Whether Yennefer knew she was being followed or not, it didn't matter to Stephan. For all she knew, he was still that weak, F‑rank nobody she could crush at will. What she didn't know was that everything had changed. He'd grown stronger, far stronger, and, for now, he held the advantage.
And Anna Mary… she still believed he was the same. That suited Stephan perfectly.
They trailed Yennefer down the dimly lit sidewalk, keeping to the shadows. She hadn't so much as glanced over her shoulder. Her steps were calm, almost careless, like someone certain she wasn't being hunted at all.
Stephan's gaze sharpened. Inside the Abyssal Realm, battling Soul Eaters had taught him how to suppress his soul energy until it was barely a flicker. He sensed nothing from Anna Mary either; she clearly knew how to hide hers too.
They kept their distance, silent as drifting smoke, each step drawing them closer to the moment.
