Huntress

Chapter 18

The next morning, I was off. Off to change the history of the world, whether common humans knew it or not. I pulled on a pair of camouflage pants that had been purchased for me and a neutral shirt. All of it was specially designed to control scent. In theory, if a deer could not pick up my scent, neither could a wolf. Which was why I was not taking any food with me, no matter how it was packaged. Surely me slamming a pepperoni stick into my mouth would grab attention I didn't want. And that was fine with me. I wasn't feeling particularly hungry anyway.

Once my hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and I had rechecked my gear, I called Cassey to come pick me up.

The ride was awkward. I knew she wanted me to say something. I didn't feel like I owed her or anyone else any words at this point. If I wanted my last moments to be in silence, then so be it. When we arrived at the drop off spot, I dawdled off to the ditch, wrinkling my nose as I smeared mud onto my cheeks. There were other options, sure, but Armond convinced me that this was the best. Using a cosmetic could carry a smell. This would help me mask any odor I was carrying too, making me smell just like the nature around me. It was just unfortunate that I was covering my own smell with something so pungent.

Then, and only then, did I force myself to talk to Cassey.

"I know Armond gave you strict orders to leave after three hours. Follow them. I have my cell phone on me. I don't think I'll have service when I'm on their territory, but I'll text you when I'm out, okay?"

Cassey's throat worked as she swallowed, unable to meet my eyes. "I don't want to leave you. I don't mind waiting all day if that's what you need."

I never thought that I would say it, but, deep down, I didn't want her to leave either. Now, it was too late to say those things anyway. "Hey, they don't call me Huntress for nothing, right? I'll get it done and be home before you know it. in the meantime, I don't want you getting in trouble with Armond. Go home after your three hours, okay? We don't want you raising suspicions while I'm in there. If they see a car parked here for that long, they might come investigate."

"Right." She nodded her head repeatedly as if she were trying to convince her heart as well. "Just be careful in there."

"I will be, promise."

Then the long trek began. It was one of the cleanest routes in and out of the royals' lands with multiple different lines to exit from. Since the first route was a mess and since I got caught there, it was an automatic no. with this option, there were very few challenges. No steep inclines, no ponds to weave around or creeks to leap over. And because it was so straight and flat, I had many options if I happened to get tailed or cut off. Which really just meant that I could die running instead of cornered.

For all of the anxiety that I had last night, I was surprisingly calm now. My mind was not racing with what-ifs. I wasn't considering all of the time I would miss out on with my parents. I wasn't worried about who would take care of them. I didn't think about my cell phone blowing up with missed calls and texts from Ryder after weeks of silence.

I could do my best to face what was coming, but I could not control it.

I trudged through the forest, hardly aware of the surroundings passing me by. The only thing I was searching for was wolves. Anyone other than the royals were explicitly not my target. However, that didn't mean I wouldn't defend myself if I came across one. I kept one hand on a small silver knife I had tucked away in my waistband. My mind kept returning to that black beast. I was sure that I had struck him. I was sure that knife should have made contact. And if my eyes hadn't deceived me, what was I supposed to do if I came upon him now? How was I supposed to kill something like that?