Chapter 40

The whole house was silent and Ina quietly tiptoed to the garden. She was wearing dark clothes and holding her small bundle tightly. The whole house was quiet and she managed to slip unnoticed to the garden. She wasn't sure whether or not it was already midnight but it was better to wait here than to miss Gabriel. She hid in the back in the bushes. Her heart was pounding like crazy, she was nervous and eager to leave this place as soon as possible. Every single sound made her flinch in anticipation of Gabriel's arrival. It was slowly getting colder and Ina shivered both from fear and cold.

She had to admit she hadn't heard him coming. Gabriel simply appeared behind her and after placing his and on her mouth whispered into her ear.

"Hi gorgeous, waiting for me."

Ina almost screamed so it was good he covered her mouth. She nodded and before she was able to say something Gabriel kissed her. It was a long passionate kiss that she eagerly gave back. 

"I'd love to continue but we need to go. Now." He urged her while pulling her up. They moved deeper into the garden till they reached a wall, Gabriel helped Ina up and then with a quick move managed to get on the top of the wall as well. They both jumped down and Gabriel grabbed her hand leading her in the direction he only knew. Ina didn't ask any questions, she simply followed him. Gabriel did his job well, he knew precisely when the guards had their routes around the city and he was leading them taking a safe route. They finally reached a small house on the city outskirts, close to the wall.

"This is my house." Gabriel smiled when they entered. "It's nothing big but we will wait here till dusk, then you will dress up as my companion and we will leave through the main gate. You need to stay calm as they will check us. They know us hunters well, so they won't be very accurate." Gabriel looked out of the window, it was quiet. Nobody seemed to follow us. 

"Where are we going?" Ina asked

"I know a perfect place to hide, my best friend Rono is there right now. I'll take you there and return with him so nobody will suspect me. After three or four days I will come back to fetch you. Then we will leave this place. We can go to Rojans or Taren or wherever." He shrugged his shoulders, giving her a bright smile.

"Aren't you sorry to leave this place, I mean your home." 

Gabriel looked at her for a moment before he sat down on the bed and patted a place next to him. Ina followed his inviting gesture.

"You might think I have achieved something here, but no. I'm just a slave hunter. I will never rise to anything more. I realized that when that fucker Prescott cheated on me. I was supposed to become his partner and later the owner of this business but no. First he promised you to me only to sell you off to that rich fucker." Gabriel frowned and stood up seemingly angry. "Then it all went downhill, he is using my skill but he gives nothing back. All his children have secured positions all but me. I'm done. He shall never see me as one of his sons." He hissed in the end.

Ina asked nothing more, it became clear to her that he must have been one of those illegitimate sons Assun once told her about. Born from a free father and a slave mother. In this sick society no matter how good he is, he shall always be valued as something lesser than a real citizen. Ina put her bundle aside, stood up and approached him. She gave him a hug. For a moment they just stood there. It was nice to feel someone's warm embrace.

"We shall find a new place for the both of us. You'll see." She whispered hoping she was right.

The sky turned gray and Ina, clad in hunter's clothes with a cape and hood, was sitting on a horse. It was her first time on a horse so she panicked. 

"Easy, this horse is a calm one, used as a pack animal. If you don't pull him he will simply follow my horse, you will see." 

Ina nodded stiff as she was sitting on that big animal. The horse was truly an obedient one, he followed Gabriel's horse in a slow pace. They didn't hurry, Gabriel was riding first as he was about to do all the talking. 

She saw the opened gate and four guards standing next to it. It was already opened, Ina's heart was beating fast like crazy. She clenched her teeth together and tried to look calm. Her hood was covering her face and Ina was looking down on her horse. Nobody stopped them at the gate, the guards only greeted Gabriel.

"Safe hunting."

Gabriel responded with the same calling and they stepped into the gate. Ina breathed some air. She didn't realize she was holding her breath until now. In front of her eyes she could already see the vast desert. How long has it been since she last saw it? It seemed like it was in some other life she once had. Only a few steps more and she will leave this horrid place once and for all. 

Just as they entered the gate a group of men appeared out of nowhere. It looked as if they had been waiting outside the wall. A man clad in dark blue uniform stepped forward making Gabriel stop. He then came closer and with a sharp voice announced.

"Gabriel the Hunter, get off the horse."

"And why should I?" Ina heard Gabriel responding in a pretty nonchalant way.

"You are suspected of a theft. A highly valued young Omega belonging to the house of Frescot." Those words echoed in Inas head making her almost faint.