Page 122 of The Devil's Trials

“Do you need—”

“All good.”

He eyes me for a moment, then nods.

I leave them and walk the estate grounds, then head toward the small village I frequented as a child. The old cobblestone streets are quiet, most of the shops closed.

There is no day or night here, and I don’t recall how the operating hours of these places work.

I pass one shop I don’t recognize—an art store. I’m stepping inside before I can stop myself, a small bell above the glass door ringing to announce my arrival.

I browse the small space for what can’t be more than a few minutes and pause as my gaze connects with the young woman behind the front counter. She has soft brown eyes and matching hair, twisted into a braid over one shoulder. The woman offers a faint smile and a subtle bow of her head, and I just stare at her.

I feel as if I should know who she is. She seems familiar, like an itch of a memory that refuses to form enough to comprehend. To make any sense of.

When she turns to reach for something on the shelf behind her, the dim light catches her bare shoulder, revealing a tattoo of two intertwined flowers. It’s simple yet unique and I…I’ve seen it before.

Recognition hits me like a blow to the gut, and my back stiffens. There’s suddenly a chill in the air, and my neck prickles with unease.

But it can’t be…can it?

I blink, but the tattoo doesn’t go anywhere—of course it doesn’t.

The shopkeeper turns back around, and the gentle similarities are so painfully obvious the second time I look at her, I find myself moving closer.

“Danielle.” Her name flies from my lips, the disbelief clear in my tone.

Her eyes dart across my face. “You know who I am?”

I release a surprised breath. “I do.”

Her lips curl into a faint smile. “I guess I should be flattered. Or nervous.” She offers an awkward laugh, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Should I be nervous?”

Shaking my head, my brows knit as I regard her, still unsurewhyI’m seeing her. “How are you here?”

“Um…” She glances toward the shop door before meeting my gaze again. “That’s kind of a complicated answer.” Confusion flickers across her features. “I’m sorry, I know who you are because, well, everyone here does, but how do you know me?”

I pull my gaze away, unsure how to navigate the situation. If I didn’t know better, I might believe thatthisis my final trial. But considering it’s the first time I’m seeing Danielle, her being part of my hell loop wouldn’t make sense.

“Camille—”

“You know my sister?” she cuts in, eyes widening with a mix of shock and concern. “How?”

“That’s kind of a complicated answer,” I echo her previous response.

Danielle crosses her arms over her chest, her expression hardening. Hell, even her mannerisms are similar to Camille’s. She opens her mouth but before she can get a word out, the front door opens, and none other than the royal guard files inside with their sights set on me.

“We’re here to deliver you to your final trial.”

My eyes narrow, tension filling my upper body, but I nod. I knew this was coming. I’m as prepared as I’m going to be. “Very well,” I finally say.

“We need to finish this conversation,” Danielle says in a firm tone.

“Of course,” I agree. “I’ll return once the trial is complete.”

She nods. “Uh, good luck?”

I exhale a short laugh. “Thank you. I’ll see you again.”

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