Chapter 12: Hidden Agendas

Surprisingly enough, the stranger did not even bat an eye.  Instead, he shot Kieran a smug smile before he ran his finger on the edge of the axe’s blade.

“That’s a beautiful axe you got there,” he commented.  “You surely don’t want that to get ruined.”

Kieran’s grip tightened on the axe’s handle when we all saw how a mere touch from the stranger’s fingers dented the tip.  He then manipulated the metal to create a sickle blade.  I know that Kieran’s axe was made out of a blessed metal, but…

That was the first time I saw a Red possess blessings from the Goddess.  As far as I could remember from my studies, Reds would usually stay away from anything that was blessed by our temples, because they fear the Mother Goddess’s power.  So how could he even possess the blessing of the Goddess?

Something’s not right…

They hate us, Lycans, to the bones, because we were often favored, while they were always shunned by the gods because they treat the Red’s existence as mistakes.  One was often blessed with gifts, the other often punished with curses.

And yet, this stranger possessed both.

“That’s enough,” I scolded them, before taking Kieran’s axe, now turned to a sickle.  “I did not know a Red could be capable of doing this.”

The smugness on his lips did not fade.  “Well, what can I say? I’m a man of many talents, Your Majesty.”

I shot him a glare, trying to analyze his body language.  However, no matter how hard I tried to read his mind, I could not even catch a glimpse of his most recent memories.

The stranger let out a deep sigh and stood up.  “Well, the night’s quite old, and I wish to retire to my bed.  I’m sure this puppy would want to rest now, too.  You swept those Black Wolves earlier as if they were dust from the street.”

He walked towards the door, and neither Kieran nor Lind tried to stop him from leaving.  It was quite evident that they both did not want to mess with the stranger, let alone stay in proximity with him.

Kieran shot me a knowing glance.  As if he was telling me that he noticed the things that I did too.

“Word of advice, Your Majesty.  If you can secure ammunition like the one your father had, the better.  They’ll help you in the long run.  Your powers won’t be able to stop a rain of acid bullets next time.”  He paused.  “Oh, and this one’s for you.  You know where to find me.”

He tossed something in the air, which I was able to catch.  When I opened my hands, it was a necklace with a small ball locket pendant.  Before I could even ask what it was for, the Red had long been gone.

“I don’t trust that Red,” Kieran commented as he took back his sickle.  “It’s bizarre for someone like him to help us.”

I didn’t answer.  After all, that same stranger was the one who saved my life.  Twice.

If not because of him, I would’ve been gone long ago.

Besides, why am I sensing a mate bond with him?  Reds were known to be notoriously polygamous, and mate bonds were nonexistent with them, especially with other beings.

Was he helping us because I’m his mate?

I shook my head.  Kieran has a point.  The stranger won’t benefit from helping us, who were challenging the crown of an enemy nation of his, even if I’m his mate.   Given his aristocratic status, he would be committing treason for assisting us.

“Hestia, are you with us?”  Kieran asked, his voice a bit irritated.  “You seem distracted.”

“I’m just thinking about the bounty,”  I lied before clasping the amulet tight in my hands and hiding it in my pocket.

Kieran scoffed as he threw the sickle on the wooden table.  “Thirty-five million minted gold coins and a sacred necklace… Don’t you think the prize is a bit steep for assassinating a Rogue and a Queen contender?”

“My father must be desperate,” I replied before sitting down on the bed to heal one of my wounds.  “Medea was this close to sitting on the throne.”

“Where would he even get that amount of money?  Just from his army of Black Wolves alone, Alpha Heron would be close to spending half a billion yearly.”  Kieran paused.  “Unless…”

“Augustus…” I whispered under my breath.

I did not even want to entertain the thought of him colluding with my family to take me down.  After all, I’ve seen Augustus as a crying mess earlier, profusely claiming that he didn’t know and that he didn’t mean to hurt me.

I bitterly laughed.  Who am I even kidding?  Even a donkey could act better than him.

I should’ve seen through his act.  I shouldn’t have even hesitated for a bit.

He’s the Vassal to Medea.  And every ounce of his loyalty would naturally belong to her.

“Hestia…”

“I’ve expected that already,”  I softly said.  I took a deep breath and smiled at Kieran.  “He has always been loyal to my sister.  He would definitely roll on the floor and wag his tail if my sister said so.”

He didn’t answer.  I wondered if Kieran saw through me.  Because even if I claim to feel fine and act unaffected, Fluke kept on whimpering ever since that realization hit me.

“Lind, can you check the car and see if we can still drive back to our accommodation?”  I asked Lind.  “Kieran, can you go with him?”

“But you’ll be left alone—”

“Please?”  my voice cracked.

He didn’t ask again.  He pulled Lind out of the shack, leaving me alone to contemplate.

Maybe it was really a curse that the Goddess made me trusting.  Loving Augustus had hurt me and nearly got me killed, and yet, here I am, still giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Kieran was right.  I should really separate my emotions from our cause.

I dug into my pockets to look at the necklace the stranger gave me when I felt heat coming from it.  My hands trembled as I pried the locket open, wondering what was inside.

A small, folded piece of paper fell on the ground.  I picked it up.

“Meet me at the Queen’s Point.  I have something important.  Come alone.”