The Queen's hound

I had three rules when hunting someone:

Never let them know you're following them.

Never underestimate what a desperate being is capable of.

And most importantly, never let them think they escaped.

Unfortunately, Lord Harrow had made the mistake of giving me every reason to remember them.

And for four days, I followed him.

Four damn days of mudddy roads, terrible inns and pretending to be an ordinary woman with absolutely no interest in the man whose movements I spent so long memorizing.

He was predictable. And predictable people were easy.

They were those who woke at the same hour, drank the same wine, spoke to the same pathetic people and trusted the same lies.

Lord Harrow had made all four.

And he was also about to make his fifth.

He looked over his shoulder.

I smiled.

He couldn't see me...yet.

I was standing beneath the shadow of an oak tree, watching him ride along one of the narrow roads that led to the Eldergrove forest.

His horse looked restless, and it ears were twitching towards the trees. Towards me.

Smart animal.

He slowed.

And I moved. One step. Then another.

The veyl blood rushing through my veins made moving through the dark forest almost effortless. And thanks to it, I could hear the horse's breathing, and Lord Harrow's gloves creaking around the reins. I could even hear the faint rhythm of his heartbeat.

Fast. Very fast.

He was nervous.

I smiled. Interesting.

I stepped onto the road, forcing the horse to stop on its track.

Harrow nearly swore.

Then he looked at me, recognition flickering across his sharp features.

''Oh.'' I said, amused. ''You know me.''

His hand moves towards his sword.

''I wouldn't do that if I were you.''

He stopped.

'' I'd hate to ruin your evening.'' I finished, smirking.

''Y-you're the Queen's hound.'' He whispered.

I rolled my eyes. ''People keep calling me that.''

''Stay away from me.'' He said, but it sounded more like a plea than an order.

I glanced around the empty forest.

''Bit late for that.''

He reached for his sword again. I sighed.

Men really did have a big attachment to swords.

''Lord Harrow.'' I said. ''If you draw that sword, we both know this place will turn into a slaughterhouse.''

''Is that a threat? You think you can threaten me?"

''No.'' I simply say as I tilt my head.

''I think I already have.''

He drew his sword and jumped out of the horse, making it bolt out of the road.

Harrow charged.

I smiled.

And he lunged.

I stepped aside, and the blade cut through empty air.

He turned quickly, and swung again.

This time, I cut the blade with mine.

Steel range through the forest.

He was stronger than I had expected. But not strong enough.

Not fast enough.

Never fast enough.

I twisted my wrist and his sword slipped.

''Oops.'' I said as I kicked it away.

His expression changed radically.

Fear.

There it was. My favorite part.

He reached for a dagger hidden in his coat. But I caught his wrist before he could draw it.

His eyes widened.

''You really should stop doing just what I expect. It's too easy.'' I said as a reply to that look.

I twisted, making him drop to one knee, letting my dagger rest against his throat.

His breathing was uneven. Mine wasn't.

Another advantage of being a Veyl.

Strength. Speed. Reflexes. And senses sharp enough to hear a lie before it's spoken.

Well...not literally.

I wasn't a psychic.

That would be terribly powerful.

I simply knew people.

And people were remarkably predictable when frightened.

''How do you know about the letters? Who told you?"

Now, we're getting to the point.

I leaned closer. ''Wouldn't you like to know?"

I pulled three folded letters from inside my coat.

His face completely drained out of color.

''These letters?"

When he didn't answer, I unfolded the first one.

''Weird.'' I said, a smile forming at my lips. ''It has your seal.''

The second.

''Isn't this your handwriting?" I said.

The third.

''And finally, the name of every officer you've been paying.''

His jaw tightened.

''You have no proof.'' He shouted.

I held the letters between two fingers.

''I'm holding it.''

He smiled. ''You can't execute me without a trial.''

''Can't I?''

His smile disappeared.

I laughed. ''Just kidding. I know. And that's why I'm not going to execute you.''

He looked confused.

I stood up.

''Because you're going to tell me everything.''

I folded my arms.

''And if I refuse?" He asks.

''Then I'll let the Crown's soldiers ask. Is that what you want?" I reply, smiling again.

His face paled and he shook his head.

I turned away.

Behind me, I heard him curse.

I shrugged.

People always talked eventually.

The trick was just convincing them they had chosen to.

And I was very good at it.

By the time the soldiers arrived, Lord Harrow had told me everything.

Almost everything.

There was one name he refused to say.

I noticed.

Of course I did.

I simply didn't have time to press him.

Because the moment I returned to the palace, I was summoned to the Queen.

And judging by the expression on the messenger's face, whatever waited behind those doors was going to be way worse than Lord Harrow.

I sighed.

I was beginning to miss him already.