"Fabian! Water, you idiot!" Adrian shouted at one of our men, who was screaming in a way that was almost comical.
In the middle of all that chaos, I felt a small, absurd sense of belonging. At least there was someone here considered an idiot besides me.
And then… drops began to fall.
They quickly turned into a heavy downpour. Rain poured over our scorched heads, relentless and cold.
It took some time, but finally… the flames died out, leaving behind the stench of burnt wood and damp earth, along with a group of exhausted hunters, covered in ash and mud.
Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief as we sank into the mud, looking like a flock of thoroughly miserable chickens. I sighed too, the corner of my mouth lifting into a small smile.
I was still alive.
"Well then," I shouted, trying to lift the mood, "congratulations to us—everyone survived!"
I expected laughter—or at least a few smiles—but all I got were tired, irritated stares. Then one of the men spoke, addressing Adrian directly.
"Could you not bring her along on future missions? She's nothing but trouble."
Oh, come on, Adrian. Defend me. I know I'm a coward and a walking disaster, but at least I add some excitement to your painfully dull lives.
Adrian sighed and looked up at the sky as if begging it for patience. Then he said, "Trust me, I wish she'd stop too—but she's stuck to me like glue."
That bastard. I nearly scooped up a handful of muddy stones and threw it at his head, but a ragged, uneven gasp behind us stopped me.
We all turned toward the sound.
And there he was—the fox we'd been chasing—leaning against a tree, struggling for breath. It seemed the smoke from the fires had finally caught up with him.
Oh, what wonderful luck. Fate was finally on my side.
The same wicked smile spread across my lips that I saw mirrored on everyone else's faces.
We were all thinking the exact same thing.
We closed in on him like starving wolves, each of us waiting for our turn to kick that wretched fox. Yes—I fully support violence against foxes in particular.
Just as we were about to pounce, the fox's shape began to shift. Its fur shrank away, its body stretching and reforming, and within seconds it became a pale young man with a long face and brown eyes. He was handsome—but that did nothing to ease my fury toward him.
Moving fast, he tried to cover his naked body with his hands.
"Oh, come on," I said with a mocking whisper. "This isn't the strangest thing I've seen today."
Adrian tossed his cloak over the young man. For a moment, I thought it was an act of mercy—until he spoke.
"Keep your skin clean and intact," he said coolly. "It fetches a better price on the market."
The handsome youth trembled under our hungry stares. I smiled faintly and knelt in front of him, running my fingers through his tangled hair.
"Even his hair would be useful for making—"
I didn't get to finish. Suddenly, Adrian's hand clamped around my arm and yanked me back.
"Stay away from him," he said sharply. "Just you standing near him is enough to trigger a disaster."
I scoffed, then sighed. I tried to give them a pleading look, but apparently they'd developed a solid immunity to it over time.
Things only got worse when we returned to the decrepit inn. The innkeeper was waiting for us, his face twisted with unmistakable anger. After several minutes of tense conversation, Adrian turned to us and announced that we would have to pay for the damages.
I felt the men's furious stares land on me. I tried to avoid their eyes, but they moved quickly, closing in around me to make sure I caught every single look of blame.
"I was trying to help!" I protested. All I got in return were angry murmurs. Damn you all.
"We're sorry for what happened. We'll pay for everything," Adrian said calmly. A wave of temporary relief washed over me. All right—maybe this would sort itself out after all…
But once the innkeeper had walked away, Adrian turned back to us and added, "I'll deduct the amount from Selene's share of this mission."
"That's not fair!" I shouted, scowling. They're taking advantage of the fact that I'm the only woman among them to steal my money!
"Just to remind you," one of the men said irritably, "you're the one who broke the door and interrupted that couple's… private relaxation session."
I ignored him and turned to Adrian, gripping his arm. "Adrian, I need that money."
"I'm sorry, my dear," he said coolly, "but you'll have to face the consequences of your actions."
I let go of his arm and stormed off toward where I'd left my horse, seething. I know I made mistakes—but is it really too much to ask for these men to behave like gentlemen and pay on my behalf?!
The horse was gone.
All that remained was a haze of cart dust and a handful of furious inn workers shooting me murderous looks. He really had run off.
I heard a long sigh behind me. Adrian was standing there, having understood the situation without a word.
"That makes the seventh horse," he muttered deliberately close to my ear.
I felt an urgent need to flip the situation on him before he humiliated me any further. "Are you saying I don't know how to take care of horses?"
"Yes. That is exactly what I'm saying."
I stared at him in disbelief. He was supposed to apologize—not confirm it!
"Just… get in the carriage, Selene."
"I don't want to!" I snapped. I needed to preserve whatever scraps of dignity I had left today. I crossed my arms and waited for him to apologize—but instead, he turned coldly toward his horse and called out to the others, "Let's move!"
Were they really going to leave me here? I hate you, Adrian.
I huffed in irritation as I watched them prepare to depart. They'll call me back—I was sure of it. They wouldn't actually leave me behind…
Oh gods. They're really leaving without me.
I had no choice. I ran after the wagons, shouting, "Stop! You can't leave me here!"
I waved frantically, but they kept moving as if they couldn't see me. I ran until exhaustion crushed me, my legs refusing to go any farther.
"Bastards," I spat between angry breaths.
And then I remembered.
Why beg—when I could strike back?
I pulled my enchanted bow from the ring. "Now you'll learn the price," I whispered, drawing the string back.
The flaming arrows streaked through the air like furious meteors. Fire flared up around the horses, making them rear and scream in panic, coming to an abrupt halt.
Some of the men leapt from the wagons; others hit the ground hard. I laughed out loud as I watched their chaos unfold—yes, this is exactly what they deserve.
I walked toward them slowly, ignoring their furious glares. Then I climbed onto my wag
on, where Adrian was struggling to calm his terrified horse.
"Insane! What do you think you're doing?!" he shouted.