Page 249 of A Dagger of Ice and Intrigue

---

Was the light stalking me now?

It pulsed at the edge of the forest, beckoning me closer.

Last time it had appeared, it revealed one of those masked figures hunting me.

I cocked an arrow and rushed forward. As soon as it sensed me following, the light flickered up ahead, faster than ever.

Perhaps it sensed how tired I was and wanted to punish me.

Still, I followed, all of my senses on alert.

My gaze dashed between the trees the further I delved inside the forest.

No cloaks, no masks, no scent of rotting flesh.

The light raced further, drawing me past the edge of the city. If someone attacked me now, nobody could hear me scream.

I should have alerted the guards.

I’d just told Geryll it was okay to ask for help, yet here I was, ignoring my own advice–

As I breached the clearing, a bone-chilling roar stopped me in my tracks.

I turned around, arrow raised, only to see a massive troll lumbering toward me.

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

The troll roared once more, shaking the trees and swinging its menacing mace around.

It opened its mouth, sharp fangs coming straight at me.

I pulled the string tighter, ready to launch.

I didn’t want to kill it.

Maybe if I hit its forearm, it would get spooked and–

As my gaze raced on its body with the training of a hunter, I saw blood coating its fur on the right leg.

I couldn’t see the wound, but it was obvious it was hurt.

My arrow shook against the bow’s string.

It barreled closed, quaking the ground.

I needed to decide.

Fast.

Then a voice I had been craving to hear broke the chaos. “Over here, you beast!”

Chapter

Fifty-Nine

ALLIE

---