The coyote's body split as steel carved through its hide, blood splashing onto the frozen ground. Carmine staggered back, her breath short, her vision blurred. Through the haze she saw the figure — blonde hair catching the dawn, silver plating glinting across her back.
"June…" Carmine whispered, before collapsing into the dirt.
Strong arms lifted her. June carried her with ease, her stride steady, her presence unwavering. The world blurred until Carmine opened her eyes again beneath a wooden ceiling. A soft wind rustled through the cracks, brushing against her ears. June sat beside her, calm, watchful.
"Oh, you're awake," June said lightly. "You should rest. Strains and straps will fall off if you push too hard."
Carmine forced herself upright, her body aching. "What are you doing here?" she asked, suspicion lacing her tone.
June smiled, half‑teasing. "Well, I sure hope there's a thank you in there, uh… so?"
Carmine sighed, her eyes narrowing.
"I was passing by," June continued, "and saw you. Thought it might be interesting. Then I looked ahead — a frail man, barely able to wield a sword, shoved you off the cliff. And there you were."
Carmine's hand shot up, stopping her mid‑sentence. "Did you see the man after? Do you know where he went… with the others?"
June nodded slowly. "Yeah. They went backwards. Left the scene."
Carmine's chest tightened. She understood now. Isabelle's plan.
Her mind replayed the betrayal: Demure had called her to the cliff, told her to look down. When she did, he pushed. But Carmine was trained — a spy, agile, relentless. She caught hold of Demure, dragged herself back up, cornered him. Then Lars came from behind, kicking her legs, sending her tumbling.
Cowards.
Her fists clenched as she thought of Elaine. The stables. The blows to her head. Was she alive? Were they safe?
The questions gnawed at her, heavier than the wounds.
Carmine turned to June, her voice low, trembling with fury. "Elaine… what happened to her?"
The silence stretched. The wind rattled the shutters.
Carmine's heart sank.
TO BE CONTINUED…
NEXT CHAPTER ON 6th MARCH 2026