Fall was in full force as Mira stomped down the cobblestone road. Leaves fluttered in the cold wind that promised much colder temperatures. Kids jumped and chased them as if their only concern was not letting the leaves touch the ground. The market was alive with haggling and yelling as farmers and merchants eagerly sold the last of their summer wares. Everything seemed normal so why did she feel like it was all coming apart?

  Mira stopped as her absent minded steps brought her to a familiar sight of yellow tinged paper spotted with dark ink writings. A local guard stood nearby, monitoring comings and goings with only passive interest. As Mira approached, he titled his head to acknowledge her before turning back to his observations. Mira scanned the bounty board as her mind raced with speculations and worry. Lioren was alive, but was she really?

  Reward: Missing goat.

  Mira shivered as she remembered the scathing confrontation between her idiot brother and Lioren. How coldly Lioren spoke as she accused Kale of spending gold, thinking she was dead. Mira had seen Lioren angry. But this was something else. Lioren was direct but never vicious. Then for her to turn around and forgive Kale? Without even a breath of an apology. Lioren was calm, understanding, and rational. This was emotional, biting and frankly, terrifying.

  Bounty: Bandits Ambushing the South Road

  Mira wrapped her arms around her shoulders as another brisk wind cut through her light summer clothes. She is recovering from almost dying. Mira told herself but it sounded as hollow as Lioren’s forgiveness.

  A dog barked nearby. Mira flinched.

  Lioren is sweet and caring. She is just traumatized from the attack, the poison, and now Kale’s moronic assumption

  Mira repeated the thought to herself until she almost believed it. She had known Lioren for less than a year. There was so much beneath Lioren’s skin. She will be back to normal soon.

  Wanted: Female Operative.. Mid twenties.. Dark hair, hazel eyes.

  Mira froze, her eyes refusing to look back at the poster she just skimmed. Impossible. Mira took a deep breath and slowly dragged her eyes back to the poster.

  WANTED: Female Operative formerly affiliated with the Order of the Four Locusts. Identified as follows:

  -Mid-Twenties

  -Dark hair

  -Hazel eyes

  -Skilled with blades

  -Tattoo behind right ear: diamond with a dot in the center

  Reward for any information regarding the individual's whereabouts.

  Signed by the wax seal of the Order of the Four Locusts. The Order had influence this far north?

  “Excuse me,” Mira turned to the guard and pointed at the poster, “by what authority does the Order of the Four Locusts have to place bounty posters this far north?” Her stomach churned as her mind raced with dangerous thoughts.

  The guard looked at her then at the poster, “Someone is paying a hefty price to have it on the board. That's the only reason it's still hanging there.” The guard spit on the ground as he turned his attention back to the throng of people passing by. Mira dared to turn back to the poster and reread it again, and again. Her stomach sank. It was vague, a coincidence, impossible. But as Mira entertained the thought, the more everything aligned with sickening precision.

  Lioren doesn't have a tattoo.

  But she always wears her hair down or braided to the right.

  Didn’t I see a smudge behind her ear when I was tending to her?

  No, Lioren doesn't have a tattoo, plenty of women wear their hair down or in braids, and it was dirt or blood, but it wasn’t a tattoo. Mira spun around in a rush that disturbed the leaves that littered the ground beneath her. It didn’t prove anything. But as Mira walked away, something wriggled in her gut, to the point she felt sick. She closed her eyes and bit her cheek. Then she turned around and snatched the poster from the board and stuffed it in her pocket.

  “I would be careful taking that job.” The guard called quietly after her, causing Mira to pause. “The Locusts aren’t tolerated up here and neither are their hound dogs.” Mira blinked slowly at him before turning away, heading back to the inn. She didn’t look back, but her hand stayed clenched tight around the crumpled bounty as if to make sure no one saw her take it.

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  Stoney eyes stared back at Kale as he stood, leaning against the window frame of their rented room. Anger and shame boiled his blood as he watched the town of Whistle Hollow go about their daily lives. The looming cold months had everyone busy as they scurried about the town. Yet, they were all oblivious to the stranger that walked among them. He didn’t know what pissed him off more; being dressed down in front of a half-empty room, or how obnoxiously right she had been.

  Kale ground his jaw and glared at his reflection, the new armor he’d been proud of this morning now looked like a polished confession.

  So it was my share that bought your new armor?

  How was he supposed to know she would survive? He shifted away from the window, the metal plates biting at his sides as they always did. He needed armor, didn’t he? The beast had crushed his old set like a tin can under its claws. And yet, she killed it. Took all the glory with a lucky dagger placement. Then defied all odds and showed up, smiling. Not relief. Not exhaustion. A fucking smile. When he had seen her last, she was drenched in sweat with her arm beginning to fester. Where was the infection, the fear?

  He shifted against the frame, the metal armor scraping against the wood. He replayed the conversation in his head again, hating how she played him. Even more so that he sat there, mouth agape while she cried her fake tears.

  Lioren doesn’t cry.

  That wasn’t her sitting at the table this morning. The Lioren he knew was quiet, sharp and careful with her words. Even when they were in a heated argument, Lioren wouldn’t stoop that low. Especially not in front of Mira. How could either she or Tomas believe those drops of lies spilling from her eyes. Whoever this person was, it looked like she was happy to have an audience. Lioren would never have a conversation like that in front of anyone let alone a tavern dining hall. Making him look like a villain in a room full of strangers.

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  His fists clenched tighter, as he tried to prevent himself from doing something rash. But what could he do? With Tomas and Mira wrapped around her twisted finger. Gods, fucking Tomas. Sat there eating up her little facade. What had he missed in the time between when they left and he arrived that morning? What venom had she fed him as she lay ‘dying’? Maybe he didn’t hear the edge in her voice. Or maybe he didn’t care. Kale let out a snort.

  Of course Tomas wouldn’t care.

  What had she done to him? As long as Lioren smiled at him like that, Tomas would follow her off a cliff and thank her for the fall. Gone was his childhood best friend. The one who he would sneak out with at night to explore the forest and play fight with sticks. And Mira…

  She had looked so shaken when Lioren left. He saw it in her eyes, even when she berated him for being an ass. Something lingered on her face like she had been slapped, and he was the only left for her channel that confusion on. This wasn’t trauma or survivors guilt talking over breakfast. That was a performance. A predator playing dead until it could strike. Mira saw it too, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

  No one survives wolfsbane poisoning.

  Rory’s words echoed. A confirmation he desperately needed. Not just to save his pride but to prove that Lioren was different. Maybe he should go back and find Rory. Explain that Lioren is very much alive and if he is certain there haven’t been any survivors before. There must be something Rory didn’t share. Something that explains Lioren’s change.

  Kale straightened out, stretching out the stiffness of standing still too long. He began to pace in front of the window as options danced in his head like the leaves in the wind. Slow steps at first, but faster as his thoughts began to snapped at each other like wolves. Kale paused, one idea blooming in his head and moved to his bed and fumbled in his bag for paper and charcoal. He scribbled fast, his strokes tight and urgent. A note to Rory. Nothing specific but enough to get a response. As he signed his name at the bottom, his hand stilled. As much as he would rather leave, to tell Rory in person, he couldn’t leave Mira and Tomas alone with Lioren. No matter what poison she is feeding them, Mira is still his sister and Tomas is still his best friend.

  Kale folded the paper and tucked it safely in his pocket before heading for the door. He couldn’t risk their safety, not until he had proof. He would find a courier. A fast one who could be persuaded to be faster. Until he got a response from Rory, he would watch Lioren. Lie in wait for her to slip up. If she really was still herself, then he’d eat his new armor.

  Either way, Rory needs to know, but Kale wouldn’t leave his sister alone with that thing.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The colorful laugh of children at play almost matched the multitude of colored stall canopies. Excitement and energy radiated from all sources as Tomas moved through the crowds with Lioren close to his side. Through the corner of his eye, he swore he could see her brow furrow in either pain or concentration or even both. She would grab his hand, follow it with a deep breath and only then would her face relax.

  Fall breezes brought smells of smoked meats, pastries and firewood. Vendors shouted about last minute deals as Tomas found a nice spot to retreat from the flow of the crowds. He watched Lioren’s eyes dart between stalls, tracking details like she always did. Except this time, there was a strange detachment behind her eyes. Like she almost didn’t know what to do.

  Her eyes found his and she smiled. A smile that reignited the warmth in his chest and made him believe that any suspicion was just a figment in his mind.

  “Those sugar almonds smell amazing.” Her voice was light, almost giddy as she grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the vendor selling the sweet treats.

  “How much?” She asked with a flirty smile. The vendor gave his price and Lioren bartered him down with a flutter of her eyes. Tomas watched, stunned. The quiet girl who once paid whatever she was told was now batting lashes and bargaining like a vendor herself. Laughing. Talking. Alive in a way that didn’t quite feel like her.

  He chuckled as she handed him a few of the sugar almonds. “Careful, you almost look like you are enjoying yourself.”

  “Maybe I am.” Her smile was brilliant but Tomas could see it. Her eyes didn't wrinkle with the smile. He popped a couple of the nuts in his mouth to cover his unease and watched her as she enjoyed hers.

  “Ugh, these are so good!” She exclaimed and ate another one. “They remind me of home.”

  Tomas’ eyes lit up at the opening. He held his arm out for her to take and she took it with a teasing smirk.

  “Where is home for you? I don’t think you ever told me.” He asked, watching her face. Her eyes hardened for a moment and she looked down. For a moment, Tomas worried her wall came back up but to his surprise, she answered him.

  “The south, farther than most travel without a map they can’t afford to lose.” Her voice was serious as she ate another almond. Tomas waited, his brow furrowed in confusion.

  “It’s dry. Red earth, black stone. Nights so quiet, it hurts your ears. When the wind blows, it carries everything. Secrets, lies, curses, prayers of the damned.” Her lips pursed as she tried not to laugh. Tomas rolled his eyes in amusement as Lioren’s snicker turned into heartfelt chuckle.

  “And here I was thinking I was getting through to you.” Tomas teased and bumped her shoulder. Lioren smiled back at him, her eyes watching his. With an exasperated sigh that was way more flourished than it should have been, she handed him a few more almonds.

  “I’m from Catheris. A rather large city built along a volcanic mountain range. It’s beautiful, and brutal.” She admitted, her eyes darkening briefly at secret memories. Tomas took her hand and fished the almond out from between her fingers. Her eyes flashed with dangerous playfulness as he placed the almond between his teeth and made a face at her.

  To his surprise, Lioren leaned forward, faster than he could react, brushed his lips in a playful ambush that left him speechless and stole the almond. Lioren smiled as she crunched the snack between her teeth and raised her eyebrows at him. Before he could react, there was a loud crash behind Lioren as a cart toppled a merchant's stall. Startled, she snapped around her hair whipping over her shoulder, the almonds scattered and her hand gripping her dagger.

  “Woah, easy, Lio. Easy.” Tomas placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and her head snapped back, eyes wild. He half expected her to draw her dagger on him until she blinked and calm entered her eyes once more.

  “Sorry, habit.” The words came too quickly.

  “It’s ok.” Tomas put his arm around Lioren’s shoulder and pulled her close and away from the commotion. They kept walking, the lightness between them fading with every step. She remained close to him but she felt rigid. Tomas took a deep breath, trying to collect himself enough to say something meaningful.

  “You’ve been smiling a lot today.” He murmured, carefully as to not spook her more.

  “Is that bad?” She didn’t even look at him. Her eyes remained forward, watching, analyzing.

  “No, not at all.” He paused, biting his lip as he thought of what else to say. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Lioren slowed to a stop, watching him from the corner of her eyes, like she was waiting for him continue.

  “You had a rough couple of days.”

  “Rough is an understatement.” She muttered bitterly and Tomas winced.

  “Exactly, I don’t want you to feel like you have to act a certain way.” He leaned his head close to hers. “You don’t have to pretend with me.” He whispered and his heart broke as something behind Lioren’s eyes shattered.

  “I am… trying.” She whispered after moment that seem to stretch on to long, her voice hollow and nearing defeat. That was it, no elaborate excuse, no deflection.

  Just… I am trying.

  Tomas stepped closer, wrapping her in his arms and resting his head on hers. “I know you are.” Her arms squeezed him back briefly in acknowledgment or perhaps gratitude.

  “Am I still me, Tomas?” Her cracked voice crushed him as he pulled back to look in her eyes that held a fear he hadn’t seen before. She was scared of something. No, she was petrified of it.

  “Of course you are,” he said too fast. Too certain. Like if he said it quickly enough, it would make it true.

  All he wanted to do was to fight off the fear she carried. To make her feel safe again before they took that stupid job. He wanted her to open up to him but only if she wanted to. He brought her close in another embrace but a thought nagged him in the back of his mind.

  You’re trying to be.