Page 78 of Marked

Ace shook his head. “We’ve seen enough. I think it’s safe to assume Shona died the same way. Let’s get out of here before the coroner comes to her senses and turns your brother down.”

“Good point.”

Our boots slapped the hard tile floor, echoing our escape as we walked through the empty hallways. My heart raced in my chest, caught between exhilaration and fear. Someone yelled behind us. With a jump, I started to run, and Ace kept pace beside me. The man drew closer, letting out a string of curses as he gave chase. I pumped my arms and dropped my chin. Each step was driven by a desperate need to go faster, to go farther. I refused to get caught in the Death House, especially when I was the only hunter known for carrying a quiver full of magic arrows. The same arrows that would match the murder weapons used on two bonded galeons.

The man behind us yelled again, calling for us to stop, but it didn’t matter. It was too late for him to catch us now.

With Ace close behind me, I burst through the doors and into the cool night air, barely slowing as I half slid, half jumped down the fire exit. With another rush of adrenaline, I rounded the corner and entered the shadows of the city.

Only when we were a few blocks away did we finally stop running. Hidden in a dark alley, I bent over and gasped for air as I tried to slow down my hammering heart.

Ace leaned against the rough brick wall of a nearby building, his eyes closed, and his head dropped back in exhaustion.

“Well, not the smoothest exit,” I said. Did we have to run? Maybe. Maybe not. It wasn’t worth the risk of getting caught and I didn’t care to discover what happened if we overstayed our welcome in the Death House.

“Let’s get a drink,” Ace said.

“What?”

He pushed off the wall and studied me, his lips teasing up at the corner. “We made it out, but probably drew a lot of attention. They’re likely to watch the city gates. It’s what I would do.” He nodded in the direction of the one entrance to the city that remained open at night. “It’s not against any rules for us to be here. We should go for a drink, discuss what the phaan is going on and let the heat from our hasty exit cool down. We can leave in a few hours or even wait until the morning.”

I glanced up at the night sky. “Morning isn’t that far off anyway.”

Nothing he said was incorrect. But while his idea made the most sense for evading capture, it still felt dangerous. And I was sick of being in danger.

No, that wasn’t quite right.

I lived a life of danger and was used to constantly feeling on edge, on guard. But lately things had become chaotic. When I hunted poachers in the Danu, I had control, knowledge, and skill on my side. Now, I felt uneasy because I was in the dark about so much, too much. I had been attacked, ambushed, and now apparently, set up as a murderer.

And it all started when Ace arrived.

“Well?” Ace asked. “Shall we grab a drink?”

Before he could react, I grabbed the leather strap across his chest and pushed him against the cold wall, my dagger pressed to his throat.

“A no would’ve sufficed,” he said. His dark gaze sparkled with amusement, and he reached up to prick the tip of the dagger with his gloved finger. “Oooo. Sharp.”

I glared at him, trying to find a way to voice the turmoil in my mind. Taking in a deep breath, I focused on why I was so angry.

“Maybe try using your words?” Ace suggested.

“All this shit started after you arrived,” I finally said. “It’s one phaan of a coincidence.”

Ace swallowed, his Adam’s apple scraping along the cold edge of the blade, but he continued to smirk as if I couldn’t end his life with a flick of my wrist.

“Not a coincidence at all,” he said. “I think the queen knew something was going on and wanted you protected.”

I pressed the edge into his skin, and blood pebbled around the blade. My leather gloves creaked as I clutched the handle tightly.

“Maybe,” I said. “Or maybe you’re the reason I’m in danger in the first place. That was my arrow beside Dita’s body. You’ve had access to my weapons the entire time.”

“Only split ones,” he said, his gaze blazing. “Besides, everyone in town has access to your arrows. You have a large trap door big enough to allow Nala and pretty much anyone else into your workshop. Perga isn’t exactly a secure location, either. It’s mostly just an incestuous free-for-all.”

My mouth twisted down. “Gross.”

“Yet accurate.” He leaned forward, pressing his throat into the blade without any apparent concern for his life. “I’d also like to point out you were attacked once before I arrived.”

Phaan.

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