Page 329 of Fated to be Enemies

“Serves ’em right,” the third snapped back in a whisper. “No-gooders anyway. Good riddance, if ya ask me.”

Naomi pulled me away. “I’m sure it’s a coincidence.”

I knew she was trying to make me feel better, but they’d said it was a man. “Maybe it was Aziel.”

She fumbled her fingers. “Maybe, but people do get murdered.”

“Alexander,” I said to remind her. “Freya’s lover is killed right outside our hotel, then in the same night, an entire family is killed. It has to be them.”

“I doubt Raiden would have done it.” She squeezed my arm.

Maddox walked back to us. “Fruit.” He offered a collection of apples, bananas, and some plums. “Eat up. I just spoke to one of the locals.” He gestured in the direction of the stall. “He confirmed a family was killed last night, some rich folk with more power and money than sense.”

I looked around. “Why do they live here then—I mean, did?”

“Probably for the quiet,” Naomi said. “My dad’s friends who are super rich live outside the city and have houses in the city for work and such.”

“Makes sense.” I tapped my fingers against my lips. My stomach was in knots. It had to be Aziel. I didn’t for a second want to believe this was the work of Raiden. “Should we go see the house?”

Maddox shot me an are-you-mad look. “To an open crime scene? We’re trying to avoid attention. Besides, he would have left by now.”

“He?”

“Viktor. I mean Raiden.”

Naomi glared at him. “We don’t know it’s him.”

He looked at us both in turn. “Who else could it be? They said it was a man, and with everything that’s happened, there’s no chance it’s all a coincidence. Clearly Raiden had lost his mind after losing his sister and has gone on a killing rampage while trying to kill Freya, who I assume is close because her boy toy was right outside our hotel.”

My heart sank. I went to speak, but Naomi got there first. “It could be Aziel.”

“It could be, but my skal is on Raiden. Aziel seemed far calmer before he fled. Raiden didn’t even tag along to bring you both home.” He gave me an apologetic stare. “Sorry, Elle, sometimes grief can just make people snap. I know you two had a thing.”

I swallowed thickly. “We-we became friends.”

A small smirk curved his lips. “More than that, if I remember correctly.”

Naomi shook her head. “Really, Maddox? We’re going to do this now? She’s clearly heartbroken.”

I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Enough. I am not heartbroken. Just… surprised. We should get moving anyway. We’re close to the forest.”

“Fine.” Maddox whistled out a breath and crunched into an apple, strutting ahead of us. “But first, I’m stopping to get some hot food and use the restroom.”

Naomi pointed at a small café with cracked gray walls and three circle tables with chairs outside. I followed them inside, and a bell tinkled over the door. As I eyed the pastries and sandwiches, my stomach rumbled. I can’t remember the last time I’d eaten. Yesterday morning maybe?

“Three of the cheese-and-pickle sandwiches,” I ordered and pulled out a couple of skal from the small amount I’d brought. “A hot chocolate too.”

A conversation a couple of tables back caught my attention. A balding man sat with a woman dressed in a pretty summer dress. Over their teas and half-eaten scone, he lowered his voice. “Not just here,” he said, answering a question I was too late for. “A couple was killed a town over yesterday, slaughtered in the night. They ran the elite clubs in the south. You know the ones,” he whispered. “Invitation only.”

“Oh.” Her blue eyes glittered with excitement. “Who do you think killed them?”

“I heard a man was spotted both times. Handsome, they said, not dressed like someone you’d expect to be a killer, but you never know these days. A demon in disguise probably. That’s what they’re saying. That or a god.”

My heart skipped a beat.

She laughed. “Don’t be silly, Ronald.”

“Why not?” He leaned forward. “It makes sense. They killed many before they were locked away. We’ve heard the stories.”

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