Page 48 of A Fate so Cruel

She didn’t pause. “How do you know you haven’t already been dealing with it?”

He stopped at that, staring at her back. Rion reassessed the female, took in her scent and the faint hints of vanilla. The very scent that had lingered whenever he’d tried to corner the one tracking him.

“You.”

“I’m surprised you caught on. Not many do.”

Rion erased every preconceived notion about the female and tried to focus on her skills instead.

Selina gave off an air of innocence. One that was strong enough to lure others into believing she was a novice. Young. But her skills said otherwise. It had Rion wondering if she’d thrown their sparing match as part of an act.

Two could play that game. He’d participate for a while. Feel her out. “I couldn’t pin down your exact location, if that makes you feel any better.”

“You were close a few times.” Rion could hear the smile in her voice. “I honestly thought you’d found me yesterday on the roof.”

Rion recalled the moment. He’d been more than frustrated by the unknown presence, her presence, and hadsaid to hell with all his training. He’d used his magic to propel himself to the rooftop, intending to confront her directly. But she’d vanished before his feet landed. He’d scoured every inch of the place to no avail. “Where were you hiding?”

She spun again, a child-like grin on her face. “I can’t go sharing my secrets now, can I?”

Right. Well, he’d get to the point then. “If your team is so good, why do you need me?”

She turned and Rion wished she’d just stop walking so he could study her face. “I’m always on the lookout for new recruits. Who better than the strongest Fae in Brónach?”

“That’s a bit overstated.” There were many warriors who had centuries on him. He wasn’t delusional enough to think he could take them on and come out unscathed.

“Not as much as you might think. I’ve read the reports. Not to mention the fact that you took out an entire elite unit when you were just a child.”

Rion suppressed the growl forming in his throat. “I’d rather not talk about that.”

She peered at him from over her shoulder. “Why not, it’s—”

“Because it’s not a day I’m proud of.”

She paused again, meeting his gaze and the fire he knew simmered behind his eyes.

“Sorry,” she stammered. “I just thought—”

“You thought wrong. Are we going?” He didn’t want to give her room to question him on the matter. He’d worked too hard to keep the truth about their father’s death a secret. He wouldn’t slip up here.

She studied him for a long moment, assessing his body language and the dismissal of the topic. Perhaps she’d presumed he would be proud of that night. That The Demon would relishin the blood of his enemies no matter how young he might have been.

But Rion wasn’t proud of it. He’d lost his father, his friends, and the only home he’d ever known. He still had nightmares about torn flesh and pools of blood. Sometimes Rion wondered if his subconscious delighted in tormenting itself.

Selina was silent as they walked through the rest of the training grounds. Rion noted those who stared after the pair, some gaping at the exchange they’d just witnessed. Several tightened their grip on their weapons and Rion scented their magic in the air. He knew they wanted to strike him down, but fear won out it seemed.

Selina waved at a few and they awkwardly waved back, their gazes darting between her and Rion in confusion. Well, he supposed he could count them out as being part of any assassination attempts.

Rion watched her back and noted the skip in her step. Selina certainly wasn’t dressed properly if she intended to catch him in an ambush. Not with her hair down and the small weapons she’d brought. But that could be part of the ruse, too. Perhaps she was just the lure and her companions were lying in wait.

No, doing it now would be too predictable. They’d likely wait until they were far away from Nàdair. Maybe even a few days after so he’d let his guard down. He’d been attacked once in his sleep, he was sure it would happen again.

They walked through the barracks next. Fae roamed the open yard, many either returning from or preparing to head out on assignments. Once again, the female before him waved at Fae she knew.

They ambled through the main stretch of the city, then beyond it. Impatience rose through him at her slow pace, but he didn’t comment on it. She marched off the beaten path, thenthrough the trees to emerge on the other side. Five small single-room cabins stood in a row next to the giant redwoods that circled Nàdair.

A light flickered in the window of the one on the far left. Shadows moved within and Rion braced himself for the impending fight.

Selina turned to give him a reassuring smile as if she knew the thoughts racing through his mind. She trotted up the two steps and walked inside.

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