“Look!” Montego lifted a gloved hand and pointed toward a jagged structure up ahead.
A dark, yawning mouth carved into the side of the hill.
“There are the caves.”
Roman’s gaze narrowed. “Let’s check them out.”
His tone was firm and decisive.
“Where is your estate?”
Montego turned in his saddle, motioning ahead. “Just beyond that ridge. I’ll go back and direct the wagons. You go ahead—I know a shortcut to my estate. We should all arrive at the same time.”
Snow drifted from the sky, thickening the already pale, frozen landscape.
Montego gave his horse a sharp kick.
“He-yaw!”
Then, in a motion blur, he disappeared back down the hill.
I swallowed hard, a sense of unease curling in my stomach.
Something about Montego’s smooth assurances always left me on edge.
But there was no time to dwell on it.
Roman, Malik, and I pressed forward, forging toward the cave.
As we reached the entrance, we all dismounted, leading our horses to the gaping mouth of the stony structure.
We peered inside.
Nothing but darkness.
The cave was massive, stretching deep into the heart of the hill.
The air inside was thick, damp, and ancient.
The flickering storm light illuminated just enough to show the vast interior.
Roman grimaced. “This could take forever.”
My stomach twisted.
What were the chances of finding the dagger in there?
Slim to none.
Chapter 31
Roman
Barely an hour had passed since our arrival at Count Montego’s estate, and already Olivia was begging me to head out into the snow to explore the caves.
I let out a long, exasperated sigh.
“No.”
