Chapter 4

They stretch across his back and chest, some faded and old, others a fresh and angry red. My breath catches in shock. He seems to notice my reaction, and his expression shifts. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles.

“Dylan—” I try to say, but he cuts me off. “Don’t ask.”

“But—”

“Don’t. Ask,” he says through gritted teeth. I swallow hard, an unusual lump forming in my throat. He pauses, watching me for a moment, before wading into the water. His pants get drenched almost instantly, but he doesn’t stop until the cool water reaches his stomach. He ducks down, disappearing into the water.

When he resurfaces again, he shakes out his hair. It scatters water droplets everywhere. Dylan lets out a relieved breath. For the first time, he doesn’t look alert. Or tense. I watch him for a moment longer, before my eyes drift back to the scars. “Do they hurt?”

His expression hardens. “I told you not to ask about them.”

Right. I pull my knees close to my chest. “Okay.”

His eyes widen slightly, like he was expecting me to argue further. He steps out of the water, and I realize his movements look visibly more relaxed as he throws on the shirt. He lies down a few meters away from me.

“I don’t mean to pry…” I start. “But…”

He glances over at me. “What?”

“You’re confusing,” I admit. That earns him a light chuckle. “How so?”

“Well, you kidnapped me, threatened my entire patrol twice, and you’re an assassin,” I say, staring down at the rippling water. “But you also spared me, helped injured animals, and brought me here.” He cocks his head at me, not saying a word. “I just don’t understand you,” I whisper. He looks back up at the sky. “You don’t have to.”

“That’s not an answer,” I murmur, flopping down on the soil. “Why did you bring me here?”

His jaw tightens just slightly. “Maybe I was tired of being alone.” I stare at him. And for once, I don’t know what to say. The wind blows softly, sending ripples across the lake. The sound of the gentle waves lapping at the edge fills the silence. I gaze up at the sky. The clouds drift slowly overhead, and for a moment it doesn’t feel like anything is wrong.

“Do you come here all the time?” I exhale quietly. He flicks his eyes to me. “It’s peaceful,” he whispers. Dylan closes his eyes, his hands resting gently on his stomach. I study him, watching the steady rise of his chest. He looks so different like this. No dagger, no mocking smile, no cold expression.

“I used to think people meant protection,” he breathes. I tilt my head. “They are supposed to,” I murmur curiously.

“Not for me,” he says, laughing quietly. I stare. I don’t know what happened to him. But suddenly, I have a strong urge to find out.

“Dylan—”

A rustling noise reaches my ears. Someone’s coming. Dylan’s eyes snap open, and he jumps up, the relaxed expression wiped off his face in an instant. “Raven,” he hisses. It is the first time he used my name. “Get up.”

“What?” I scramble to my feet. His eyes look wild as he scans the woods. “Go. Run.”

“What—why?” I gasp as he pushes me in the opposite direction. “Run,” he snaps. “Go home. Now.” His voice sounds so urgent. I back away. Taking one more look at him, I whip my head around and sprint, my breath uneven as I trample over twigs and leaves. I realize I’ve been so invested in the lake that I haven’t thought about the pendant once. But now isn’t the time. I carefully retrace his footsteps in the mud. But what could have Dylan acting up like that? A strange feeling settles in my stomach. I want answers. I skid to a stop, casting dirt up into the air. I should keep running. Back to the Eclipse camp. Instead, I pivot on my heels, curiosity driving me back. I creep quietly towards the lake, making sure to avoid every twig this time. Once I reach the shrubbery, I duck behind it. I peer through the gaps.

Dylan’s still standing there. His posture looks stiff, his face tense. A figure steps out of the woods beyond. A woman. Thorn. “Dylan,” she murmurs, approaching him. Dylan takes a few steps back, swallowing. She circles him slowly, studying his expression. “You have been awfully hard to find, darling,” she continues sweetly. Dylan’s eyes flick to the ground before they rest back on her. “I apologize, ma’am.” His throat bobs. I’ve never heard him so quiet. She tilts her head slightly, staring at him. “For what?”

“I should’ve told you where I was going,” he admits.

“Yes,” Thorn whispers. “You should’ve.”

Dylan lowers his gaze. His hands are shaking badly. I stare with my eyes widened. This can’t be the same person.

Thorn reaches towards him. Dylan flinches, raising an arm to block her. She grabs his chin, forcing him to look her in the eyes. “Look at me,” she snaps.

“Y-yes, ma’am,” he stammers, swallowing hard. His breathing becomes shallow. She studies him for a moment, pausing. Her eyes flick sharply back to his. “Do you remember what happened last time you disobeyed me?”

Dylan’s eyes flicker for just a moment. Fear. “Yes, Thorn,” he breathes. My eyes unconsciously drift towards his chest, remembering the multiple scars he carries. My breath catches. No. Thorn didn’t. She couldn’t have.

“Good.” Thorn releases him. Dylan immediately staggers back. Thorn’s sharp gaze is fixed on him. “I gave you an order.”

Dylan freezes as she continues.

“About the Eclipse girl,” she hisses smoothly. My heart seems to stop. Me?

“I—”

“You what?” she growls, standing completely still. Dylan looks down, dipping his head. “I let her go,” he admits. I go rigid. The rope. The chair. The weapons. Thorn ordered him to kill me. “You spared her,” she says.

Dylan’s breath quickens. “I thought—”

“I don’t care what you thought,” Thorn snarls. Dylan falls silent. She approaches him slowly. Dylan instinctively retreats, his back nearly slamming against the trunk of a tree. “I gave you one simple task,” she continues, dangerously quiet. “But you failed.”

Dylan squeezes his eyes shut for a brief moment. “I’m sorry,” he exhales hoarsely, his voice barely above a whisper. My chest tightens. I’ve never heard him sound like this. Thorn raises her hand, reaching for his shoulder. Dylan recoils fast, flinching. Her hand stops. A cruel smile spreads across her face. “Still afraid?”

Dylan doesn’t answer, pressing his back against the tree.

“Good.”

Thorn turns around, heading in the other direction. “Don’t disappoint me again.”

Dylan doesn’t move until the sound of her footsteps fades into the whistling breeze. Then, his shoulders sag. Dylan presses a hand to the rough bark, breathing heavily. He runs a hand through his hair. And collapses to his knees.

I freeze. I don’t know what to do. My heart hammers hard against my ribs. I shouldn’t have listened in. I shouldn’t even be here. I stumble back. My eyes widen with terror. I trip over a root, and my hand reaches for a nearby tree to steady myself. Looking back at the lake, I see Dylan. He’s still on his knees, his head bowed. Something twists painfully in my chest. I don’t want to see any more. I slam my eyes shut, looking forward and carefully trace the path Dylan showed me. All the way back home.

The moment I push back the ferns, Saber approaches me. His expression shifts as he looks at me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I murmur, my eyebrows furrowing.

“You look troubled,” Saber states. I let out a deep breath. “I’m just tired.”

He pauses for a moment longer, before dipping his head. “Alright. Call me if you need anything?”

I nod, and am about to leave when Axel walks up to me. Saber gives me a look, and turns away.

“Where were you?” Axel questions, his eyes hard. “We needed some extra help around the camp.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmur respectfully. “I was on a walk.”

His gaze narrows. “Did you find anything useful?”

“About the pendant?” I ask, shuffling my feet. I feel sick in my stomach. I haven’t been able to think about it at all.

“No,” I say. He stares at me, unconvinced. Finally, he sighs. “Alright. Tell me if you do.” I dip my head. “Yes, Axel.”

He walks away, leaving me standing on the edge of the clearing. My hands are trembling slightly. I clench them into fists. Y-yes ma’am. Dylan’s voice echoes in my thoughts. I swallow, trying to push it to the back of my mind. I don’t know why it bothers me so much. He kidnapped me. He’s an enemy. I should hate him. So why don’t I? I glance towards the open forest. Somewhere out there, Dylan’s still alone. Or…I hope he is.

Realization hits me.

He got punished for letting me go.

Thorn wants to kill me.

I have to find out why.