The wind outside howls, slamming against the outpost like an impatient beast. Inside, the air is just as tense.
Soren leans against the old wooden table, arms crossed, expression unreadable. "You realize what you're saying, right? Fighting against my kingdom means fighting against an entire army."
I meet his gaze, unwavering. "I've fought worse."
Soren lets out a quiet huff of amusement. "Right. Of course you have." He shifts his attention to Killian. "And you? You're just going along with this?"
Killian exhales slowly. "You said it yourself—if I don't return, they attack." He gestures vaguely toward me. "And she's rather fond of not dying, so it seems we have the same goal."
I roll my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. The only reason you're still alive is because I haven't killed you yet."
Killian smirks. "Yet."
Soren watches our exchange, shaking his head as if he can't decide whether we're insane or just suicidal.
Probably both.
Still, there's no more arguing. We don't have time for that.
I pull a battered map from the outpost's supplies, spreading it across the table. "If your people sent scouts, they're already moving. What's their most likely route?"
Soren taps a point on the map—the valley pass. "It's the fastest way to your kingdom." His finger trails lower. "But if we move through the old hunter's trail, we can cut them off before they reach the border."
I narrow my eyes. "You expect us to take on an entire squad alone?"
Killian smirks. "You scared?"
I slam my dagger into the table between his fingers. He doesn't even flinch.
"Scared?" I repeat, my voice ice-cold. "No. Just making sure you understand that if we do this, there's no turning back."
Killian leans forward, his voice dropping just enough to make my pulse flicker. "I never turn back, little warrior."
I hate the way that stupid nickname twists something inside me.
Soren groans. "Great. Can you two save the eye-stabbing tension for later? We have actual enemies to deal with."
I glare at him. "Then move."
We gather what little supplies we have—what weapons we can carry—and step back into the storm.
The hunt has begun.
And for once, I'm not the one being hunted.