Page 96 of The Naga Lord's Pretty Little Mouse

Their movements are smooth, calculated, hunters walking among prey.

My blood turns to ice.

I drop my gaze, adjusting my hood lower, fingers tightening at my sides.

The elves move in a slow, deliberate formation, not rushing, not speaking. They don’t need to. Their presence is enough.

A woman unloading a basket of fruit stumbles in her haste to move aside. A merchant behind her pretends to adjust his wares but shifts deeper into shadow.

Even the naga guards tense.

The leader of the dark elves stands in the middle of the group, tall, dripping in silent authority. His crimson eyes scan the market, movements unhurried. Like he has the luxury of time.

Are they looking for me?

I force myself to keep moving, angling toward the carriage without drawing attention. Blend in. Disappear.

One of the dark elves speaks, his voice smooth as silk. "We have business in this town."

No one answers.

No one dares.

The leader’s gaze sweeps the market, a viper searching for movement.

I press closer to the crates, heart hammering against my ribs.

The dark elves split, moving through the crowd.

One of them approaches the merchants near me, too close.

"Where are you headed?" The elf’s tone is conversational, but behind it is not.

The man I spoke to swallows thickly, shoulders stiff. "Supply run. Nothing more."

The elf studies him, eyes flicking over his men, then landing on me.

A slow, deliberate inspection.

Don’t react.

Dirt clings to my skin, my tunic stained with sweat and filth. I made sure of that before entering the market, knowing that a clean face would stand out.

The elf’s nose wrinkles slightly, disgust.

His gaze moves on. I’m a breath away from disaster.

They question a few more traders, their voices like knives pressing against bare throats.

One of them lingers near a woman selling dried meats, speaking low enough that I can barely catch the words.

"Any humans pass through recently?"

She hesitates, fear flickering in her eyes. "Many."

"Any alone?"

Her fingers tighten around her stall. "Humans come and go, sir. They don’t stay long."

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