Page 177 of Huntress

She recoiled as if he’d slapped her. She’d always relied on Morgan to have her back. He may not always agree with her decisions, but he was usually reasonable. Kind. She’d never seen him like this.

He kicked his bag and walked into the woods, the opposite direction from where Angela had run.

Saint moved without her asking, following the sniper at a discreet distance. He’d know he was being watched; Morgan was too observant to miss it, but he wasn’t likely to retaliate. If he fought the wolfhound, he’d have to fight Elsie too, and that was one fight he’d never win.

Riven grabbed her in a tight hug. “You did the right thing.”

“I know.”

Elsie stoked the fire, making it burn hot until the bones crumbled. She snuffed the fire out and buried the bones, marking the spot with a large stone.

She paced around for a while, her nerves shot. Anxiety built every day, and Elsie wasn’t sure how much more she could take. She’d have taken Saint and run by now if it weren’t for the damned ravens.

Morgan kept to himself when he returned. The sniper snatched up his bag and led the way back to a place he’d found to make their camp for the night. He kept muttering angrily under his breath. Once they arrived, he set up his tent and shut himself inside.

“I’ve never seen him that angry,” Elsie said quietly, hours later, after the sun had gone down.

“I get why you’re so paranoid about anyone discovering your relationship now. Unfortunately, I really can’t take you back to the mage village with me, but if I were you, I’d be coming up with my exit strategy,” Riven suggested.

“It’s not that easy, though I wish it were,” Elsie sighed.

“I liked Morgan. I thought he was a great guy, but underneath?”

“He is a great guy, within the confines of training and indoctrination,” Elsie defended him, a gut reaction. “He was born into the role, and the hunters beat this stuff into their brains from the time they can walk.”

“That doesn’t change my opinion of him. He’s a grown man capable of using his own brain, and he’s choosing to be an ass. I trust you, but I don’t feel safe with your people anymore. The second we get back to the compound, I’m grabbing my gear and leaving. My morals won’t allow me to continue living among people who can justify killing that woman and her boy. I’ve learned what I came to learn, and that’s enough. The hunters are fucking barbarians.”

“I’ll miss you when you go.”

“Of course you will. You don’t have anyone else around you that hasn’t been brainwashed. Except him.” She jerked her head at Saint. “I’m going to try getting some sleep, you should as well.”

“I’ll try,” Elsie lied, knowing she wouldn’t sleep a wink. She had to keep an eye on Morgan and make sure he didn’t try sneaking out in the middle of the night.

Once the mage was in bed, Saint opened his sleeping bag to share under the stars. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her back; their bond told him exactly what she needed. Comfort, not words.

Two weeks later, Elsie, Perrie, and Marley stood around Riven.

“Please don’t leave, it’s more fun with you here!” Perrie pleaded.

“Sorry, girls, I’m not interested in staying with people who hunt and kill their own. It’s against my morals.”

“It’s the way things have to be in an organization as large as ours. Law and order have to be maintained. If that woman had followed the rules, she’d still be alive right now,” Marley objected, though she shifted her weight uncomfortably. “I’m with Pear, please don’t go.”

“I’ve already told you what I witnessed and why I’m against it. I was hoping you’d agree with me, but honestly, since the two of you think what happened was okay, you’re just as bad as the rest of them, Mar.”

Marley stepped back, crestfallen. Riven’s jab had hit the mark, and it stung.

The mage hugged Elsie several times, both women in tears. “Maybe we’ll catch each other out there sometime,” Riven said, though neither of them believed it. Mages tended to stick to their own, and outsiders weren’t welcome. Backing away several steps, the mage blew a few kisses, then turned and walked through the barrier, leaving them behind.

Elsie watched her go for a moment, Saint at her side. Clearing her throat, she glanced up at him, then started making her way back to their room. Only then did she spot Trenton and Morgan standing a short distance away, speaking too quietly to be overheard. They stared at Elsie and glared at Saint, arms crossed over their chests.

A chill ran down into her bones, and Elsie couldn’t shake the thought that someone had just walked over her grave.

Chapter thirty-four

Chapter 34

Riven was barely out of sight when Trenton and Morgan approached. Elsie watched them come in slow motion. Her nerves screamed danger! and a ringing in her ears overtook all other sounds.