[WARNING! Unedited! Don't buy!]
"Captain," Tess's voice called from the other side of the door. "We need to talk."
Lucian rose, his mask sliding back into place. Selis leaned back with a sigh, muttering, "Of course she picks now."
He opened the door. Tess stood rigid in the hallway, her eyes sharp.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Outside," she said.
Lucian stepped out, closing the door behind him.
Selis listened to their muffled voices through the wood. Tess's tone was clipped, urgent, but the words were indistinct. Lucian's responses were shorter still.
After a minute, the footsteps receded. Silence returned.
Selis flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Jealous and scheming. Oh, this is going to be fun."
At dawn, the hunters gathered outside the inn, weary but ready. Horses stamped their hooves, breath steaming in the chill air.
Lucian mounted first, his expression unreadable. Tess was already waiting at his side, stiff and composed.