Chapter 22

"Well, we got into the city. Now what?" Crow asked as he and Amara walked through Arcadicia.

It was nearing eight o'clock, and the streets had quieted considerably, most people having retreated indoors for the night. Crow appreciated that. Fewer eyes on them meant fewer chances of complications.

"Find them, turn two into ash, take the one we need," Amara replied, her gaze drifting over the cityscape.

Her eyes lingered on a large advertisement for the Tournament of Greatness, the golden letters gleaming under the streetlights. Something about it seemed to catch her interest.

Crow stared at her, unimpressed. "You mean the thing you've been trying to do and failing at?" he asked mockingly.

Amara stopped.

If Cexir still had a working heart, it would have been hammering in fear.

Slowly, Amara turned, fixing Crow with an icy glare that could have frozen a lesser man in place.

"Hey, hey, calm down," he said quickly, raising his hands in surrender, his voice laced with nervousness. He offered a thin, uneasy smile. "I was just messing around, you know?"

Amara held her stare for a moment longer before sharply turning away, resuming her stride without another word.

Crow exhaled, shoulders sagging slightly in relief before his expression twisted into barely restrained hatred. *Goddess, this bitch. If only I could kill her right now.* His fingers curled into fists before he forced himself to relax. *Calm down, 'Kirk.' You'll get to kill her later. For now, just act how colleagues are supposed to act.*

Forcing his voice back into something resembling casual, he asked, "So... the Tournament of Greatness, huh? Have you ever been to it?"

Amara didn't spare him a glance. "No. I don't have time for it. Why? Have you?"

Crow placed a hand to his chin, pondering. "Define attended. Because I've been in the coliseum—just not to enjoy the show."

Amara arched a brow, growing impatient. "Stop being cryptic and just answer the question."

Crow scoffed before answering. "I was there to assassinate someone. One of the VIPs. Didn't work out—his personal guard took the shot instead."

"Hmph. Makes sense. You are assassin trash, after all," Amara remarked, her tone utterly dismissive.

Crow clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth, but said nothing.

"But enough talk," Amara continued, brushing past the conversation as if it were beneath her. "We need to find proper accommodations. I have to give a report, change out of these clothes, take a shower, rest, et cetera."

Crow gave her an confused look. "Alright? I know that. So why are you telling me?"

"Because you're going to be the one finding our accommodation," she said plainly.

Crow's irritation flared. "Fine, whatever. And what will you be doing while I do that?"

"Exploring the city. Tracking our target. Doing things that are my area of expertise. While you do your job—being a servant," she said.

Crow exhaled sharply through his nose, his patience wearing thin as he turned and stalked off to find an inn.

Amara watched him go, her lips curling slightly in satisfaction.

"Finally, some peace and quiet," she murmured, folding her arms as she turned her gaze upward. The moon hung high, pale and cold against the dark sky.

Her expression darkened.

"It's been so long since I've left the castle," she said to no one in particular.

Her eyes narrowed.

"If only that brat hadn't interfered, I would have been back by now."

Suddenly, an unknown voice addressed her. "Hey, suspicious woman who's talking to herself and looking very angry—I've got a question for you."

Amara's eyes narrowed further as she sharply turned to the source of the voice, venom already lacing her words. "Who dares to address me like that?" she spat, her glare falling upon a man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, dressed in all-black leather armor with a sword on his hip. His stance was relaxed, but there was something about him that felt... off. Too casual. Too confident.

"Me. I address you like that," he said, jabbing a thumb at himself. "Call me Wolf—"

"I don't ca—" Amara started, but he just kept talking right over her.

"You just arrived here from a long journey, right? Did you encounter any demons along the way?"

A vein in her temple nearly burst. *Who the hell is this man, and why does he think I have the patience for this?* If she weren't preoccupied with capturing Larkin, she would have burned him alive just for daring to waste her time.

"You would be correct. I did come from a long journey, and I did encounter demons. Now, I would very much like to not talk to a stranger. Please and thank you," she said, her voice clipped and devoid of warmth as she turned to leave.

She didn't even get to take a step before Wolf suddenly appeared in front of her again. "When? Where? How many? Were there any named or horned ones?" he pressed, completely unfazed by her irritation.

"Over a month ago. In a forest. A lot. And no, there weren't. Now, leave me alone," she said, barely restraining herself from incinerating him on the spot.

"Cool, cool," Wolf nodded along as if this were just some casual conversation. "Did you fight them off yourself? And if so, how?"

Her patience snapped. Raising a hand, she conjured flames in her palm, her voice lowering into a dangerous growl. "Want me to show you?"

A sharp hiss of metal rang out.

A flash of silver—

A shrieking sound—

And in the next instant, her flame was gone.

Amara's eyes widened in shock. *What—?*

Wolf was already sliding his sword back into its sheath like nothing had happened. "Come on, I was just asking some questions. No need to go threatening your elders over it."

Amara's gaze flicked to his weapon. *When did he even draw his sword?*

"But point taken," Wolf continued as he stepped back with a careless wave. "You really want to be left alone. So, bye, suspicious fire-magic-using woman. Thanks for answering my questions." Without another word, he turned and walked off, disappearing into the streets as if their encounter had never happened.

Amara stood frozen, still staring after him, her thoughts tangled.

"Hey, I'm back. Got us an inn," Crow's voice snapped her out of it. "It was real close by, so I'm guessing you didn't get much time to explore."

She barely registered his words, still too caught up in what had just happened. Crow slowed as he got closer, frowning when he noticed the expression on her face.

"Did something happen?" he asked, eyeing her warily.

Amara took a breath, then closed her eyes for a brief moment before shaking her head. "Nothing. Just show me the inn."

Crow shrugged and turned to lead the way, but her thoughts lingered on the strange encounter. *Just who the hell was that guy?*