Page 100 of A Hunt Bound in Blood

Cammon’s grip on me tightened, and I understood the wave of despair that flowed through the bond. I was certain he picked up the same from me.

The amulet was no more than a few hours away.

All these weeks, all our efforts, all the threats and danger and wonder and beauty and joy were almost at an end. One more walk, and we’d both have accomplished what we’d set out to do.

On top of what that meant for us, a fresh dose of fear crept up on me. “This was too easy, right? What if it’s a false clue? What if Tersey played us somewhere along the road, and this isn’t the right Widow’s Hood but a decoy? Or what if he was messing with people from the start and there is no amulet? What if everything he wrote was a lie and he never extended his life? Or what if the amulet is there, but he realized it doesn’t work anymore and that’s why this puzzle is… well, it’s unfinished, isn’t it? It’s like he had everything set up but nothing came of it. Why would that be unless we’re about to lose everything? We’ll be forced to go to war with the fae, and my secret will slip, and they’ll execute me for something outside my control, and everything I’ve worked for my entire life is about to unravel right here.”

Spiralling in my panic, I turned to look at Cammon and was only slightly reassured by the confident set of his jaw, the lack of anything other than certainty in his beautiful crimson eyes.

No, not only certainty. Sadness. A deep, flowing sorrow that cut beneath everything as he said, “It’s real, it works, and it’s close. We’re there, Glory. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

I swallowed hard. “How do you know?”

“Because you couldn’t fail at anything you set your mind to. You’ve lived twenty-five years with no one finding out your secret. Something that would have been impossible for most people. Anything you put effort into, you accomplish, and after all the research and work you’ve put into this, the amulet will be no different. We’re going to find it, we’re going to get on that ship, and we’re going to get you home. Then, once you have your library, you’ll change the world one obsession at a time. You have such a brilliant mind, and Evaniel would be a fool to let you go, even if he did learn the truth.”

Every word he spoke was so perfect that the worst of my spin settled, but the deeper, lurking dread remained.

“Maybe we should rest here for tonight.” It came out as a plea. I didn’t want to rush this final day. “We have time. We could make camp and get a good night’s sleep, grab the amulet tomorrow, and then head to the ship.”

“I won’t let you do this, Buttons.” Cammon’s hand slid from my waist to the back of my head, holding me steady so I had no choice but to look at him. “This will be your crowning achievement, and I won’t have you cowering from it because of whatever fears are holding you back. You’ve proved so many times on this trip that fear has nothing on you. Let’s get this done, all right?”

He stroked his thumb across my cheek, the touch sending tingles under my skin. Between us, the bond flowed loud and true. I sensed all the emotions running through it, his and mine, and couldn’t help but notice the faint thread cutting along the centre of it, stronger than the others but so new and fragile that I dared not name it. Especially since I had no way of being certain if it was travelling in both directions or only one.

“All right.”

Cammon bowed his forehead against mine, dropped his hand to intertwine our fingers, and led me forward.

For one last puzzle.

Cammon

XLIV

One last puzzle.

The words echoed in my chest like a second heartbeat. A painful, heavy thud that rattled my ribs and made each breath a struggle.

No longer did weeks stretch out in front of us. No longer days.

By the time we made camp for the last time tonight, we would have the amulet in our possession. Tomorrow, we would board the ship and sail back to the city.

Glory’s fears remained a constant guest on my taste buds despite my words of encouragement, but I didn’t share them. Although I also wondered what we would find under that tree, I knew in my gut we wouldn’t fail.

But what kind of celebration would it be once we succeeded?

That question stayed with me as we rounded another hill, following the directions on the map.

I thought of my life the way it had been barely a month ago. Free, loose, focused only on two goals: gathering wealth and ruining my traitorous siblings. The day Glory had walked into my office with Evaniel’s letter, I’d had no idea how much that was about to change. She’d offered me a chance to do my job, and the king had offered me everything I wanted in compensation. The only downside to the mission had been the company.

Now…

Now nothing mattered except the company.

I wondered how I would have felt about everything if the mutts weren’t tracking us, if the only thing I had to worry about right now was helping Glory find the amulet. Would I have been willing to let go of my revenge and shift my energy to something—someone—else?

It was a shame we’d never find out. I couldn’t turn my back on my hunters if they were coming after me. It was one thing for them to have set me up in the eyes of our father, but it was a whole other battle when they came into my territory to finish what they’d started.

For anyone to be out here following us meant they had to have heard about the deal with Evaniel, pointing to a spy in the king’s court. Not my problem. Or it wouldn’t be after I crushed them. Ideally before they caused us any more trouble.