I wasn’t prey anymore. I was the hunter.

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