Asher's POV
The guard stepped closer, eyes narrowing in the dim light of the underground passage. I could smell the ale on his breath even through my masked scent.
"I said," the guard growled,
"state your name!."
For a second, I considered slitting his throat. Quick, clean, no witnesses.
But killing him here would raise questions I didn't need right now.
I forced my body to relax, dropping my hand from the dagger's hilt and letting out a long, annoyed sigh.
"Name's Corin," I said flatly, pulling a name from a dead man I once knew.
"Assigned from East Ridge two days ago. Captain Renn sent me down to check patrol rotations."
The guard blinked, clearly not sharp enough to question the authority of a supposed captain. He squinted through the haze of ale, then grunted.
"East Ridge?" He let out a dry laugh.
"No wonder you look half dead. That place's a pisshole."
I gave a humorless smirk beneath my mask. "You have no idea."
He waved a hand dismissively. "Get outta here, then. Go join the others up by the Alpha's mansion. Heard there's extra watch needed after some rogue scare last week."
I gritted my teeth.
I needed to reach the underground. But pushing it now would only get me caught.
So, I gave a sharp nod. "On it."
The guard lumbered off down the tunnel without a second glance.
Frustrated, I turned and retraced my steps through the passage, back out to the cold night air. Every second wasted gnawed at me, but the mission came first and until the opportunity opened again, I'd have to fall back.
*****
At the Outskirts
I moved through the trees, following the old hunting trail that looped around the outer edge of the estate grounds. The moon hung low, bathing the path in pale light.
Mark was waiting by an old hollow tree stump, leaning against it with the lazy arrogance of a man who'd been killing time for too long.
"Took you long enough," he smirked.
"Get lost down there, lover boy?"
I scowled, pulling off the mask. "Ran into a drunk guard."
Mark chuckled, clearly amused by my irritation. "Well, did you find it?"
"Almost."
I was about to explain when a figure darted out from the shadows ahead.
Hooded. Cloaked.
Moving fast.
My body tensed out of instinct, hand going for my dagger but the scent hit me before my mind caught up.
Even masked, even dulled by distance and night air… I knew her.
Cassie.
What the hell is she doing out here?
I stepped back into the deeper shadow of the tree line, letting her pass by but then, she froze. Head lifting slightly, nostrils flaring.
She turned.
Sharp, angry eyes locked onto mine through the darkness.
And then she was coming straight at me.
Before I could react, her hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with surprising strength, and yanked me into the cover of a thick thicket of trees.
I didn't resist.
I didn't speak.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded in a low, fierce voice.
I kept my face impassive, playing dumb. "I think you've mistaken me for someone else."
Her eyes shone, the sheen of tears catching in the moonlight. "Don't you dare," she hissed.
"I know your scent, Asher. No potion, no mask, no disguise can hide it from me."
I stayed silent.
Because part of me wanted to pull her into my arms right then, to explain everything but I couldn't afford that weakness.
Her lips trembled, but her voice stayed sharp. "I want an explanation. Now."
I looked away.
I didn't owe her this, not here, not like this.
But gods, she deserved it.
She waited.
I said nothing.
The silence between us stretched thick and sharp as glass. I saw the exact moment her heart cracked in her expression, the flash of pain, the wetness she blinked away, the hurt she tried to mask with anger.
"Fine," she spat, releasing my wrist.
"Do whatever the hell you want, Asher. It's what you're best at."
She turned and stormed off into the night.
I let her go.
Because if I opened my mouth, the truth would come spilling out, and it would ruin everything.
The moment she was out of sight, Mark appeared from behind a tree, a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Smooth brother," he drawled.
"Really smooth."
I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
Mark held up his hands, laughing quietly. "Hey, don't blame me. She's sharper than you give her credit for. Could sniff you out in a blizzard."
I didn't answer.
Because he was right.
And the tight, miserable ache in my chest told me I was already far deeper than I'd ever planned.
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Cassie's POV
I stormed through the trees, branches scratching at my arms and cloak as tears burned hot in my eyes.
Damn him.
I should've known better. I should've never let myself fall for that cold, infuriating, stubborn man.
He'd barely looked at me, barely spoken, like none of it mattered. Like I was a fool for caring.
I wiped a hand roughly across my cheek and kept walking, heading nowhere in particular, just needing to put distance between myself and him and the ache clawing at my chest.
I didn't notice the figure trailing me.
Didn't hear the faint rustle of footsteps in the undergrowth, or the shift in the night air.
I was too caught up in my own head.
Why wouldn't he tell me what he was doing?
Why disguise himself? Why now?
I cursed under my breath, kicking at a loose stone on the path.
The forest was too quiet.
I should've noticed that too.
But all I could think about was the look on his face, the complete lack of emotion, like none of it mattered, like I was nothing.
A twig snapped behind me.
I spun, heart pounding, but saw nothing but darkness.
A cold shiver prickled over my skin.
I turned to move faster, stepping over a fallen branch when something sharp cracked against the side of my head.
Pain exploded behind my eyes.
I stumbled, a soft cry escaping my lips as the world tilted wildly.
Another blow came before I could react, sharp and vicious, and my knees buckled.
I hit the ground hard, leaves and dirt in my mouth, my vision swimming.
Figures moved above me, blurry, indistinct shapes, voices low and rough.
"Quick, grab her. Before someone comes."
Hands gripped my arms, dragging m
e off the path. I tried to fight, to scream, but darkness was already pulling me under, heavy and relentless.
The last thing I saw was a flash of pale eyes in the night.
Then everything went black.