Lioren ran.

  Not for speed. Not to escape. For movement. A moving target is harder to hit. Get to the city's edge, then she would be free. The thump of her boots on the cobblestone matched the pounding of her heart. She couldn’t stop. To stop would be to think. Thinking would remember the insignias of the locusts. Or how easily she killed, as if she was butchering an animal. Her body had moved before her mind even knew what had happened. And worse, she enjoyed it. The precision, the blood, the… chaos.

  Lioren sped through the gate and slammed her back against the wooden wall of Whistle Hollow. Chaos. An unhinged laugh bubbled up from the pit of her stomach.

  “Is this punishment or a blessing?” She whispered between laughs, up to the endless black, dotted with thousands of tiny stars. As if in response, the moon peaked out from behind a cloud, shining a spotlight on her. Lioren’s breath became slow and deep as her jaw clenched.

  I know what you did for the North.

  How did he know? That night never happened. It made no sense. She was promised, no one would know what happened. Lioren would be free to leave. No one from the Capital would look for her. But Chaos was a fickle god and it looks like she was playing in his game now. She had defied Law. And Her vengeance would come down like a hammer on the anvil. Lioren bent over with her hands on her knees. Her breath was even, despite her sprint through the city.

  The soft pads of footsteps approached and Lioren’s head snapped up as a vaguely familiar face drew closer.

  “Lioren? Is that you?” Jessabelle called as she approached the gate. Unease set Lioren on edge. Was Jessabelle a locust?

  “Are you ok? Is your side hurting?” Her voice was soft with concern as she stopped a few feet away, a basket hanging from her elbow. “I stopped by this morning but Mira said you were fine and just needed space.”

  “I am fine. What are you doing out here?” Lioren’s voice was clipped as she straightened up and subconsciously placed a hand on her dagger. Her heart clenched, not in fear, but excitement. No witnesses. She could be a locust. Lioren tilted her head back and took a deep breath. If Jessabelle was her enemy, then she would have let Lioren die. There is no reason Jessabelle would have helped her if that was the case.

  “I’ll take your word for it. I was just gathering some last minute things before we leave tomorrow. What about you?” Her tone was curious but not suspicious. Her eyes scanned Lioren as if looking for some answer hidden in her posture. Lioren shrugged.

  “Just needed a walk I guess." She dodged the question and moved to go back inside the gate. As she passed, Jessabelle dropped her voice, not in accusation but a strange realization.

  “You aren’t injured anymore, are you?”

  Lioren reacted on instinct, snatched Jessabelle by the front of her cloak and slammed her into the side of the gate. Jessabelle gasped as her breath was driven from her lungs. Lioren’s dagger pressed against her throat as the contents of her basket scattered across the ground.

  Dark purple flowers danced across the dirt road sparking an overwhelming feeling of revulsion that had Lioren recoiling from their hooded presence. With a grunt, her dagger fell and she shifted sideways, along the wall until the feeling grew faint in her mind. Behind her closed eyes, she saw a pair of golden eyes watching her from across a field of purple flowers, the moon bathed the clearing in a red haze. Her eyes snapped open, relieved as she saw silver moon light blanketing the wall and the hills behind her.

  “You have been touched by Kaelrix!” Jessabelle gasped from where she stood, back to the wall, amongst the flowers. Kaelrix!? Lioren looked up at her, confusion darkening her face.

  “You’re from Catheris?” Lioren’s mind screamed at her, that was hardly the most important question to ask right now. But only southerners referred to Chaos by his true name. Lioren tried to meet Jessabelle’s gaze but the flowers… It was as if she was staring at the sun too long, painful to the point she kept averting her gaze. It was a bonfire without light and she was too close.

  “No, I studied apothecary there for a few years.” Jessabelle corrected as she stared at Lioren in wonderous uncertainty. She bent down to pick up the revolting plant to examine it. “Wolfsbane.” She murmured before placing it back in her basket and picking up the rest of her scattered herbs. Lioren stiffened at the sight of its hooded petals. This flower wasn’t new to her, she would have recognized it if she could endure a second of looking at it. Dark memories rippled at the corners of her mind. There were wolfsbane flowers in the clearing of a hazy red dream she couldn't quite remember.

  “Veyra’s law bloomed into the wolfs’ bane of Kaelrix’s teeth.” Lioren responded, her voice distant and Jessabelle nodded. She had heard those words long ago, in a different life. That must have been why she almost died. The delay of the effect must have been because flowers weren't fresh.

  “So, am I cursed now?” Lioren threw her hands up and breathed a little easier as the last of the wolfsbane was picked up. It was Jessabelle’s turn to shrug.

  “All I know is that those playing in Kaelrix’s game cannot stand wolfsbane. How they play and by what means has been lost to legend. If you want those answers, then you will have to go back home to find them.”

  Lioren’s face fell and the small bud of hope withered and died. Going back would be a death sentence for her.. and anyone she would be traveling with. Her mind drifted to Tomas. How close she had been to just leaving.

  “I can’t go back.” Lioren whispered and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Jessabelle nodded, not wanting to pry. Then her face lit up with an idea. She bent to pick up Lioren’s dagger from the dirt and offered it to her, hilt first.

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  “We are leaving first thing tomorrow for Vorthane. It’s close enough to the border you might find some of the answers you seek. And we could use a strong show of force in case bandits decide they want to pilfer herbs and medicine.” Her smile was kind, too kind to be anything other than genuine. Lioren dropped her gaze to the ground, forehead creased in thought. Mira would be happy; she would get her festival. Tomas would follow her if she asked, she knew it in her heart like the sun would rise. Kale wanted to stay but had no valid reason.

  Her eyes narrowed, thoughts racing.

  Lioren looked up and took her dagger from Jessabelle with a smile that felt way too sharp.

  “At dawn then?”

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

  Lioren took her time returning to the inn and Jessabelle seemed perfectly content moving at the slower pace. They didn’t speak much outside of confirming travel details. The streets were quieter now, the dulled noise of tavern activity was the only sound drifting through the city. Lioren’s mind buzzed like an angry beehive, but her face was relaxed.

  The inn’s warm light spilled onto the cobblestone road, illuminating two figures waiting outside. Lioren tensed, an arm moving protectively in front of Jessabelle. But she relaxed when her eyes focused on Tomas who stood with his arms crossed, rocking on his heels with nervous energy. Mira sat beside him on the stairs, her legs bouncing and lips pressed tight with worry.

  Tomas spotted her first. “Lio!” Relief flooded his face and he jogged toward her. “Gods, where have you been?” He looked her up and down, expecting something to be amiss but she just shook her head and patted his arm.

  “I’m fine,” her voice was soft, but firm. Not unkind, but still on edge. Lioren’s eyes flicked to Mira as she followed Tomas, her expression shifting from concern to suspicion and back.

  “You were gone for over an hour,” her tone was sharp, borderlining accusatory. “We were about to start checking alleys.” Mira’s arms crossed like a mother scolding her child.

  Lioren met her gaze unflinchingly. “I bumped into Jessabelle. We talked.” Lioren shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, but the content of their conversation sat heavy on her shoulders. Jessabelle gave a small half-curtsy, tucking her basket tighter under her arm.

  “Apologies if I caused alarm. So I will see you all in the morning?” Jessabelle met Lioren’s eyes with a knowing smirk. Her eyes held mischief and a curiosity she almost couldn’t contain.

  “Tomorrow morning.” Lioren confirmed and turned back to Tomas and Mira as she led them back to the stairs. “ We are going with Jessabelle’s caravan to Vorthane.” She stated matter-of-factly.

  “We are?” Tomas blinked.

  Mira’s face lit up, then furrowed, then lit up again as if she couldn’t decide how to feel.

  Lioren nodded. “She said she could use the extra swords. Plus I think it’s a great way to repay her for saving my life.” Lioren gave Jessabelle a grateful smile which Tomas immediately mirrored.

  “Of course! Although, I am sad this would be my last night in a bed, our gratitude is more important than a restful night’s sleep.” Tomas chuckled and Mira tried to confirm once again they were going to Vorthane and when Lioren smiled and nodded, her excitement couldn’t be contained. Lioren chuckled as Mira hugged her, all suspicion gone as she started planning their activities with giddy energy.

  Jessabelle said her goodbyes and took her leave inside with a gentle wave. Lioren’s eyes fell on the doorway of the inn as Jessabelle entered and another figure moved to stand in the doorway.

  “What’s this about Vorthane?” Kale stood, arms crossed, the light behind casting his face in darkness as he looked at Lioren with untrusting eyes.

  Loren didn’t miss a beat. “We are going with Jessabelle’s caravan tomorrow morning. Departing at dawn.” She flashed him a knowing smile and she saw his hands clench for just a second. He stepped forward until he towered from the top step, his shadow casting perfectly over Lioren.

  “I thought we agreed it was too dangerous to go that far south.”

  Lioren looked up innocently, the depths of her eyes swimming. “I know but, I owe a life debt to Jessabelle.” She paused, letting her next words build up. “Aren’t you glad we have an opportunity to thank her for saving my life?” If looks could kill, Lioren would have dropped dead that instant under the cold fire rage burning behind Kale’s eyes.

  “Saved your life, huh?” Kale said, voice too casual—like he was daring her to say it again.

  Lioren didn’t blink. “I would have died without her. Figured that was worth a morning departure.”

  Kale crossed his arms. “You’re still injured. And exhausted. We should wait. A couple more days at least.”

  Lioren raised a brow. “Your concern is so sweet, Kale. But I’ll have both Mira and Jessabelle.” Her eyes flashed to Mira who was listening with intent, her head nodding in silent agreement.

  Kale’s jaw tightened. “It’s reckless.”

  Tomas stepped in, his presence calm, but firm. “It’s not ideal, but Lioren’s right. We owe it to Jessabelle. And the caravan offers cover and security. Especially if the south road is being watched by bandits.” Lioren’s eyes gleamed at him as she moved closer to Tomas who welcomed her with an arm around her shoulder.

  “We just got here. Maybe we wait until you're a little steadier on your feet.” Kale reasoned, his gaze fixed on Lioren.

  She offered him a sweet, saccharine smile. “Thanks for the concern. But I’ll be sure to lean on Mira and Tomas if I stumble. They’re better at catching me anyway.”

  Lioren continued to smile as the words landed like a slap. A breathless silence followed.

  Kale’s mouth parted slightly like he got punched in the gut and couldn’t get enough air. Then it snapped shut, his jaw locking so tight a muscle in his cheek twitched. His eyes became stone as he looked at Mira, his sister.

  Mira stiffened beside Lioren as his eyes fell on her. Her lips pressed into a thin line as her gaze darted from Kale to Lioren. Her mouth opened, like she wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat like thorns. Her head bowed under the heavy weight of guilt for choosing Lioren that morning and now being caught in the crossfire of a war she didn’t fully understand. Hurt flashed in Kale’s eyes as he turned to Tomas who blinked, his expression faltering as he blew out a breath.

  He ran his hand through his hair, unsure of whether to speak up or let it slide. Lioren cracked a smile as he chose levity, like always.

  “Well,” his chuckle was forced,” I am pretty good at catching things. Occasionally, feelings, but not knives.”

  Lioren shot him a sideways glance, and for the briefest moment, her smile was real. But it didn’t last as her attention drifted back to Kale, who now stood watching her like a man trying to win a war with no weapons.

  Kale took a slow step down from the top stair, his boots thudding dully against the wood.

  “You all aren’t thinking clearly!” He finally said, voice straining under the weight to say calm. “We should wait. Just a few days. There’s no rush to leave—”

  “I think we’re just not thinking your way.” Lioren interrupted, her voice becoming ice under her growing frustration. “And I know how much that bothers you.”

  Kale’s hands clenched at his sides, his expression on the verge of an explosion. But Lioren kept her gaze steady and daring. Mira took a sharp breath, all her excitement freezing under Lioren’s icy words.

  Tomas stepped up behind her, his hand resting firmly on her back. Supportive, but also a warning. Too far. But she was just getting started. The sickening pleasure of watching Kale’s resolve slowly die in his eyes was almost too sweet to ignore. She didn’t care.. But Tomas did. And despite everything, she cared about him. Lioren closed her eyes, breathing deeply through her nose. When she opened them, she walked up the stairs, pausing briefly and placing a hand on Kale’s shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for.” Then she dropped her voice to a whisper only Kale could hear.

  “You had your chance to lead. You left.”