Ashes Of Betrayal

earth hung heavy in the air, and the only sounds besides our footsteps were the crunch of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. Evie remained o

he plan? Take the capital, slay Seraphine, redeem you

vie. "I'm not ready to s

up against the Ashfords and the Ardent family, y

n that," Evie sa

sed an eyebrow.

e that Rylan wasn't dry. To stand against Seraphine and Kael, she would need allies, resources, and a pla

she finally said. "But

d with a look of true curiosit

ril of dark energy wrapped around her fingers, beating with a radia

said, thoughtful

d, her voice low. "Each time I use 

ay a dangerous game." But if it gets us

e saw was determination and perhaps a little recklessness. "Why a

f my own to want to see Seraphine fall. And besi

hat could have been a smi

ng. "Because I'd hate to invest my tim

dipped down into an almost steep valley. Evie glimpsed a stationary flicker a dist

ting a hand on her arm.

Evie said again,

ital?" Rylan said, his tone light. "We're in desperate need of hors

narrowed. "W

. acquaintances," Rylan said, smiling w

ylan her senses screamed. As they walked closer to the campfire, she could see three forms seate

as they neared, standing up

if in a casual tone. "Thi

nt he recognized her. He reached for his sword and

e man replied, his voice ta

's also more valuable alive than dead. An

side her stirring, waiting to be released. But before it could get out of ha

Rylan's right. We're not bounty hunters. "And i

ough his look remained suspicious. "F

on the back. "Trus

re skeptical but agreed to help, especially once Rylan mentioned there could be rewards involved. Evie sat silent, her brain whirri

ldn't shake the feeling: Was her redemption of Judy be