Chapter 4: A Common Enemy

Kael should have killed him.

She knew that.

Yet here she was, leading the cockiest man she had ever met through the underground tunnels of Ravaryn, her fingers itching to strangle him every time he opened his mouth.

"I have to say," Riven mused, stepping over a loose stone with an easy grace, "for someone who tried to kill me less than an hour ago, you're awfully committed to keeping me alive now."

Kael didn't bother looking at him. "Don't flatter yourself. You're only alive because I need answers."

Riven pressed a hand to his chest, feigning hurt. "So it's not because you've already fallen for me?"

Kael stopped so fast that Riven nearly walked into her.

She turned, dagger flashing as she pressed it against his ribs.

"One more word," she said quietly, voice like steel, "and I will make you fall-straight into the nearest pit."

Riven's grin didn't falter, but his dark eyes flickered with something deeper.

Amusement, yes, but also interest.

She felt his breath brush against her cheek as he leaned in slightly. "You know," he murmured, "I'm starting to think you enjoy threatening me."

Kael exhaled through her nose and forced herself to step back before she actually stabbed him.

"Move," she ordered, already walking again.

Riven followed, still smirking.

Jorrik, who had been trailing behind them, finally let out a groan. "This is painful to watch."

Kael ignored him.

Her mind was already racing, sorting through everything she had seen in the past few hours.

This man-Riven, if that was even his real name-was too skilled, too confident, and too damn calm for someone who was supposed to be a mere thief. And that smirk of his? That was the smirk of someone who had been raised with power.

She hated people like that.

Because they were the same kind of people who had destroyed her family.

Kael shoved that thought down and focused on the path ahead.

The tunnels were tight, the walls damp with moisture. The deeper they went, the quieter Ravaryn became, the drunken shouting of the upper market fading into a suffocating silence.

She knew these tunnels well. She had lived in them as a child, scrounging for food, learning which paths led to safety and which led to death. Bast had taught her how to navigate them, how to use them as a weapon.

And now, she was leading an enemy through them.

Maybe she was making a mistake.

But if she didn't get answers, the warlords would.

And she had no doubt that they wouldn't be as patient as she was.

Riven's Perspective

Riven should have been worried.

Most people in his position would be.

He had been caught, interrogated, and was now being dragged to an unknown location by a woman who very clearly wanted to kill him.

And yet...

He wasn't worried.

He was intrigued.

Kael Veyne was unlike anyone he had ever met.

She was sharp, relentless, and completely unmoved by his usual charm. In the palace, people either feared him or admired him.

They laughed at his jokes, melted under his smirk.

Kael?

She just looked like she wanted to set him on fire.

It was refreshing.

"You're quiet," Jorrik muttered beside him.

Riven arched an eyebrow. "Do you want me to start flirting with her again?"

Jorrik gave him a pointed look. "I want you to stop making things worse."

Riven grinned. "No promises."

They walked for another few minutes before Kael finally stopped in front of a rusted iron door. She knocked once, short and firm.

A slot in the door slid open, revealing a single, sharp eye.

"Code," the voice behind the door demanded.

Kael didn't hesitate. "Ashfall."

The door creaked open.

Riven exchanged a glance with Jorrik before following Kael inside.

The Underground Safehouse

The room was small but well-armed.

Weapons lined the walls, maps were scattered across wooden tables, and torches flickered in the corners. A few men and women lingered in the shadows, all watching with careful, assessing eyes.

At the center of the room stood Bast.

His one good eye flicked between Kael and Riven, lingering on the blood at Riven's lip before locking onto Kael.

"You brought him here," Bast said flatly.

Kael crossed her arms. "I need answers."

Bast exhaled through his nose before turning his attention to Riven. "And you?"

Riven tilted his head, smirk in place. "I was invited."

Bast did not look amused.

Kael gestured toward Riven. "He's not a thief. He fights like a soldier, dodges like an assassin, and speaks like a noble."

Riven chuckled. "Careful, sweetheart. You're making me sound impressive."

Kael ignored him.

Bast studied Riven for a long moment, then turned to Kael. "You think he's working for the warlords?"

Kael hesitated.

She had considered that. It would make sense. The warlords often recruited outsiders for their dirtiest jobs, using them as spies or weapons.

But something about Riven didn't fit.

She shook her head. "No. I don't think he works for them."

Bast's expression didn't change. "Then why is he here?"

Kael turned to Riven.

"That's what I'd like to know."

The entire room went silent as all eyes landed on him.

For the first time since this started, Riven's grin faded just slightly.

Because now, he knew one thing for certain.

If he didn't play this right, he wasn't making it out of this room alive.