The North was silent, but it wasn't a peaceful silence. It was the kind of quiet that made you listen for every snapping twig. The kind of silence that makes
You relived but you still have your guard up.
Faith sat by the window in Killian's room. She was wearing one of his large black sweaters. It smelled like him, She looked at her pale hands. The silver markings were faint, almost invisible now. She tried to spark a bit of lightning, but nothing happened. Her fingers just felt cold.
The door creaked open. Killian walked in, carrying a tray with a bowl of hot soup and a glass of water. He had removed his suit jacket, and his white shirt was unbuttoned at the top. He looked tired, but when his gold eyes met hers, they softened instantly.
"You know you should be in bed," he said. It wasn't a scold, it was a plea.
I'm tired of lying down, Killian, Faith said. Her voice was stronger today, but it still lacked the "Goddess" ring it had at the palace. I feel like a bird with no wings. Every time I close my eyes, I see the King's face. I see that black blade.
Killian set the tray down on the small table and walked over to her. He knelt in front of her chair, taking both of her hands in his. His palms were warm, and for a moment, Faith felt a tiny spark of comfort, not from magic, but from him.
"The King is miles away, Faith," Killian said firmly. "And my men are watching every inch of this valley. You are safe."
Faith looked at him, her brown eyes searching his face. But for how long? You took me in when I jumped on your car, Killian. You saw a girl running from Silas and a betrayal by her own aunt. Why are you still here? Why aren't you back in the city making more millions?
Killian's jaw tightened. He stood up, but he didn't move away. He leaned down, placing his hands on the arms of her chair, pinning her in with his presence.
"I've made enough millions to last ten lifetimes, Faith," he whispered. His face was only inches from hers. "I'm here because I really want to be. I'm here because since the moment you crashed into my life, my world hasn't been the same. I don't care about the power. I care about the girl who was brave enough to jump into the unknown just to be free."
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was so gentle it made Faith's breath catch. For a second, the war didn't matter. The King didn't matter. There was only the heat between them.
"I'm not letting anyone take you," Killian promised. "Not the King, Not the hunters, No one."
Faith leaned forward, resting her forehead against his. "Thank you, Killian."
Downstairs, the atmosphere was much colder. Leo was standing over a large map spread out on a heavy oak table. He was marking red circles around the mountain passes.
Killian walked into the room, his face turning back into stone the moment he left Faith's side. "Is it ready?"
Leo nodded. My father is predictable. He thinks he's the only one who knows how to use a 'Dud' as bait. He'll send his hunters to the most obvious path, the main road through the valley.
"Very Good," Killian growled. Let them think we're hiding there.
I've already sent a decoy transport toward the old mining town to the East, Leo explained, pointing at the map. "It's carrying a heat signature that mimics Faith's old energy. It's faint, just like a recovering Catalyst would be. The hunters will follow it like bloodhounds."
Killian looked at the map. And the pass?
"Trapped," Leo said with a dark smile. "I've rigged the narrowest part of the mountain trail with pulse-mines. If anything with a King's tracking signal moves through there, the whole cliffside will come down on their heads. They won't even know what hit them."
Killian tapped his finger on the table. "We need to make sure they think she's weak. If they think she's a Goddess, they'll bring an army. If they think she's just the girl who escaped Silas, they'll send only a few hunters. We want them to be overconfident."
They already think she's a Dud, Leo reminded him. "The news from the palace is that the Catalyst is dead or empty. My father is the only one who knows the truth, and he's too proud to tell his generals he lost to a girl."
Killian looked out the window at the falling snow. He wasn't the same man who had first checked Faith's background. He was a man with something to lose now, and that made him the most dangerous Alpha in the world.
"Let them come," Killian said. His voice was as cold as the ice outside. We aren't just hiding anymore. We're hunting.
Back in the bedroom, Faith felt a strange shiver go down her spine. She looked at her hand again. For a split second, a tiny spark of silver light danced between her fingers before vanishing.
She didn't say a word. She didn't call for Killian. She just smiled softly and closed her hand into a tight fist, hiding the secret. She wasn't just a Dud. The Source wasn't gone. It was just waiting. And when it came back, she wouldn't be the bait anymore. She would be the trap.