Bounty Hunter (The Black Tulip Chronicles #1)

17. Vera

Chapter 17

Vera

I ’m positive this man is the bounty we’ve been searching for. The moment I stepped into the inn and saw him, I knew. My mouth feels dry. The sketch was inaccurate. I take in his features with disdain. He is dreadfully handsome—unlike the artist’s rendition shown on the parchment in my pocket shows him to be. Surprising. Most sketches, especially of the criminals I search for, give a little more in the looks department than is true. Doesn’t matter. I do this for pay, not boyfriends. But this man is different in that I don’t sense the… ‘I’m a criminal’ vibe about him. Doesn’t mean it’s not there, though.

Along with that, I get the sense he has a glamour. My magic enables me to see through glamour, which is probably the explanation for the large discrepancy between the bounty sketch and his actual appearance. But while they don’t work on me, I wonder why he uses one. Can’t be for anything good. I should know, I was raised with the fae, but my instincts have failed me before. I won’t be one to be taken advantage of by his looks and charm, his blue eyes, and the roughness that a few days’ scruff adds to his strong jawline. He has the list, which only confirms that he’s a mercenary, and he’s after my kind .

"Can't help you,” I say to the man.

“Can’t, or won’t?” he challenges.

If he’s asking me that, he already knows. I intentionally take a very loud and obnoxious slurp of soup as I consider what to do. The man looks at me oddly. Good, I don’t want him looking at me any other way.

I know I should mind my business, let Rhette track him down later. I have enough information that I know he’d find him in a day or two, but what if he can’t? I need the money, and he’s right here. According to the rules, I am simply an Originator—that’s all I signed up for. Rhette is the hunter. But still, I’m this close to guaranteeing this job. What if someone else snatches him before we do because I don’t do anything? It’s too bad Rupi stayed in the forest while I grabbed a bite to eat, or she may have reined in my impulsivity, but she’s not here, and I make a split second decision as I eye the despicable list of names—women I know personally—and mine is included. Can’t have that.

I know I shouldn’t anger the man without Rhette’s protection, but he won’t need that list after we arrest him anyway, and it’ll feel so good. I grab my glass, and with a quick flick of my wrist, a large splash of hot tea soaks the parchment through. Immediately, the ink begins to run and turn blotchy in parts, the man jumps up and attempts to salvage the dripping mess with a look of anger and surprise. I smirk with warm satisfaction, shovel another bite of food in my mouth, and take my exit from the inn without another word.

I feel genuine regret at leaving half a bowl of long-simmered, hearty soup behind. I shouldn’t have provoked him, but my plan has satisfied two needs. One, the man is angry and will probably lead himself right to us. Second, even if it is the tiniest bit of ground, I’ve set a mercenary off course and destroyed a list that could identify myself and my Tulip sisters. If he’s worth his hire as a mercenary, he’ll find me soon enough. I cackle to myself as I leave the cobblestone street and make my way into the forest. I don’t generally use myself as bait during contracts—haven’t ever, actually. I don’t get paid enough for that. But right now, I need the money and Rhette has my back… I hope. I just need to get back to camp and hope he’s there by now.

I stride quickly in the direction I took into town, following the same spotty deer path I took on my way into the village. Rhette and I made camp about half a mile away, and I can only hope he’s ready when I get there because I have a feeling that the criminal is already on my trail. I, of course, won’t do the arresting. I am here solely for magical support, but from the previous bounties I’ve assisted with, it’s best to do the arresting away from the public eye so no one interferes. And that’s the case, especially with this guy, who can probably get whatever he wants with a quick blink of his blue eyes. Or his fists. I recall how he won several rounds of vicious fighting to get that list. I scoff. No, he wouldn’t need violence to kill my Tulip sisters. If he finds them, he’ll probably lead them to their deaths with a simple roguish smile.

My anger grows tight and hot while I walk in the direction of our camp, but I begin to realize the area looks unfamiliar, the deer path too well trodden at this point. My confidence goes from fiery to fizzling in moments. I slow my steps but continue forward, feeling a bit of panic stir in my chest. If I can’t find my way back to Rhette, and that man finds me first… I swallow, but my throat is tight with anxiety, and it turns into an audible gulp. Rules, Vera. There are rules for a reason .

My eyes scan around me hurriedly, for something, any sort of new plan. I glimpse a perfect, large evergreen tree ahead and realize if I can climb that, I might be able to find the trail, or at least hide until the man passes through and let Rhette find him later. Feeling my confidence recover a bit, I hop over a couple of boulders and clamber through bushes and long grass to get there. My eyes are so busy concocting a plan that will have me waiting in the tree above that it’s not until I smell a hint of the sourness that clings after goblins have passed through that I slow. It’s too late, a rope cinches tightly around my right ankle and I let out a yelp as it yanks me into the air, my ankle popping uncomfortably. I awkwardly turn my head as I hear the pattering of soft dirt and the rustle of foliage around me. Dozens of the short, smelly goblins gather beneath me. My nostrils burn, and my eyes begin to water. These creatures could put a close-proximity encounter with a skunk to shame. I kick and buck until it feels like my foot is going to disconnect completely from my leg. It’s no secret what the goblins do to their prisoners. Never break the rules, I mentally chastise myself. The rope is released without any warning. I hit the ground head-first, and everything goes black.