“I don’t care,” the soldier snapped. “We’re tellingeveryoneto go back to their homes, even your friend.”
“But—please. It’s extremely important.”
The soldier dropped his arm, his dark eyes blazing as he drew closer to me. I had to squash the instinct to straighten my shoulders and look him in the eye. Instead, I pretended to cower under his scrutiny.
“I saidleave. If you don’t follow orders, I’ll be forced to arrest you. Is that what you want?”
Several soldiers across the street were watching curiously. A few were making their way toward us. Not good.
I lifted my palms in surrender. “All right. Apologies, good sir. I know you’re just doing your duty to the crown. I’ll—I’ll do as you say.”
I turned on my heel, then froze as a voice boomed, “Theron! Is that you?”
During Theron’sexchange with the soldier, I’d slowly backed my way into an alley. The hunter was right; being invisible didn’t stop me from running into solid things. And he was attracting a lot of attention.
But when a militia man addressed him by his name, my blood ran cold. I instinctively ducked further into the shadows, even knowing no one could see me.
A thick, meaty fellow with gleaming gold eyes and pointed fae ears approached. He wore a belt full of knives and a bow and arrow strapped to his back. His wolfish grin made my skin crawl.
Theron stiffened, his nostrils flaring and his eyes sparking with recognition. The quivering muscle in his jaw told me all I needed to know.
This soldier was an enemy.
“Vikros,” Theron said tersely. “You’re a bit far from home, aren’t you?”
Vikros drew closer until he stood directly in front of Theron. Theron was taller, but Vikros was twice as thick.
“The queen enlisted my services,” Vikros said.
“What for?” Theron bit out. “I wasn’t aware of any threats to the city.”
“Ah, but how would you know? You’ve been missing for days.”
Shit.
Theron’s eyes narrowed. “Missing? She sent me on an assignment a week ago. I’m simply making my way back to her.”
Vikros’s gaze raked over Theron’s body with a smirk. “In disguise?”
“It’s a habit,” Theron snapped. “Part of my job requires subtlety. Something you could take note of.”
Vikros barked out a laugh. “Ah, I do miss your scathing barbs, Theron. Always such a delight.” He jerked his head toward Theron, and several soldiers surrounded him, swords drawn.
I lurched forward, though I wasn’t sure what I could do. My pulse roared in my ears. The smart thing would be to leave, to find Stella and hide until the chaos settled down.
But I couldn’t. I couldn’t just leave Theron to Calista’s wrath. He was nothing more than a slave, forced to do her bidding.
I refused to let her destroy him like she had my father.
I drew closer, my steps slow and careful.
To my horror, Vikros’s eyes shifted to me, spearing right through my glamour. I froze, waiting for his gaze to glance over me and move on.
It didn’t.
A slow smile spread on his face. “Who’s your lovely friend?”
A chill skittered down my spine.No, no, no.
