Fate of the Marked

Safe

Susan folded her arms with a knowing smirk. "So," she drawled, tilting her head toward the scorched alley. "Lucian, huh? Didn't think he'd crawl out of whatever pit he's been sulking in."

I exhaled sharply, still catching my breath. "I... don't know why he was here." My fingers tightened around my staff. "He ambushed me. Maybe he thought I was an easy target."

Rowan grunted thoughtfully, resting his lance against his shoulder. "Doubt it was random. Demons don't waste time without purpose." His keen eyes scanned the remains of the alley as if expecting Lucian to reform from the ashes.

Sir Cedric nodded slowly but kept his gaze fixed on me. "He knew you were here. Which means... someone else knows."

The unspoken implication hung heavily in the air—Astoroth knows.

I sighed, pressing a hand to my temple. The fatigue of the fight was catching up to me, pounding like a drum in my skull. "I should've expected something... but—"

Sir Cedric's nose wrinkled, cutting me off. "Not to be rude... but you smell like—"

I flushed, immediately slapping a hand over my mouth. "I might've had a drink," I mumbled through my fingers.

Rowan let out a rare snort of amusement, while Susan burst into open laughter. "Might've? I can smell the brewery from here!"

I groaned, mortified. Before I could defend myself, Susan stepped forward, still chuckling. Her hand began to glow softly with holy light. She gently placed it on my shoulder, and a soothing warmth spread through me like a gentle breeze clearing away a storm.

The throbbing ache in my head vanished instantly, replaced by clarity and refreshment. Even my clothes felt clean, as though I hadn't been staggering through the streets just moments ago.

I blinked in astonishment. "I—thank you."

Susan winked playfully. "Perks of being a priest."

Sir Cedric smiled faintly, clearly relieved, while Rowan gave a satisfied nod.

Rowan studied me with a rare softness in his gaze. "Are you... okay?"

I knew what he meant. He wasn't asking about my injuries—he'd seen me walk away from worse. He was asking about something deeper: the betrayal. The raw, cutting realization that I'd been played like a fool.

I let out a long breath, tightening my grip on my staff. "I don't know." My voice trembled despite my best effort. "I trusted him... thought he was on our side."

The words burned like acid on my tongue. "I brought him to the King's palace. If it weren't for all of you, he could've—"

"Stop."

Sir Cedric's warm, calloused hand settled firmly on my shoulder. His presence was steady, grounding me like solid stone. I looked up, startled, and found his brown eyes fixed intently on mine.

"I'm sorry... for accusing you." His voice was low, sincere. "Rowan told us everything. You're cleared of all suspicion." He hesitated, his gaze softening further. "And... I'm sorry you had to go through that."

He leaned in slightly, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek. His sincerity was disarming, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the weight on my chest lightened just a little.

I managed a faint, genuine smile. "Thank you... Sir Cedric."

His mouth quirked into a small smile of his own. "Cedric's fine."