A few hours had passed, and the watches rotated every hour. They had rested only briefly before returning to the road. The mood was different from the night before—Sakura felt it immediately.

  Jason walked ahead of her now.

  More distant.

  Yet at the same time, more protective—his gaze drifting back to her far more often than it had yesterday.

  Jason stopped abruptly in the middle of the road, eyes on his datapad.

  “If we keep a fast pace, we can reach the town of Rattist,” he said. “They should have an inn—or at least a shop where we can eat.”

  “Sounds okay to me…” Tahuuk replied, disappointment flickering across his face. He had hoped for at least some fighting on this escort. His body still ached for it after the Grey Sight Guild’s appearance at the guild hall.

  Haruko and Sakura didn’t object. Jason nodded once as agreement settled.

  A farmer passed them in the opposite direction. His eyes lingered too long—measuring, weighing, as if he were staring at a prize.

  Jason’s shoulders tightened. Sakura noticed.

  More glances followed from passing travelers, from farmers heading the other way. Too many eyes. Too much attention.

  After several hours, the town of Rattist came into view—and Jason immediately felt something was wrong.

  The streets were nearly empty. Townspeople peeked from behind shutters and curtains. Travelers were scarce—far too scarce for a settlement along a trading route.

  “This place feels wrong,” Jason muttered.

  They searched for the inn while scanning every corner. Tahuuk wore a grin that bordered on unsettling—already eager for a fight. Haruko stayed close to his sister, katana never leaving his side. Sakura’s expression had hardened into something unfamiliar: quiet resolve, as if she were prepared to strike first if needed.

  A large two-story building caught their attention. Plenty of rooms. Likely an inn.

  Jason and Tahuuk entered first, positioning themselves instinctively between the escorts and the room.

  The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere snapped tight.

  Travelers. Mercenaries. Barmaids. The innkeeper.

  All conversation died.

  Every gaze locked onto them.

  Jason felt it before he understood it. Recognition.

  The room seemed to notice their confusion—and then, almost in unison, the crowd’s attention shifted to the left.

  Jason and Tahuuk followed their gaze.

  A notice board.

  Large. Central. Covered in guild postings and bounties.

  Two faces stood out.

  Jason’s.

  Tahuuk’s.

  WANTED – GREY SIGHT GUILD

  Inform us on sight. Bounty: 1000 credits for verified information.

  The room turned back to them.

  The innkeeper—stationed behind the counter—looked around once, then spoke sharply.

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  “You should leave. Now. Before you don’t have a choice.”

  Jason glanced sideways at Tahuuk.

  “Slow steps,” he murmured. “Then we’re gone.”

  They backed away without breaking eye contact.

  Whispers rippled through the room.

  “That money’s as good as ours…”

  “Easy credits…”

  The innkeeper slammed his hand down.

  “I don’t care about the bounty. The Greedy Greys are stuck in Dalkion—Den Guild’s holding them back. Lion ordered it.” He leaned forward. “Which means they’ll send Valion. And I do not want him in this town.”

  Some faces paled. Others gleamed with greed.

  Jason spotted two men already typing on their datapads—smiling.

  They’ve already reported us, he realized.

  They didn’t wait.

  Outside, they moved fast.

  “Seems they’re really after us now,” Jason said quietly.

  “It was going to happen sooner or later,” Tahuuk replied.

  “They aren’t after us?” Sakura blurted. “Then why would—”

  Haruko stepped between them, gripping Jason’s arm.

  “We all have secrets. You don’t need to—”

  Sakura stopped him. She faced Jason, eyes downcast.

  “I’m running… from my family,” she admitted. “They will come for me. That’s why we need to leave.”

  Jason saw the pain there—and didn’t press.

  “Then we keep moving. It’ll be worse if Valion arrives.”

  Agreement passed silently between them.

  As they left town, eyes watched from windows, doorways, alley shadows. Any one of them could sell their location. Any one could attack.

  Only the Grey Sight Guild’s reputation kept the town frozen.

  They didn’t slow until the forest swallowed the road.

  Tension lingered even among the trees. Only when they were deep enough did shoulders finally loosen.

  Jason turned to the group.

  “We can push for Bastille and arrive around midnight,” he said. “Or we hunt and reach it early tomorrow. Your call.”

  Tahuuk shrugged. “I’ll follow.”

  Haruko stepped forward. “We continue. If we don’t find food before dark, we hunt.”

  Jason met Tahuuk’s eyes. He knew what that meant.

  “All right,” Jason said. “We move.”

  They stayed off the road for most of the day, only stepping onto it when traffic thinned. Inns and shops grew crowded as evening approached—stopping was too risky.

  Sakura was slowing. Tahuuk noticed before Jason did and bumped him lightly, nodding toward her.

  Jason exhaled. You’re letting fear drive you again.

  “Let’s rest,” he said. “Not far from here.”

  Once camp was set, Tahuuk stopped Jason from joining the others.

  “You’re letting your past rule you again,” he said quietly. “Your eyes… they’re like when we first met.”

  Jason swallowed.

  “I know. I feel connected to her. Every time I look at her, I think of Ironwood. My family.” His voice faltered. “I’ve never felt this before.”

  Tahuuk smirked. “Maybe you’re in lo—”

  “We’re ready for the food,” Sakura said, stepping between them.

  Tahuuk cleared his throat. “I’ll hunt.”

  As he disappeared into the treeline, Sakura turned back to Jason.

  “Thank you… for protecting me.”

  Jason barely heard her. The setting sun reflected in the sweat on her skin, turning her eyes into molten gold.

  “You’re… welcome,” he managed.

  “I don’t know why,” she said softly, “but I always want to be near you. I’ve never fe—”

  “I know,” Jason interrupted gently. “Neither have I.”

  A shriek tore through the forest.

  Tahuuk burst from the treeline—something massive behind him.

  A horned avian predator leapt into the clearing, claws long enough to tear through a human chest. A deep gash bled beneath its wing.

  The creature shrieked again, wings spreading wide.

  Jason stepped beside Tahuuk. "You couldn't hunt a small herbivore...?"

  Tahuuk looked back slightly annoyed. "Get ready, it's attacking."

  Hunter and hunted locked eyes.

  And the forest held its breath.