Page 70

Clarissa

I was dragged from sleep well before dawn by two islanders and Devora, who gave me a grimace and a quick “I’m sorry,” as the three of them ushered me out of the Base and to a strand of bamboo buildings about a mile east.

Sleep still clogged my eyes, my brain in that foggy, in-between stage where everything felt heavier. Devora shoved tea and a hot biscuit in my hand while the other two women took my measurements and disappeared into the back room of some sort of supply shop and armory all in one.

“To get you ready for the Hunt,” one of them said.

I probably should’ve been more concerned about being dropped in the middle of a jungle for two days, but after everything I’d seen in my life, it didn’t faze me. Nothing to really worry about.

But as the older of the two women passed me a pair of fighting leathers and placed numerous weapons into a large rucksack, I wondered what kind of a mess I was about to walk into.

“Do they expect me to fight an army of monkeys?” I muttered to Devora as she helped me pull on the leathers. There was a thick padding along the chest and shoulders, but the material was a stretchy, supple black fabric that melted into my skin.

“You can never be too careful,” the older woman said from several feet away. “It’s more than animals haunting those jungles, girl.”

The younger one let out a sigh as she tied the laces on my boots then looked up at me, her light blonde hair swinging over her shoulder at the motion. Hints of red dye were sprinkled throughout her braid, matching the beads around her neck. “Yvette’s always been rather superstitious.”

“Spirits never lie,” Yvette countered, wagging her wrinkled finger.

I glanced down at the bag full of weapons. “And what exactly are these going to do against ghosts?”

“Oh, those are for the wild animals.” Yvette shrugged. “There’s nothing that can protect you against the spirits.”

“Comforting.”

The younger woman—I thought her name was Thalira—rolled her eyes. Yvette swatted at her with a stick of bamboo. “Don’t disrespect them, girl. They’ve been around much longer than you.”

“As have you, you quirky old bat,” Thalira shot back.

“What are these spirits you’re talking about?” I asked. I didn’t necessarily believe in ghosts, but it was always interesting to hear the lore of the kingdom.

“Back in the War of Beginnings, the island was a common battleground between our two lands,” Yvette started.

Thalira made her way to the back room, tossing an exasperated, “Here we go again,” over her shoulder.

“It was mostly unoccupied and easy to get to from Veridia. Many battles were waged here on the northern and eastern coasts. Legends say there was so much bloodshed, the river waters ran red.” There was a hint of eagerness in the elderly woman’s voice. Quirky old bat is right , I thought.

“The number of lives lost on these shores is countless. Their spirits still rest among the sand and the leaves, a warning to those greedy for power. Some even think the Fates left a bit of their magic in the land to help the weary souls eventually find their rest.” Yvette edged closer to me, her green eyes gleaming.

“Others say it’s cursed. Not everyone who enters the Hunt makes it out alive, girl. ”

A shiver crept down my spine, but I met her gaze, willing my face into nonchalance. “Well, I’ve had enough curses to last a lifetime.”

Thalira strode back across the small room.

“Oh, don’t listen to her. Only one person has ever died during the Hunt, and it’s because they accidentally stabbed themself in the hand, and it got infected.

Quite the scary story,” she said, wiggling her fingers mockingly.

“There are no spirits or curses. Now, here.” She held out the most beautiful bow I’d ever seen, smiling when my eyes widened.

“All you have to worry about is hunting the blood stag.”

I fingered the upper limb of the bow, which was a light wood painted gold and inlaid with delicate etchings of vines. The grip fit perfectly in my hand when I took it from her. She passed me the quiver, and I looked back up.

“There’s only one arrow,” I said.

“Hope you’re a good shot,” she responded.

We made our way out of the shop to the lines of people waiting outside, all ready to send me off. Hector and Daelan Zeloria stood right outside the shop entrance.

“I told you our people are very fond of this tradition,” Hector said to me.

Dozens and dozens of families gathered on the busy street, waving colorful beads and torches above their heads. Excited smiles and lively conversation filled the morning air, charging it with anticipation that stirred in my gut.

Mother, Leo, Rose, and Nox all stood several feet away, looking just as taken aback by the buzz. Thorne was with Marigold and his mother off to the side. I felt his lingering stare on me as my eyes passed over him. A faint smile pulled at my lips until my gaze landed on Galen.

I hadn’t seen him in three days. His hazel eyes gave away nothing. They simply held mine for a moment before he nodded tightly, then turned away .

I let out a sigh. I’d deal with him later.

Rose approached, her eyes narrowed as she looked over at the crowd. “These people are crazy,” she whispered under her breath. I held back a snort. “How long do you have to stay out there?”

“Two days,” I responded. “Or however long it takes for me to find the stag and kill it.”

“I give it till tonight,” Nox cut in. “I bet you’ll be back before dark.”

“No, it will take her at least a day without her Shifter half,” Leo argued.

Nox studied my brother. “Willing to put your money where your mouth is?”

“How does three silver coins sound?” Rose interjected.

“I can tell you’re all really going to miss me,” I said with a laugh.

“If you don’t come back, does that mean I get to be emperor?” Leo asked as he flung an arm over my shoulder. The heat from his cloak made me sweat just thinking about it, but I knew he had to hide his tail somehow. “Go get your prize, big sister,” he said, pulling me into a hug.

The others wished me good luck as Hector and Daelan urged me toward a chariot pulled by a large golden-brown horse.

Devora hurriedly stepped up to my side and handed me a second bag, this one full of imperishable foods, a canteen of water, rope, and a fishing hook.

I shot her a quick smile of thanks before the roar of the crowd drowned out everything else.

A chant worked its way down the street, faint at first, then stronger as more people joined in.

I squinted as I strained to make out the words. “Are they saying?—”

“ Bring us blood! Bring us blood! ”

Devora and I exchanged a glance. These people were crazy.

She gave me a wry grin. “Good luck. Don’t die.”

This time, I couldn’t help but snort. “Thanks, Devora. Always helpful. ”

I swung the golden bow across my back with the quiver, hooked both bags of supplies over my arm, and grabbed the handle of the chariot.

Two days. I could do this. Honestly, some time away from the secrets and pressure and people didn’t sound too bad.

“Let’s get this over with.”

The chariot driver left me at a waterfall just west of the entrance to the jungles. He told me someone would check in here every eight hours to see if I was ready for them to take me back to the main village square.

And then he was off.

The sound of rushing water, of birds whistling through the broad leaves and insects chirping along the thick stream mixed with the humidity of the island. It pushed against my skin, making my head buzz.

I took a deep breath of the warm, muggy air and faced east, toward the series of mountaintops in the distance and the canopy of low-hanging trees. I yearned for my Shifter senses—my heightened sight in the shadows, my ability to hear heartbeats in the distance, my speed and reflexes.

This must be what normal people felt like.

As I trekked through the jungle, my boots sloshed against shallow pools of water and vines tangled in my loose braid.

I thought the island had been teeming with life back in the main village, but here …

it was bursting. Monkeys swung from branch to branch, barely pausing to give me looks of curiosity as they chittered and picked at the tree trunks for bugs.

Colorful birds swept in and out of the leaves with wide wings that came so close, they brushed my cheeks.

The occasional snake slithered in the underbrush, and frogs leaped from beneath fronds when I crossed over the streams.

All four territories of Mysthelm were beautiful in their own ways, but this…this was my favorite. The wildness, the colors, the sounds. Knowing I was alone with no one to lead, no one around to see my masks, no hidden agendas lurking around the corner.

Even if my fox half wasn’t here to enjoy it with me, I still pretended I could feel it just under my skin. I imagined claws pressing from my fingertips, felt sharp ears fluttering to every sound, and saw my black nose lifting in the wind.

I turned my eyes to the mountain range in the distance and began the Hunt.