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I climbed the back steps, taking three at a time to reach the hall outside the chamber. I’d only been gone an hour, if that, but before I reached the door, I already knew. Still, I had to check. I pushed the door open, finding only her lingering sweet scent. The room was empty.

The Maiden hadn’t waited.

HUNTED

The bitter surge of disappointment upon the Maiden’s broken promise quickly gave way to one of concern as I stared at the rumpled bed.

Her not being here meant she was out there somewhere, on the too-often-vicious streets, by herself, at a time of night when those often up to no good roamed. The kind of people who preyed upon the weak and helpless.

But the Maiden wasn’t exactly helpless. A wry grin twisted my lips. She carried a dagger—a wolven-bone and bloodstone dagger, no less—and handled it in such a way that backed up her claim that she knew how to use it.

Still, I stalked forward. Grasping a fistful of the blanket, I lifted it and inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet and earthy scent. Honeydew. Dropping the cover, I turned and left the Red Pearl. Outside, I scanned the dimly lit streets, quiet except for the muted hum of laughter and bawdy shouts coming from inside the numerous businesses.

She could be anywhere if she left the Red Pearl immediately upon my departure. I lifted my gaze to the distant glow of lights radiating from the numerous windows of Castle Teerman. The streets didn’t get safer the closer one got to the castle.

They actually got more dangerous because mortals no longer populated the areas. The closer to the castle you got, the closer you were to the Ascended, and after sunset, they would be moving about freely.

With her traveling dressed not as the Maiden but as a commoner, I doubted any Ascended would hesitate before helping themselves.

Anger took root in my gut, but I wasn’t exactly sure who it was meant for. The Maiden for foolishly endangering her life? The Ascended, who were truly to blame? Or myself for not ensuring she stayed put until she could be safely returned?

The Maiden was entirely too valuable to lose to a bloodthirsty Ascended.

Crossing the street, I headed for the bridges and pathways that cut through the portion of Wisher’s Grove that had been thinned out and used as a park by the most privileged of Masadonia. The entire Upper Ward surrounding Radiant Row, the homes, shops, and the park, were brimming with activity, my sensitive ears picking up on the distant sounds of carriage wheels and chatter. It struck me halfway there, bringing me to a complete stop.

The Maiden was clever.

She must be to have successfully evaded her guards and made it to the Red Pearl. I also doubted that was her first time escaping her personal guard and her pretty cage. She wouldn’t travel public roads, especially those that would be busy with the Ascended, who could only live their lives once the sun had set. She wouldn’t avoid them out of fear of harm, simply because she knew no better, but rather out of concern of being found out. She would…

Outside a quiet row of narrow townhomes, I looked back to the edges of where I’d just come from. The one place very few traveled.

Wisher’s Grove.

A smile spread along my lips. The deepest part of the Grove led right to the inner walls of Castle Teerman.

Cutting across the street, I hit the shadows of the townhomes and started to run. I reached the low stone wall separating the homes from the woods and vaulted over it, entering the Grove once more. I slowed, having moved too fast when I left to pick up on her scent. I still might not be able to catch it. Those wolven senses I’d been damning earlier would’ve come in handy now.

Recalling the faint trails where the grass had been beaten down from the tread of footsteps, I cut through the trees, coming upon the winding path of packed earth within a few moments. Sticking to the darkness, I followed the trail as it curved closer and closer to the edges of the area they’d cleared for the park. Only a handful of heartbeats later, I picked up on a scent that didn’t belong among the damp, rich soil of the woods.

Sweet. Slightly fruity.

My instincts hummed as I prowled forward, my pace increasing as I scanned the trees ahead, every sense on high alert. I moved silently through the woods like a predator tracking its prey. It was one of the only things Atlantians shared with the Ascended—the vampry. Our single-minded focus when we were on a hunt.

There.

A figure moved quickly in the shadows several yards ahead—a cloaked figure. My smile returned as I hit a burst of speed, coming within a dozen feet or so of…her. And it was definitely her. The breeze had her scent and was tossing it in my face.