The morning sun was at its peak. The carriage shook as they passed through the stony path leading to the market.
Adina dragged her gloves up, eyes outside the window. They sped past the houses, past the people. She could feel Catherine's eyes on her and she looked up at the other.
"Sothing on my face?" she asked.
Catherine didn't bother to hide her smile. "Nothing. Just thinking about how perfect today will be," she said.
Adina nodded, "Of course," she replied.
"You good in there?" ca Mason's voice through the mind link. He was riding a horse behind them.
"Yes, I am. Just a little uncomfortable with Catherine's smile. I know she has sothing up her sleeves."
"Worry not, oh ye Queen of the obsidian kingdom. I'm here to protect you. And if she tries anything, I'm slitting her throat."
Adina smiled, Catherine's eyes narrowed. "What's making you smile?" she asked.
Adina looked her right in the eye. "If you try anything today, your head is going to be off that body of yours," she replied with a smile.
Catherine's smile waned off, replaced by a frown. "Ah, of course," she replied dryly.
The two of them looked away, one out of anger and bitterness, one smugly.
They finally arrived at the market.
And true to her words, there was a festival. Adina stood right at the entrance with the lots of them. Catherine to her right, Mason to her left.
Catherine's smile widened. "Well, let's go," she said.
Mason glanced at Adina. "You ready?"
She nodded, stepping into the rowdy market. The first thing Adina noticed was the crowd. The place was filled with people trooping in and out, buying and selling. It was a never-ending circle.
"Stay close to !" Mason yelled through the noise.
Adina nodded, watching as Catherine stopped by a few stalls, picking out so dresses and necklaces, trying them on her neck or her maids.
"Co buy from my stall. It's seventy percent off," one vendor yelled.
"No! Buy from mine. It's eighty percent off!" another yelled.
"Co," Mason held her hand. "Let's get you so cool drink for this sun," he said, leading them to a stall where they only sold iced drinks.
As they maneuvered through the crowd, soone bumped into Mason—hard, making the gamma nearly stumble, losing control of his hold on Adina. His other hand imdiately went for the knife on his other hip.
His eyes flashed red. "Hey! Watch it," he snarled.
The man raised both hands, stumbling back with a nervous laugh. "Sorry! So sorry, sir. Didn't see you there."
"Fucking dimwit," Mason muttered under his breath.
Adina turned around, trying to find Catherine through the crowd, only to find her standing still, her maids behind her, gaze elsewhere, not even looking in their direction.
Mason turned back to Adina only to freeze. She was gone.
"Adina?" his voice was sharp and loud now. He spun in place, scanning the crowd. "Adina!"
Adina had been standing next to Mason for a bit when the man had stumbled. Fell? She lost grip of him for a mont. And when she turned around, she froze, eyes widening at what she was seeing.
Standing so few feet away was the girl. The ntally ill girl from Redmoon.
How? How was it possible?
Adina shook her head, blinking rapidly. The girl was still there, standing and staring at her with a smile on her face.
Then, she turned and began to walk.
Adina didn't think twice. She bolted right out there, running after the girl. "Hey! Sweetie! What are you doing here?" she yelled.
The girl just kept moving faster and faster. And Adina? She ran even faster, screaming and calling for the girl.
It didn't make sense. Why would the girl be here? In Crystal moon of all places? Why?
"Hey!" she scread, quickly getting away from the crowd, and slowly entering the quieter part.
The noise faded behind her the further she ran. The music dulled. The scent of grilled at and sweet pastries evaporated. All she could hear now was her own breath and the light patter of the girl's bare feet as she turned into a narrow alleyway.
"Wait—stop! Please!" Adina called, slowing down as she neared the alley. She paused to catch her breath, looking up only to see that the girl was no longer there. Her brows furrowed, she looked around but the girl had vanished.
Her heart beat thudded hard in her chest. Catherine!
Was the girl even real? How had she allowed herself to be deceived this way?
She turned around, alard. The market, the people. She was far, far away from them. Oh, gods. Oh gods. She turned, ready to bolt only to halt in her steps, her body freezing as she saw five n step out of the shadow, all of them covering their faces, with just their eyes open.
Panic settled in her and she turned to run so more only to halt in her steps. Another set of five n walking towards her. She turned to her sides and it was the sa. She was surrounded from every part.
"Thorne!" she scread in her mind but sohow she was t with a block. How? Her bond with Thorne was much stronger after the soul bind. No matter where she was, she could talk to him. No matter the distance but now?
"Mason!" she yelled through the bond but still nothing.
The leader stepped forward, removing the cover on his face. He began to laugh and soon the rest of them started to laugh.
"Mind links not working, right?" the man said, voice gruff and hoarse.
"It can't. Used the sa energy in bringing that little freak running through these paths." He grinned, hand shot up to the sky, his fingers turned into claws, ones that Adina had never seen before. She gasped, stumbling back. Right in the middle of his palms, sothing glowed like fire. Red and sparking in the sun.
He grinned, shoving his hand down. "Never seen ones like it, right?"
"Cassandra sent you here? Is that it? What did she promise you? Money? Tell and I'll double it."
The man's parted at her then burst out laughing. "Hell, if I knew you were a sweet talker. I'll have done business with you earlier but it's no use. Not anymore. I made a deal and I intend to keep my deal. Besides," he grinned sinisterly.
"Heard you're the king's bitch. Wouldn't want anything else."
Adina grinned. "I'm the king's mate. You do realize the mistake you're making, right? The king. He wouldn't let you live. He'd kill you. Ruin your sorry existence." She spat out.
The man shrugged. "Hmm, what can I say? I'll take my chances." He turned to his n.
"Get the bitch."
Adina imdiately got into position like Thorne had taught her, pulling out the dagger she'd kept hidden in her dress, her eyes red, face hardened like a rock. She wasn't going to leave here without putting up one hell of a fight.
The man grinned. "Oh, a fighter."
Adina smirked, "Co on, You're dead at."
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