Chapter 3
ThemomentAdarasteppedinto the dark jungle, a chill crept up her spine. She shuddered under the uncanny feeling of being watched. Her eyes darted to anything that moved, praying she wouldn’t be caught so soon.
Far from where she stood was the mountain with shimmering water. Hope settled in her heart, but Adara pushed it away quickly. She had to make it there without being caught first. Scanning the map Damon gave her was no use. With half of it blank, there was no path of certain safety sketched that would lead her to the enchanted water.
Despite the daylight, the jungle was dim with sparse sunlight leaking through the canopy of trees. Adara guardedly scanned the shadows hovering around her. Wind whistled through the leaves, masking the whispers of unknown creatures. Damon told her the island seemed alive with some unknown evil. With the menacing jungle appearing to close in on her, she believed him. The dark branches seemed to reach out with gnarled limbs, attempting to claw at her cloak as it trailed behind her.
Her boots were silent with each furtive step, falling into an endless pit of unease as she ventured deeper into the jungle. Her head swiveled back and forth, wary of anything that could jump out at her.
The sound of gently flowing water grew louder as she approached a small stream. A twig snapped behind her. Adara reached for an arrow in the quiver on her back, quickly nocking it in her bow. She whirled, firing. Her target ducked, impassively watching the arrow sink into the bark where his head had been moments ago.
“Easy there, love,” he said, voice taunting. He slowly rose to full height with his hands raised in surrender. Dirt stained the tips of his nails, his palms. “Wouldn’t want to ruin my pretty face now, would you?” He removed the hood of his cloak that shadowed his features.
Adara squinted in the dim light. No, not dirt.
Blood.
His hands, his clothes—a green tunic and brown trousers that blended with the woods—were covered in it. Dried flecks of crimson dotted his cheeks. His emerald eyes roved over her in amusement.
Adara took in his sharp features and soft gaze. “I’ll ruin your pretty face if I want.”
Something seemed off about him. Curious eyes locked on her, but she sensed the cold calculation he masked. This boywasanAndreilian after all. Dominic Nite probably sent him to hunt her down and bring her to him so he could take her key.
Cautiously, he stepped closer. Adara took a step back, only to lose her footing on the bank of the stream. A flash of movement in front of her. Before she could tumble backward into the water, a hand gripped her waist, pulling her into the arms of safety. Her breath hitched at his hand on her hip, at the closeness of their chests. Her heart beat rapidly against her ribs. She angled her head up at him. Part of her wanted to shove him away and shoot another arrow at him.
The other was too afraid to move.
He didn’t let go of her waist as he lifted his other hand. The sight of the dried blood sent waves of panic through her. “If you’re worried I’m going to tell him,” he murmured, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I promise I won’t.”
Adara tried to hide the heat that rose to her face at the sparks dancing over her where their skin met, fear and exhilaration battling for dominance. She didn’t have to hear the name to know he was talking about Dominic Nite. Had the King of Keys sent him for something else? Adara hoped the blood was only from hunting, but that was hard to believe when the only weapon this Andreilian carried was a dagger sheathed at his belt.
She lifted her chin, summoning all the confidence she could, wishing her nerves would quit sparking beneath his touch. “How do I know that’s not a lie?” she asked, gaze locked on his, falling into those beautiful emerald pools.
He shrugged. “You don’t. But why would I lie when I’m going to tell you that the water you’re seeking is on that mountain?” He turned, finally releasing her and pointing to the summit towering in the distance. She subtly stepped away from him and the stream. Her breaths came easier now, the air fresh in her lungs. “And I suggest you stay on the outside of the island. Thebeach is the safest. It may take longer, but the mountain is also easier to scale on the north side.”
Adara’s fingers twitched near the hilt of her sword. Why was he helping her find the enchanted water? Was he leading her right into a trap? It was far too easy to just happen to run into an Andreilian that was willing to help her. “Won’t Nite kill you if he finds out you’re helping me?” she asked, prodding to see if he would slip up.
“He’ll never have to know.”
“How do I know this isn’t some kind of trap? Lead me toward the awaiting Andreilians to take me back to your king.”
“Because,” he said, voice low and threatening as he lifted the tip of the arrow to her neck. She hadn’t even seen him pull it from the tree after she’d shot at him.
Adara retreated a step. He followed. Bark bit into her back, her spine pressed against a tree, leaving little space between them. Her heart hammered in her chest as he angled the arrow upward, just below her chin, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “Why bother bringing you back to him when I could kill you right here if I wanted to? When I could have you all to myself.” His eyes were alight with twisted amusement. They were close enough so that if she were to move, her lips might brush his own.
Adara stood frozen, heart pounding, unable to move with his face so close, an arrow to her throat, and her back against a tree. His other hand was placed firmly beside her head, caging her in. His breath tickled her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but let her eyes roam over the sharp angles of his face, down to those lips that were dangerously close to hers, and back up to those bright emerald irises.
He had this glint in his eyes that made it hard to resist his charm. He had this tilt to his soft lips that made her think his kiss would be the loveliest to ever exist.
And he had this grin that made her wonder how many girls had died for that look.
He’d probably lost count.
In a flash, Adara pulled the dagger from her vambrace and pressed it to his throat. “Why shouldn’t I kill you now that I have all the information I need?” she fired back. “You’re no longer of use to me.” Pressing the blade deeper made him step back, finally giving her room to breathe without sharing air with him. But he still held the tip of the arrow to her throat at arm’s length.
The Andreilian cocked his head to the side, a strand of chestnut hair falling over his forehead. “I’d like to see you try,” he challenged, a victorious smirk on his face despite having a dagger at his neck. His eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure.
“Not worth it,” Adara muttered as she swiftly drew back her knife and jabbed the pommel into his wrist. Surprised, he dropped the arrow, which she picked up and placed in her quiver. She took a tentative step away, waiting for the moment he would attack.
