My muscles tensed, ready to spring into action if they decided to head in my direction.

But instead, their footsteps veered off, moving further down the main road.

I exhaled slowly as relief washed over me. For now, I was safe.

I stayed hidden behind the cart and listened intently until the sound of their voices faded into the distance.

The tension in my body slowly began to unwind, though I remained cautious, aware they could double back at any moment.

The air around me felt cooler. The distant chatter of townsfolk was a comforting reminder that I wasn't alone.

Easing out from behind the cart, I kept close to the shadows with my eyes scanning the street for any signs of movement.

They had moved on, but the memory of their voices still lingered—sharp and grating in my mind.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just narrowly avoided a confrontation that I wasn't ready for.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I began to retrace my steps back toward the inn with my senses on high alert.

Every noise and flicker of movement in the periphery of my vision made my pulse quicken.

I knew I had to stay sharp, not just for now, but for the days to come.

The information I had gathered from Marla was valuable, but it wasn't enough. I needed more—more knowledge, more power—before I could face them.

The thought of what they had done and what they were capable of weighed heavily on me as I walked.

The old Ethan's life had ended because of them, and while I was different, I still carried the burden of his unfinished business.

Nearing the inn, the tension in my chest eased slightly.

For now, I was safe, but the encounter had served as a harsh reminder of the dangers lurking in Hallowford.

I couldn't afford to be careless.

The familiar sight of the inn came into view as the warm glow of its windows stood in stark contrast to the cold, dim streets.

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I quickened my pace, eager to put the morning's tension behind me.

As I approached the door, the comforting sounds of laughter and clinking glasses reached my ears, grounding me in the present.

I simply had to exit the alley and come face to face with the inn.

Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the side, blocking my path.

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the man standing before me—the same one who had come to the inn looking for me earlier.

A dark, weather-beaten cloak clung to his broad shoulders, and the faint gleam of a scar on his jawline added to his menacing presence.

His presence was unmistakable—tall, imposing, and radiating the kind of calm danger that set my nerves on edge.

Those cold, gray eyes, sharp as steel, seemed to bore into me, as if calculating my every move.

My hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of my blade, ready for whatever came next.

He smirked, his cold eyes scanning me. “So, we meet again,” he said, his voice smooth and unhurried. “Though I doubt you remember my name, given how quickly you slipped away last time.”

My mind raced to piece together the memories of that tense encounter at the inn. He had been searching for me, and I had barely managed to stay out of his sight.

“I’m Kieran,” he continued, taking a slow step forward. “And you should know, Gregor isn’t here to save you this time.”

The name struck a chord, and I couldn’t help but stiffen.

So this was Kieran, the man who had come so close to finding me before. Now, he had me cornered, and there was no easy escape.

I kept my expression neutral, even as my grip on the blade tightened. “What do you want?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Kieran’s smirk widened, his tone shifting to something more mocking. “What do I want? That’s simple—I want answers. You’ve been poking around where you shouldn’t, and it’s time you learned the consequences.”

He took another step closer, and the air between us thickened with tension.

I knew I was in a precarious situation, but I couldn’t let him see any fear. “And if I don’t feel like talking?” I replied, my voice hardening.

“Then I suppose I’ll just have to make you,” Kieran said, his hand drifting toward the hilt of his weapon.

In that moment, I realized there would be no avoiding this confrontation. The alley fell silent; the only sound was the faint rustling of wind through the narrow passage.

Kieran’s hand rested casually on the hilt of his blade with his eyes never leaving mine. The silence between us stretched on.

I could feel the weight of his gaze, like a predator sizing up its prey.

He was in control, and he knew it.

I couldn’t afford to let him dictate the pace of this encounter. My mind raced, searching for an opening, a way to turn the situation to my advantage.

But Kieran seemed to sense my thoughts as his smirk widened and he took another deliberate step forward, cutting off any escape route.

“You know,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking, “I’ve been watching you. Lorian has too. You’ve been causing quite a stir since you arrived in Hallowford. That little stunt at the cavern? Impressive, but it only made us more interested in you.”

The mention of Lorian sent a chill down my spine. So, this wasn’t just a random encounter—this was something much more dangerous. I forced myself to keep my expression neutral, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear.

“And now?” I asked, keeping my voice steady. “What’s your plan? Drag me back to Lorian?”