“Would you believe I was passing through?” He smirked, which only inflamed Astraia’s anger into pure rage.
She gritted her teeth, and her bond begged to be untethered, to overtake her, but she yanked on its leash and quieted the rebellion raging inside her.
“No,” she snarled.
The corner of his mouth tugged again—not quite a smile. Something else. Amusement, maybe. Or challenge.
Who was this? Not a Celestial Guard. Not with that ease, that stillness, like he had seen a thousand blades, and none had touched him. But not harmless either.
“Then you’re smarter than I thought,” he said.
“Who are you, and why are you following me?” she growled, pressing the tip of her blade until it broke skin, a drop of blood rolling down his neck.
“Let’s just say your days of healing in the slums are numbered,Starborne.”
Her stomach dropped, panic washing over her as she stared at her attacker. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. And I’m not the only one looking to cash in on your capture.” His eyes darkened.
Footsteps behind her made her shoulders tense, and her eyes flicked to the entrance to the alleyway, heart pounding.
That one moment of hesitation cost her.
Suddenly, the stranger grabbed her arm holding her dagger and twisted it behind her back. He stood behind her, pinning her back to his chest.
“Now who’s the bold one?” Astraia seethed, struggling to break free from his hold.
“I’m not one for standing on ceremony.” His voice was low and close to her ear. The hair on her neck stood up at the sound, and she forcefully stopped a shiver that threatened to run down her body. “Now what are the chances you’ll walk out of this alley without a fuss, like a good little girl?”
“Slim,” Astraia said defiantly. There was no way she would allow him the satisfaction of besting her. She had already resolved to haunt his every waking moment. She needed to know why he was hunting her and what had sent him—then she would send him to Dominion with a flick of her blade.
“Hm. I thought as much. So it appears we are at an impasse.” Astraia could practically hear the sarcasm dripping from his tongue.
“It would appear so,” she bit back.
He was strong, but if she dove into her bond, she could flare enough to subdue him. It was risky in broad daylight, but she was used to hiding secrets in the gloom of the alleyways.
Before he could say anything else, a figure appeared at the entrance to the alley, several feet from them.
“Traia, is that you?” Delphi, in all her splendid glory, stood in the dark alleyway with dual daggers drawn in her hands. Behind her were two Celestial Guards, armed with swords.
She opened her mouth to yell out for help, but before she could form the words, she was hurtling towards the ground. She just had time to stretch out her hands, letting her palms take the brunt of the impact and slow her fall just enough to stop her face from slamming into the cobblestone.
She jumped up as soon as she landed and spun around to face her opponent—but all she found was shadow. Her attacker had vanished into thin air.
Her dagger right along with him.
***
“Stars, girl, what happened?” Delphi poured Astraia a glass of whiskey. It was a little early for liquor, but after the chaos of the morning, she welcomed the burn down her throat and the warmth it provided.
“I have no idea, Delphi. But I think I’m being hunted.” Her gaze fell to the empty glass in her hand. She had almost lost control of the bond during the confrontation. It had never been so bold before, and that frightened her.
Delphi eyed her, her brow raised in suspicion. The old woman had never asked of her past, never probed as to why she ended up in Tenebris. Just as Astraia never questioned her mysterious smuggling business.
“Well, you need to watch yourself, Traia. He could still be in the city.”
“I can take care of myself, Delphi.” Astraia instinctually reached for her dagger, its absence from her thigh noticeable. It left her feeling vulnerable, an extension of her body cut off. Elion had gifted her the dagger when she turned eighteen. The idea of that bounty hunter holding it in his filthy hands made her stomach sour.
