Olwen watched as the halfling spun on her heel, her cloak swirling about her feet. Felix watched her go until she disappeared around the corner. Felix then turned to the right, his gaze pinned to Olwen’s hiding spot.
“Did you enjoy the show?” thevallosasked gruffly.
Apparently, he hadn’t been sneaky enough.
Olwen stepped away from the wall and eyed the large giant. He was huge. He would not be surprised if the male came from a berserker line himself. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Felix cocked his head. “The only reason I didn’t out you while we were speaking is that I didn’t want to scare Holly. The last month has been difficult for humans and halflings. She deserves to feel safe after what happened.”
There was a story there. “What happened?”
“She was almost killed during the initial attack. When I found her, she was concussed and on fire.”
He blinked. “On fire?”
“Yes. She barely escaped a burning alleyway. Luckily, she wore leggings beneath her dress, or her injuries would’ve been much worse.”
Leggings. It could be a coincidence, but he doubted it.
Olwen’s berserker stirred at the prospect of a hunt. He shook out his hands, trying to calm down.
Thevallosarched a brow, a knowing glint in his eye. “Are you controlling it, or is it controlling you?”
The male was most definitely a berserker with a question like that. Not many knew the signs.
“Just out for an evening stroll. That is all. Making sure Mizar is safe.”
“As you say, Commander.” Felix glanced in the direction the halfling had walked. “You’ll make sure she gets home safely?”
“I will.”Unless she is the queen.“You know, we could use someone like you in the war. Berserkers are rare.”
Felix shook his head and backed away toward the village center. “I left that life behind and have no interest in it.”
“Pity.”
“Doubt it.” Felix swiveled around and left without another word.
This town just keeps getting more interesting.
He focused his attention and let the berserker rise toward the surface, his hearing sharpening until he could hear thevalles’footsteps. She was running.
How fun. A merry little chase.
What sort of prize would he claim at the end?
A queen or a pawn?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dahlia
Something was hunting her.
It was as if the darkness had eyes.
Dahlia kept imagining Flyka stepping out from the shadows and slitting her throat. She shivered and moved a little faster. Perhaps she should have accepted Felix’s offer.
Popping into the next lane, she skidded across the ice and caught herself before she face-planted into a pile of snow. She sighed as her home came into view. Only a few more steps until she reached the alley.
