“You can never be too careful,” the older woman said fromseveral feet away. “It’s more than animals haunting those jungles, girl.”
The younger one let out a sigh as she tied the laces on my boots then looked up at me, her light blonde hair swinging over her shoulder at the motion. Hints of red dye were sprinkled throughout her braid, matching the beads around her neck. “Yvette’s always been rather superstitious.”
“Spirits never lie,” Yvette countered, wagging her wrinkled finger.
I glanced down at the bag full of weapons. “And what exactly are these going to do against ghosts?”
“Oh, those are for the wild animals.” Yvette shrugged. “There’s nothing that can protect you against the spirits.”
“Comforting.”
The younger woman—I thought her name was Thalira—rolled her eyes. Yvette swatted at her with a stick of bamboo. “Don’t disrespect them, girl. They’ve been around much longer than you.”
“As have you, you quirky old bat,” Thalira shot back.
“What are these spirits you’re talking about?” I asked. I didn’t necessarily believe in ghosts, but it was always interesting to hear the lore of the kingdom.
“Back in the War of Beginnings, the island was a common battleground between our two lands,” Yvette started.
Thalira made her way to the back room, tossing an exasperated, “Here we go again,” over her shoulder.
“It was mostly unoccupied and easy to get to from Veridia. Many battles were waged here on the northern and eastern coasts. Legends say there was so much bloodshed, the river waters ran red.” There was a hint of eagerness in the elderly woman’s voice.Quirky old bat is right, I thought.
“The number of lives lost on these shores is countless. Their spirits still rest among the sand and the leaves, a warning to those greedy for power. Some even think the Fates left a bit of their magic in the land to help the weary souls eventually find their rest.” Yvette edged closer to me, her green eyes gleaming. “Otherssay it’s cursed. Not everyone who enters the Hunt makes it out alive, girl.”
A shiver crept down my spine, but I met her gaze, willing my face into nonchalance. “Well, I’ve had enough curses to last a lifetime.”
Thalira strode back across the small room. “Oh, don’t listen to her. Only one person has ever died during the Hunt, and it’s because they accidentally stabbed themself in the hand, and it got infected. Quite the scary story,” she said, wiggling her fingers mockingly. “There are no spirits or curses. Now, here.” She held out the most beautiful bow I’d ever seen, smiling when my eyes widened. “All you have to worry about is hunting the blood stag.”
I fingered the upper limb of the bow, which was a light wood painted gold and inlaid with delicate etchings of vines. The grip fit perfectly in my hand when I took it from her. She passed me the quiver, and I looked back up.
“There’s only one arrow,” I said.
“Hope you’re a good shot,” she responded.
We made our way out of the shop to the lines of people waiting outside, all ready to send me off. Hector and Daelan Zeloria stood right outside the shop entrance.
“I told you our people are very fond of this tradition,” Hector said to me.
Dozens and dozens of families gathered on the busy street, waving colorful beads and torches above their heads. Excited smiles and lively conversation filled the morning air, charging it with anticipation that stirred in my gut.
Mother, Leo, Rose, and Nox all stood several feet away, looking just as taken aback by the buzz. Thorne was with Marigold and his mother off to the side. I felt his lingering stare on me as my eyes passed over him. A faint smile pulled at my lips until my gaze landed on Galen.
I hadn’t seen him in three days. His hazel eyes gave away nothing. They simply held mine for a moment before he nodded tightly, then turned away.
I let out a sigh. I’d deal with him later.
Rose approached, her eyes narrowed as she looked over at the crowd. “These people are crazy,” she whispered under her breath. I held back a snort. “How long do you have to stay out there?”
“Two days,” I responded. “Or however long it takes for me to find the stag and kill it.”
“I give it till tonight,” Nox cut in. “I bet you’ll be back before dark.”
“No, it will take her atleasta day without her Shifter half,” Leo argued.
Nox studied my brother. “Willing to put your money where your mouth is?”
“How does three silver coins sound?” Rose interjected.
