With each step away from the massacre, the ecstasy of her weakness faded into ash. Lioren’s shoulders sagged. No exhaustion, but her stomach flipped as memories replayed—the wet gasp of a dying breath, the whisper of velvet praise curling in her ear. Lioren rolled her shoulders as if to be rid of an annoying parrot.

  She saw Kale, Tomas and Mira long before they saw her. Anxiously, they watched the hill she stood on, sharp words being exchanged and floating on the wind. For a heartbeat, Lioren almost decided to find a different way back. The thought of Tomas’ concern and lopsided grin brought the nausea to her throat and she had to swallow back the bile. But alas, that would only make them worry more and lead to them investigating. A twisted grin almost crept to her lips at the thought of them seeing her work—her masterpiece. But the nausea surged, and she swallowed it back.

  No!

  Lioren’s shoulders tensed as if she was physically repelling the thought. It bore down on her like a beast salivating for a piece of meat.

  I am not a killer… anymore.

  The realization forced her on her knees. She was, though. Every twist her body performed was only to find the most optimal angle to ensure her targets did not get back up. Not to evade. Not to end it another way. Just kill. And she couldn’t stop it. Couldn’t stop her hand from launching the dagger that stole that young boy’s life.

  Lioren’s teeth clenched so hard, she thought they would crack.

  He was barely sixteen by the look of him. Roped into promises of gold, protection and belonging.

  Damn the locusts.

  Damn her.

  Damn him.

  “I’m going to go look for her!” Tomas’ yell startled her from her thoughts and she looked up to see him start hobbling her way down his hill. He was limping? A drop of moisture fell from her cheek as she stood up and wiped away the unwanted emotion.

  “I’m here.” Her voice cracked and three pairs of eyes locked on to her.

  “Lio!” Tomas hobbled over to her with Mira quickly passing him.

  “Thank the gods.”

  “What happened? Are you ok?”

  “Your ear is bleeding!”

  Lioren raised her hands as they approached, eyes pleading for them not to crowd as she issued reassurances that she was ok. Tomas swept her into a hug, but his bad leg buckled mid-step. They stumbled. Lioren caught them both, his arms tightening instinctively around her waist. His hand brushed her cheek in a familiar but now distant motion. He smiled up at her from the grass, like she’d just come back from the dead.

  If only he knew she hadn’t.

  “I’m fine guys. Really.” Her eyes scanned Tomas’ face and noticed bruising and swelling on his cheek. His lip split as he continued to smile at Lioren, eyes glinting with relief. Lioren glanced at each friend in turn, eyes widening as all three bore some evidence of a fight. Mira had swollen cheeks, Kale’s armor was scuffed with dirt, his hammer stained with red.

  “What happened to you three?”

  Mira was the first to recount the event. They were moving into position when Tomas tripped in an animal hole. He had twisted his ankle and as Mira was tending to it, they were ambushed by two of the bandits. Tomas stupidly tried to fight after Mira was taken at knife point but with his injured ankle, it wasn’t much of an effort. While they were being interrogated, Kale arrived with enough surprise they were able to fend off and subdue the bandits. Permanently.

  Tomas let Lioren go as he sat up, but his eyes watched her

  “What about you?” Mira leaned towards Lioren, her eyes searching for anything out of place.

  “Kale said he left you with five.” She breathed out the last word, eyes wide in wonder and curiosity. Lioren looked away, shame casting a dark shadow on her face. Her jaw ticked and her eyes closed.

  “I… took care of them.”

  “Meaning…?” Kale asked, his voice clipped. Eyes hard as if he didn’t forgive her for sending him away. Lioren looked up, meeting his gaze with a nervous swallow.

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  “They won’t be following us anymore.”

  “So, you killed them? All five of them?” Kale’s voice was sharp, emotion simmering behind every word.

  “I did what needed to be done.” Lioren breathed, her voice splintering. “To protect the caravan and…” Her voice died, tears brimming in her eyes. “To protect you.”

  Kale opened his mouth to reply but Lioren cut him off.

  “Please don’t.” His mouth closed slowly as he crossed his arms and shuffled his feet in the dirt.

  “Kale…” Tomas' voice was a warning.

  “Was just gonna say…” he glanced at Mira, at her bruised cheek, “that was the right call. Who knows what would have happened if I stayed with you.”

  Lioren moved one leg under her as she watched Kale. It didn’t feel like the right call. Her hands were pristine but still felt covered in blood. She murmured a thanks as she stood up, offering a hand to Tomas. He took it and stood up, keeping his weight off the twisted joint.

  “Let me see your ear.” Mira stepped forward. Lioren flinched back.

  “No, that’s ok.” Lioren fidgeted with her ear. She scraped at the dried blood. “It’s not mine,” she lied, smiling like it didn’t taste like salt in her mouth.

  “Oh…” Her brow furrowed and she adjusted the hem of her leathers. “Ok, then let’s get back to camp. I’m starting to freeze.” She gave an unnecessary shiver and turned to head back to the glowing embers of campfires.

  Tomas turned as well and Lioren grabbed his arm to drape it over her shoulders.

  “Lean on me for a change?” She asked him with a distant smile. Tomas returned it and settled his weight against her, testing his foot.

  “Damn, I still have to walk? I was hoping Kale would carry me.” He shot a glance at Kale who rolled his eyes and followed Mira. She snorted despite herself. It sounded hollow. Tomas didn’t seem to notice—or maybe he did and didn’t say anything. He continued to make comments and jokes, trying to get her to laugh. She did, but only to hide the fact she felt numb.

  -------------------------------------------------------

  The fires were low, casting long shadows and sleepy embers. No one should have been awake—yet heads were lifting as the sound of sloshing feet stirred the night. Roan jolted first, Jessabelle's head rising from his shoulder as he blinked himself alert.

  “You’re back.” He called softly and stood up, careful not to raise his voice too loud.

  Lioren didn’t say anything as she aided Tomas to where they were planning to sleep for the night. Mira followed to check Tomas over one last time before she would turn in. Lioren stood up after lowering Tomas to the ground, her gaze going distant. Bits of Kale’s report circled her head like gnats.

  Killed… seven… no survivors…

  “I think I am going to sleep by myself tonight.” She said, almost like a verbal acknowledgment and dropped to one knee to gather her things.

  “Huh?” Tomas’ smile faded as he watched her pack with growing concern. Mira had stopped her wrapping of Tomas’ ankle, her face bewildered. “Why? What’s wrong?” He scrambled to grab her hands and hold her there with him.

  Lioren stilled, her head down and voice low. “I just want to be alone tonight.” Tomas grabbed her wrist as she moved to stand. Her eyes flashed to his hand and then into his agonized eyes.

  “Please Lio, talk to me. What’s wrong?”

  What’s wrong? I just slaughtered five people and smiled about it afterward.

  I just need to be alone tonight,” she said, sharper now. She wasn’t sure if it was for their sake or hers. Her hands twitched—she didn’t want to find out. She tried to pull away but Tomas held firm, his face cracking. Lioren could see the strain of her absence from earlier. Had he thought Kale abandoned her to die again? She dismissed the thought. She wasn’t in the mindset to worry about Tomas.

  He held her wrist like it was the last thread keeping her tethered. “Please, Lio… don’t shut me out. Not again.”

  “I am not shutting you out.” Her voice plummeted several degrees. “I just want one fucking night to myself!” Lioren ripped her arm free and stood up. As she turned, Jessabelle stood behind her, eyes wide and mouth parted like she wanted to say something.

  “Lioren, please, what happened?” She reached out to take Lioren’s arm, but Lioren was through being touched and grabbed. Her hand clamped around Jessabelle’s arm, firm but not painful.

  “Back. Off.” Lioren shoved her back, hard but not enough to knock her down. But she did stumble, and Roan saw it.

  “Hey!” He called, the courtesy of being quiet was abandoned. He stormed over to Lioren to move between her and Jessabelle. Kale followed closely behind, his face hard as he sensed the confrontation boiling.

  “Don’t you dare touch her like that.” Roan got close. Too close. Lioren’s body coiled, then snapped.

  “Roan it's fine--” Jessabelle was cut off as Lioren’s arm shot forward in a blur. The kind of jab that was designed to crush a person’s windpipe if Lioren hadn’t angled it down at the last second. Her fist connected with Roan’s chest, shoving him back several feet. Jessabelle let out a startled scream as she tried to catch Roan.

  He stumbled back with a grunt, one hand rising to his chest as if expecting to find something broken. He didn’t speak—just stared at her like he was seeing something monstrous.

  Mira let out a gasp and covered her mouth. Tomas tried to scramble to his feet, readying himself to do damage control. Kale moved in between Roan and Lioren, arms splayed out.

  A wild gleam danced in Lioren’s eyes. Eyes that for a moment, looked like a strangers.

  Everyone froze.

  Roan stood stunned, like he didn’t realize what hit him. Mira took slow steps away from Lioren, but Tomas took slow steps toward her.

  “Enough.” Kale’s voice froze Tomas where he stood. It wasn’t a loud order but it carried the weight of a hammer. “It’s been a long night, let’s just get some sleep.”

  Lioren’s eyes glinted in the firelight, her breaths shuddering through her body.

  Jessabelle opened her mouth, but closed it and pulled Roan away with her. Roan shot a dangerous glare at Lioren before he followed.

  Tomas looked like he wanted to argue but Kale shut him down.

  “She’s allowed to be alone,” Kale said, calm but cold. “She’s not a child.” Tomas’ shoulders dropped, his resolve shattered.

  Lioren’s breathing slowed, her chest still trembling with the tension. She didn’t thank Kale. She couldn’t. She nodded to him. Once. Then turned her back on all of them.

  This time, when she walked away, no one followed her.