Chapter 9: Running Toward Danger

Jarek Thorn had spent most of his life following one simple rule:

When something terrifying wants to kill you, run the other way.

Unfortunately, Lena Evercrest followed the exact opposite rule.

So now, instead of escaping into the wilderness like any sane person would, Jarek was following her straight toward the secret assassin cult that wanted him dead.

"Just so I'm clear," Jarek said as they trudged through the dense forest, "our plan is to find the people who tried to kill me in my sleep… and then introduce ourselves?"

Lena didn't break stride. "More or less."

Jarek threw up his hands. "Fantastic. Great. Nothing could possibly go wrong with this."

Lena smirked. "Glad you're finally seeing reason."

Jarek groaned.

They had left the ruins at dawn, traveling through the thick woods that bordered the Deadfang Mountains. According to Lena, the Shadow Covenant had hidden bases all over the continent, but the closest one—if her sources were correct—was somewhere deep within the mountains.

Jarek had many complaints about this.

For one, it was cold.

For two, he hated hiking.

And for three, they were literally walking into a death trap.

Lena, of course, had zero concerns. She moved through the terrain effortlessly, like she had been raised in the wild. Jarek, on the other hand, had tripped over a root five times in the last hour.

He adjusted the straps of his pack, frowning. "You sure this is a good idea?"

Lena gave him a sideways glance. "If you have a better plan, I'm listening."

Jarek thought for a moment. Then he snapped his fingers. "Yes. We leave the country, change our names, and open a bakery."

Lena snorted. "You can't even cook."

"I'll learn," Jarek insisted. "I'll make a mean loaf of bread."

Lena shook her head. "Sorry, but we're doing this."

Jarek sighed. "Why do I even bother?"

They traveled for hours, the forest gradually shifting as the land sloped higher and rockier. By midday, they had reached the base of the mountains.

Jarek wiped sweat from his forehead. "Okay. Now what?"

Lena studied the towering cliffs ahead. "We look for the entrance."

Jarek narrowed his eyes at the sheer wall of stone. "You do know where it is, right?"

Lena hesitated.

Jarek groaned. "You don't know where it is, do you?"

Lena smirked. "Details."

Jarek slumped against a rock. "Unbelievable."

They spent the next two hours searching. Jarek mostly just followed Lena, occasionally grumbling about his life choices. Eventually, she stopped near an overgrown section of jagged rocks.

"There," she said.

Jarek squinted. "There what?"

Lena pointed to a thin crevice between two massive boulders. "That's the entrance."

Jarek stared. "That's a crack in a rock."

Lena gave him a look. "And behind that crack is a tunnel."

Jarek sighed. "Of course it is."

Lena moved forward, slipping into the narrow passage. Jarek hesitated, then followed. The space was tight, barely wide enough for them to squeeze through.

After a few minutes, the tunnel opened into a cavern.

Jarek took a deep breath. The air was cool and damp, the stone walls slick with moisture. Faintly glowing mushrooms dotted the edges, casting a soft blue light.

"Spooky," Jarek muttered.

Lena motioned for silence. She pointed ahead.

Jarek followed her gaze—and his breath caught.

A few feet away, hidden among the rocks, was a metal door.

An old, rusted sigil was carved into it—a symbol of a dagger piercing an eye.

Jarek swallowed. "I'm guessing that's their logo?"

Lena nodded. "Shadow Covenant."

Jarek took a step back. "So, uh… we just knock?"

Lena smirked. "Something like that."

Before Jarek could object, she drew her sword and kicked the door open.

A dozen hooded figures turned toward them.

Jarek sighed. "Oh, we're gonna die."