She pat Agatha on the flank before turning and striding for her tent.
“Wait, Aria!” Theo bellowed, following her, and the two of them disappeared into her tent. I would have followed them, but the way Agatha was still glaring at me had me turning and stalking for the forest’s edge. Sunlight slanted weakly through the trees, not yet heavy with the heat of midday. A slight shiver ran through me, and I reached to button my shirt that was still open.
At least we are on the same page about me leaving; that made it easier.
My chest felt lighter at Theo being here. I could tag along with him when he left, and I wouldn’t have to travel alone. He could give me intel on where best I should be or go next. I was sure he had updates from back home.
Something glinted between the trees, and my steps slowed. Someone was there.
Carefully, I scanned the treeline, searching for movement. It was quiet, maybe even a little too quiet.
There it was again, a flash of red between two tree trunks about thirty feet to my left. I hadn’t seen Aria leave her tent, and surely, I would have heard Theo if they had.
Shadowing onto a high branch, I peered down into the thick trees, but again nothing was there. I swept over the camp and the forest beyond, but nothing caught my attention. Camouflaged guards stood watch in the surrounding trees, blending seamlessly into the bark, but they made no sign that someone was approaching or that they saw anything unusual.
The tightness in my chest eased, and I was about to dismiss it as an animal or a pixie when, to my right, I saw the flash again. I moved stealthily to another tree, and there, beneath its dense branches, a girl moved silently between the trunks, making her way toward the camp. Though the trees were too close for a clear view of her face, she looked strangely familiar.
Tracking her from above, I signaled to the nearby guards, and I saw the trees rustle as they finally spotted her. I signaled again to stand down, but continued to follow her.
She seemed to be alone. I didn't hear or see anyone else, no daka.
The girl turned her head, and my foot nearly slipped on the branch I just landed on.
It was Cynthia—Zara’s maid.
No longer hesitating, I shadowed behind her, the hilt of my dagger slamming into her skull before she even noticed I was there. Her body slumped forward, collapsing inward, and Icaught her around the waist, holding her weight against my chest as I reached into my pocket.
My hand grasped the cool metal of the chain I had stolen from Xavier. I slipped it around her wrist. I had hoped to use it if I ever encountered my mother again, but it would be useful for now on Cynthia. My power rose to the surface of my skin, my fingers tingling as I forced the spell to activate. I shadowed both of us back near Aria’s tent, and Agatha immediately let out a yowl. The look of confusion on her face was probably because of the color of the girl's hair.
Aria’s head popped out of the tent, her gaze spearing right for Agatha, fear and concern shining brightly in her eyes, before landing on me and frowning. Theo's head popped out next. The smirk on his face fell, and the sarcastic comment on his lips vanished as his eyes landed on the girl in my arms. Recognition flashed across his face, and then I was the one frowning.
“You know her?”
Theo’s gaze cut to mine, and I could have sworn he was blushing. Theo sheepishly stepped out of the tent, his gaze going back to Cynthia.
“I had the pleasure of meeting her on my way here.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “She must have followed me.” Theo tilted his head at the girl, confusion written across his expression, as if he didn’t know what to make of her.
“She is one of them,” I stated, and Theo nearly winced, his gaze, which had been soft and curious, turned steely, but it quickly fell away again to curiosity as he approached me.
“I’ll take her to the interrogation tent,” I said, and shadows were already beginning to form around us, when Theo practically lunged toward me.
“No!” he blurted and basically ripped her from my arms.
Aria and I glanced at each other nervously and watched as Theo gently cradled Cynthia to his chest and started to walk back toward Aria’s tent. Before he could make it there, Aria stepped in front of him.
“What are you doing?” Aria spat, her hands on her hips. “Take her to the interrogation tent.”
“She isn’t a threat,” Theo said, though his words lacked conviction, as if he himself didn't understand why he was defending her. “I mean, she doesn't seem like one to me. Chatty, maybe a stalker,” Theo mumbled, “but not a threat.”
“Theo,” I interjected, “I know her from my time in Velra. She and Zara were close.”
Disappointment flashed in Theo’s eyes. A battle warring behind his brown almond gaze.
I continued. “We can’t risk it, Theo.”
Theo looked down at the unconscious girl, his shoulder dropping slightly as he nodded wordlessly. He turned, and something caught my eye on her waist. Theo was walking past me, and I reached out to get a better look, only to have Theo growl and spin toward me.
What was going on with him?
