Страница 55 из 163
I shake my head. “Doubtful. That was a test. He was seeing how I handled defending a Carrenwell against one of our people. If he wanted to hurt her, he could have waited for her to be alone and he would have sent someone more competent with stronger magic. They don’t know what Harlow can do, though he definitely wasn’t expecting her to be able to fight.”
“So he wants you to look bad,” Bryce said.
I glare at Stefan as he holds up a flask in a mock toast. He has been a thorn in my side since we both survived our guard test in the same culling season. His family is beloved in Mountain Haven, and they have been gaining influence since the attack ten years ago. Fortunately, our rebuilding efforts haven’t gone u
Stefan knows he can’t outright challenge me, but it’s smart of him to chip away at my reputation for loyalty at a time when it will already be most in question for our people.
Only me, my parents, and my two best friends know the truth of this marriage arrangement. In order to keep it a secret, we had to keep it from everyone, and we knew there would be anger and frustration from our people. But these few weeks of deceit will provide them with a lifetime of safety. Easier to beg forgiveness once we’ve brought the Carrenwell family down.
Then, the Laurences will be well and truly dealt with.
Eyeing the rest of the group, I estimate only about twenty hunters heading out tonight. More prey than predators, which means some might go more than one round, or there might be some disappointed prey.
Bryce punches my arm. “Be careful out there. He looks like he’s going to be a problem.”
“One problem at a time. I need this hunt so I can think straight.”
Bryce grins and rolls his shoulder out. “Happy hunting.”
Across the boisterous crowd, a huntsman lifts the bell and rings it.
The hunt is on.