Chapter 23: The Hunter and the Hunted

The town of Braden faded behind them as they rode hard through the open fields. The sky had darkened, the last remnants of daylight casting long shadows over the land. Evelyne gripped the reins tightly, glancing back only once.

The hooded figure had not followed—at least, not openly. But Phileo had seen enough to know they weren't safe.

"We should've taken the main road," Alsiel grumbled. "It would've been faster."

"And easier to track," Phileo countered.

Alsiel huffed. "Do you always expect someone to be chasing you?"

Phileo didn't answer.

Evelyne glanced between them. The weight of the Black Veil's hunt still lingered over their journey, but this felt… different.

"Do you think it was them?" she asked. "The Black Veil?"

Phileo's grip on the reins tightened. "No."

That only unsettled her more.

The wind rustled through the tall grass, and for a while, the only sound was the steady rhythm of hooves against the earth.

Then, Alsiel spoke again. "There's something up ahead."

Phileo slowed his horse, eyes narrowing at the dirt path before them. It was subtle, but the ground had been disturbed. Tracks, deep and uneven, suggested movement—horses, many of them.

Recently.

"They knew we'd come this way," Phileo muttered.

Alsiel sighed. "Fantastic."

Evelyne's stomach twisted. "What do we do?"

Phileo exhaled sharply. "We keep moving. Carefully."

The road ahead felt heavier now, charged with unseen danger. Evelyne's fingers twitched near the small dagger she carried.

They weren't alone out here.

And whoever was watching them wasn't planning to stay in the shadows for long.