Page 5 of What Whispers in the Dark (Promises of the Marked)

T echnically , Garrik had only told him to stay with her .

And he was—just … not with her with her.

As of yet, Alora hadn’t been troublesome. The pretty thing had been more restless than anything. Easily cured by a stroll to the arena and a little chat with Eldacar over a few books. He had no reason to suspect anything. No reason to check the tent beyond the occasional glance.

So, Aiden lounged by the fire, delighting in the evening air and his morning stew bubbling, unaware that behind him …

He never heard that quick slice of fabric. The footsteps. Never saw a shadow slip behind his tent and past Garrik’s. And he wouldn’t know that in his inevitable pursuit into the forest surrounding camp, his life would slip through his fingers …

Just as surely as Alora had.

This short encounter involving Aiden and Eldacar occurs between Chapters Fourteen and Sixteen when Alora escapes camp. This takes place after she encounters sentries outside Eldacar’s tent and then escapes into the forest.