In the line of fire

The tension hung thick in the air as the group moved through the dense forest, the dawn's first light barely filtering through the canopy. Jasmine could feel her heart pounding in her chest with each step, the weight of the decision to trust Torin still gnawing at her. The bounty hunter walked a few paces ahead, his movements quick and deliberate, as though he knew exactly where to go.

Caden was right beside her, his expression hard, eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. His hand never left the hilt of his sword, and Jasmine could tell he wasn't convinced about their new ally. Trust didn't come easily in this world, and they both knew they were walking a dangerous line by allowing Torin to lead them.

"Where exactly are you taking us?" Caden asked, his voice low but filled with suspicion.

Torin didn't stop, didn't even look back. "There's a hidden outpost not far from here. Safe for now. It'll give us time to regroup, plan our next move."

Jasmine exchanged a glance with Caden. It sounded too good to be true—an outpost hidden in the woods, safe from the king's forces. But they didn't have many options left. The shadow was out there, and according to Torin, more bounty hunters would be on their trail soon enough. They needed a place to rest, even if only for a few hours.

Lira trailed behind, quieter than usual, her face drawn with exhaustion. Jasmine couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. She had been through so much, lost so much, and now they were all caught in the same web of danger.

After what felt like hours, the trees began to thin, revealing a rocky outcropping ahead. Torin stopped abruptly, motioning for the group to do the same. He crouched low, scanning the area before turning to face them.

"It's just beyond that ridge," Torin said, pointing to the rocks. "But keep your heads down. There could be scouts patrolling nearby."

Jasmine's pulse quickened. Scouts. That meant they were closer to enemy territory than she had realized. She crouched low beside Caden, her muscles tense as they prepared to move. Her fingers brushed the hilt of her dagger, a familiar comfort in the face of uncertainty.

Torin led them up the ridge, staying low and quiet. The moment they crested the hill, Jasmine saw it—an old stone outpost, half-hidden by the surrounding trees. It looked abandoned, but there were signs of recent activity—footprints in the dirt, a makeshift barricade near the entrance. Someone had been here recently.

"We need to check the area," Caden whispered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the outpost. "Make sure it's safe."

Torin nodded, already moving toward the structure with careful, silent steps. Jasmine followed, keeping her senses sharp, her heart pounding in her ears. The closer they got, the more she felt the weight of impending danger. Something wasn't right.

As they reached the entrance, Torin pushed the door open cautiously, the creak of the wood sending a shiver down Jasmine's spine. The interior was dim, with only slivers of sunlight breaking through the cracks in the stone walls. It was eerily quiet, too quiet.

Jasmine stepped inside, her grip tightening on her dagger. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and as she scanned the room, her breath caught in her throat. There, in the corner, lay a body—motionless, blood pooling beneath it.

"It's a trap," Caden hissed, drawing his sword in an instant.

Before Jasmine could react, a sound echoed from outside—a rustling in the bushes, the unmistakable click of a crossbow being drawn.

"Get down!" Torin shouted.

Jasmine barely had time to dive for cover as a bolt whizzed past her, embedding itself in the stone wall behind her with a sharp thud. Her heart raced as she scrambled behind an overturned table, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

Caden was already in motion, his sword flashing as he deflected another bolt aimed at them. "We need to get out of here! Now!"

But as soon as the words left his mouth, more figures appeared at the entrance—armed men, their faces obscured by hoods. Bounty hunters. The ambush had begun.

Jasmine's mind raced as she tried to find a way out, her eyes darting between the attackers and the narrow exit. They were surrounded. Caden fought off two of the hunters with swift, precise strikes, but more were closing in, cutting off any escape.

"Jasmine!" Lira's voice rang out, and Jasmine turned to see her ducking behind a crate, her face pale with fear. Jasmine's heart clenched—Lira wasn't a fighter, and there was no way she could hold her own in this battle.

Without thinking, Jasmine darted toward her, sliding behind the crate just as another bolt flew overhead. "Stay close to me," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We'll find a way out."

Torin, meanwhile, had vanished into the fray, his movements swift and deadly. Jasmine caught glimpses of him disarming one hunter, then another, but even his skill wouldn't be enough to take on all of them. They were outnumbered.

A sharp pain shot through Jasmine's arm, and she gasped as she realized she'd been grazed by a bolt. Blood trickled down her sleeve, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to focus. She couldn't afford to be distracted—not now.

"Caden!" she called out, her voice rising over the sounds of battle. "We need to move!"

Caden nodded, his eyes locking with hers for a brief moment. "There's a side door—near the back. I'll cover you."

Jasmine didn't hesitate. She grabbed Lira's hand, pulling her to her feet. "Stay close. Don't let go."

Together, they sprinted toward the back of the outpost, dodging bolts and slashing through the few hunters who tried to block their path. Caden fought fiercely, his sword cutting through the attackers with a precision that sent them scattering.

But as they reached the side door, Jasmine's heart sank. It was barricaded from the outside. There was no way out.

"We're trapped," Lira whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Jasmine's mind raced, the walls closing in around her. They were caught in the line of fire, surrounded by enemies with no escape in sight.

And then, from the shadows, a familiar voice echoed through the chaos.

"Hold your ground."

Jasmine froze, her breath catching in her throat. The shadow had arrived.