Danger at the door step

The air around the small encampment was thick with tension. The trees surrounding the clearing were like towering sentinels, casting long shadows in the dim light of dusk. Jasmine sat near the fire, her eyes flickering over the flames but her mind racing through everything that had transpired. They had learned more than they bargained for, and now the weight of that knowledge pressed down on them all.

Lira's confession still echoed in Jasmine's mind. The shadow, the king's twisted creation, wasn't just a hunter—it was a force with unnatural abilities. Lira had been its target from the beginning, and now, by extension, so were Jasmine and Caden. The thought made Jasmine's stomach churn, but the more she dwelled on it, the clearer one truth became: they couldn't run forever. Sooner or later, they would have to face him.

"We should move by morning," Caden said, breaking the heavy silence. He had been pacing for the past half hour, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "If we stay here too long, he'll catch up. Lira said he can sense us."

Jasmine nodded, though she didn't meet his eyes. The reality of what they were up against made every second feel precarious, as if danger was creeping closer with every breath they took.

Lira, sitting on the opposite side of the fire, looked tired—exhausted, even—but there was a grim determination in her eyes. She had carried the burden of her past for so long, hiding in the shadows, and now that she had revealed the truth, it seemed as if she was bracing herself for the consequences.

"Do you think we stand a chance?" Jasmine asked quietly, directing the question more to herself than anyone else.

Caden paused, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "I don't know. But we have to try. If we don't… it's over before it even begins."

Jasmine sighed, knowing he was right. Yet despite her exhaustion, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. She glanced at Lira, wondering if they could trust her completely, or if there was more to her story that had yet to be revealed. Betrayal had already been woven into their journey, and the thought of another deception made Jasmine's skin crawl.

Suddenly, the crack of a branch snapped through the night, loud and unnerving. Jasmine's head shot up, her heart pounding in her chest. Caden was immediately on high alert, his hand reaching for the hilt of his sword. Lira stiffened, her eyes darting to the trees beyond the firelight.

They weren't alone.

Jasmine stood quickly, her pulse racing as she scanned the darkness around them. The sound had come from somewhere close, too close. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how long it had been since they'd checked their surroundings. She cursed under her breath for letting her guard down, even for a moment.

"Stay close to the fire," Caden ordered, his voice low but firm.

Lira stood slowly, her expression tight with fear. "Do you think it's him?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the flames.

Jasmine didn't want to say it, but the possibility was too real. The shadow could be watching them right now, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Every rustle of leaves, every whisper of wind made her skin prickle with dread.

Caden took a step toward the edge of the clearing, his sword drawn and ready. "Show yourself!" he called out into the night, his voice echoing through the trees. The silence that followed was deafening, and for a moment, Jasmine thought the forest might swallow them whole.

Then, out of the darkness, a figure emerged.

Jasmine's breath caught in her throat as she watched a man step into the light of the fire. He was tall, with dark, close-cropped hair and a scar running down the side of his face. His clothing was tattered, but the look in his eyes was sharp, calculating. He held no weapon, but the way he moved made it clear he was no stranger to violence.

Caden didn't lower his sword. "Who are you?"

The man raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his voice calm but edged with danger. "I'm not here to fight. Just to talk."

Jasmine's instincts screamed at her not to trust him, but there was something about the man's demeanor that gave her pause. He didn't seem like the shadow they'd been warned about, but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous.

Caden kept his blade up, his eyes never leaving the man's. "Talk fast. We don't have time for games."

The man smirked slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "You don't know who you're dealing with. The king has sent more than just his shadow after you. You're marked. There are bounty hunters, mercenaries—anyone who wants a piece of the reward he's offering. And trust me, it's enough to make even the most loyal rebel turn on you."

Jasmine's heart sank. Bounty hunters. Of course the king wouldn't rely on just one assassin, no matter how skilled. He wanted to make sure they didn't have a chance to escape. Their enemies were multiplying faster than they could prepare for.

"Why are you telling us this?" Jasmine asked, her voice hard. "What do you want?"

The man lowered his hands slowly, his gaze locking onto hers. "Because I know what it's like to be hunted. I was once in your position, running from the same forces that are after you now. I can help you… but only if you're willing to listen."

Caden frowned, his grip tightening on his sword. "And why should we believe you?"

The man shrugged, his expression unreadable. "You don't have to. But if you want to live through the next few days, you might want to start trusting someone other than yourselves."

Jasmine's mind raced, trying to weigh the risks. They couldn't afford to trust anyone too easily, but at the same time, they were running out of options. They needed information, and if this man had survived the king's forces, maybe he knew something they didn't.

"Who are you?" Jasmine asked again, her voice quieter this time.

The man hesitated for a moment, then finally answered. "My name's Torin. And if you want to survive what's coming, you're going to need more than just a plan. You're going to need allies."

Jasmine exchanged a glance with Caden, the unspoken question hanging between them. Could they trust him? Or was he just another threat, another danger lurking at their doorstep?

But as the night pressed in around them, the weight of the decision settled on Jasmine's shoulders. They were running out of time, and with every second, the shadow grew closer.