The Hunt

Chapter 71

I rubbed at my eyes as I rolled over in the small cot, almost toppling over the edge, having to hold my hands out in front of me to to stop myself. Shooting up, I scowled at the sunlight pouring into the tent from underneath the fabric, as well as through a few small holes in the roof.

Cole told me that he would wake me up in a few hours. I wasn't sure how long it had been, but I felt as if I had been asleep for days, my body feeling as if it had been hit by a truck- not that I had ever seen one before. I enjoyed using the expression though.

Groaning, I pushed myself to my feet, stretching out my limbs, liking the way they popped and cracked. I peeked my head out of the tent to see people bustling around as usual, but this time, there were lots of people pushing trolleys with large bags on them. The bags appeared filled, the contents of them looking lumpy, and I watched intently as they rounded a tall tent where nobody could see them.

I had an inkling as to what was in the bags, but I hoped I was wrong.

"Good morning."

I jumped at the voice, not having noticed Tirus standing next to me with his hands clasped behind his back. It took me a few seconds to register who he was, but after my brain comprehended it, I beamed, launching myself into his arms. He chuckled into my shoulder as he respectfully wrapped his arms around me, patting me on the back to let me know that it was probably time to let go of him.

"I'm sorry," I said, embarrassed. "I didn't know if I was going to see you again."

"I'm just relieved that you're okay," Tirus spoke, smiling. "You have no idea how worried we've all been."

I nodded, breathing a heavy sigh of relief that I could check one more person off my list of people I was scared about still being alive. "Did you fight?"

My eyes travelled down to Tirus' arm, and I realised that his bicep had been dressed and wrapped up with a dark bandage. The fabric of it was tainted, and I knew that it was his blood seeping through, most likely an injury he had acquired after being either shot with a wolfsbane arrow or slashed with a knife containing the herb.

Tirus dipped his chin, letting me know that he had fought. He had been one of the lucky ones though. He had made it out mostly unscathed.

"Where's Amara?" I asked with a gulp, wanting to hear the answer, but my insides were screaming at me for asking. I wasn't ready to hear that she hadn't made it.

Tirus shrugged, looking apologetic before noticing my wide eyes, realising that I had misinterpreted what his shrug had actually meant. "No, Reya, she's alive. Cole has just assigned everyone to different roles, so I'm not sure what she's doing. I was told to guard the outside of your tent while you slept."

I breathed a large sigh of relief, running my hand through my messy hair, not liking how tangled it felt between my fingers. I was too anxious to worry about my appearance though. I doubted anyone else cared also.

Scanning across the clearing, my brows furrowed when I spotted who I thought was Rowan. He was far away though, and my eyesight had never been the best. I smiled up at Tirus, letting him know how happy I was that he was okay before excusing myself and walking through the clearing towards the suspected Rowan.

As I neared him, I realised I had been correct in my assumption. He turned me to as I approached, raising his brows with surprise as he offered me a small smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. He never showed emotion and I knew I would be stupid to expect him to start now, but it looked like he was trying.

"You're awake," he stated. "I'll let Cole know."

My eyes scanned down to his arms, and I smiled as I realised he wasn't clutching his silly little notebook he always did. This caught his attention, and he cocked his head at me as he narrowed his eyes.