Chapter 185 Another fight

Chapter 185 Another fight
ADRIANA
Jared jerked up angrily. He looked like he wanted to storm into the meeting and tear it apart.
“I don’t understand!” I pulled him back. First of all, if we made our presence known and asked for a fight, we would be outnumbered. Secondly, what did he mean by treason?
“Explain to me, please,” I pleaded.
Jared took a deep breath, but it didn’t seem to calm him because he began pacing. “They’re starting a pack.”
I had not expected that. “Is that a bad thing?” I remembered someone saying the High City was not a pack but needed to be one.
“Yes. Yes, it is. It would mean two authorities leading the city, and two masters cannot steer a boat—one would overthrow the other.”
I scoffed. “That small gathering cannot overthrow the Queen.” It was literally impossible.
“No, it can’t. Not yet. But it’ll grow, and then, when it’s strong enough, it will.”
That sounded realistic.
“Why don’t you inform the Queen?” I asked. “She can do something to stop this gathering.” It sounded simple to me. I could simply command them to stop meeting and terminate the assembly immediately.
Jared looked disappointed in me. “Look. Do you see those bags near the woods?” I did; I had assumed they were refreshments for the participants.
“I’ve seen one of those bags up close," Jared explained. "They have the badge of an NGO for traders—an organization that has always been in the High City. It means two things. One, someone with a lot of power is behind them. Two, they’re gathering in the name of the NGO, so there is no proof that they’re starting a pack.”
“The Queen would not doubt your word. You don’t need proof.”
“The Queen would not doubt me, but it would not be easy to terminate a body that helps the people just because she’s scared for her power. It’ll turn the people against her. She might not be able to handle it.” He shook his head.
“I think you might be underestimating the Queen,” I huffed.
Jared winced. “You do not know Adriana, but I do. She was born into a royal family. She doesn’t have your strength; she wasn’t trained among men like you. She’s… soft.”
The words tore through me like fire, burning my insides to ash. I pulled myself together and willed myself not to cry. At least now I knew what Jared really thought of me as queen. He had said "soft," but in truth, what he meant was "incapable."
“So, how do you intend to stop this organization?” I asked.
Jared turned back to the group. “We’ll follow the masked man!”
We waited in silence for the group to disperse, and then we were ready. Just before we made our move, Jared pulled me close and slipped a mask over my head.
“We don’t know who he is. I don’t want him to see you. He might come for you or hurt you. I don’t think I could bear that.”
I scoffed. “I’d like to see him try.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful,” Jared pleaded.
“I promise.” They were mere words, because whosoever was in charge could not find me even if he tried.
The man moved with three guards. One of them seemed very familiar. We took another route that led us ahead of the men.
“Hiiiiii,” I waved. I crossed my legs and tilted to the side, giving them a look that would have been considered sexy if I wasn’t wearing a mask. I thought about getting a pink mask; it would add a vibe to my look. I would love it.
“Damn! You’re hot!” Jared muttered beside me.
I laughed. “You see, I’m here to say hi to you.” I pointed at the masked man. “As you can see, you’re one of us.”
The man instinctively stepped back. His men shifted into a formation in front of him, creating a barrier.
“I see. We have a coward in our midst,” I snickered. “Let’s get down to business then.”
One of the men attacked Jared, while the other two just stared at me.
“What? You can’t fight a woman?” Now I was pissed.
The man didn’t move until I was just a few steps away from him. My boot crashed into his face before he realized he had made a wrong judgment.
The other guard reacted faster. He came at me with pure resentment. He was the one I suspected I knew.
I had only one aim: to mark him on his face or his hand—a spot that would be very difficult to hide.
He was fast. But Cody was faster, and since I trained with Cody, I was faster still. He aimed a blow at me, but I caught his wrist. I tried to dislocate it, but he freed himself before I could.
I looked up to see that the masked man and the third guard were running away. I tried to give chase, but the bastard pulled me back, and my spine hit the floor with a heavy crash.
He was ready to pounce on me, but Jared had already downed the man he was fighting and was coming to help. Realizing he wouldn't win, the guard turned and ran off.
Even though he was gone, something felt completely off. The man had stared at me with such pure hatred.
Did he recognize me?