Lucas managed to sleep another half hour, and by the time he woke, sunlight filtered into the room, casting a pale glow across everything. Dust particles floated in the air, suspended like tiny insects caught in the morning light. He blinked groggily, his gaze drifting to the space under the table, where Grayson had been. But the creature was gone.
Sighing, Lucas swung one leg over the bed, then the other, the floorboards creaking softly under his weight. The next few minutes were spent dressing: his woolen jacket and pants, and his mask, which he stuffed into his pocket for now. He rebuckled the sheath around his waist, resting a hand on the dagger’s hilt as he often did. It had become a habit. Yet this morning, it had no words to say.
He placed a hand on the doorknob, feeling its icy chill. This whole town was an icebox. As he twisted it open, a particular smell hit him, making his nose twitch — spicy and pungent, with a hint of sweetness. He couldn’t quite place it, but beneath it lingered a more familiar scent. Meat. Venison, if he had to guess, and his stomach grumbled at the thought. They did mention breakfast, Lucas thought with a watering mouth.
Closing the entryway softly behind him, Lucas glanced down the corridor to his left. The front door was shut tight. His gaze shifted to a small, open archway with no door, where a thin stream of steam drifted into the hall. He could hear movement within. With careful steps, he moved forward as if navigating a dangerous space, peeking around the aged wooden frame. The room revealed itself to be a small kitchen. Over a fire hung a pot, and within the simmering water, he spotted pieces of ginger root. So, they do get trade here, Lucas noted. Ginger wasn’t known for thriving in cold climates.
To his right, Lucas’s eyes landed on Mia, who was already watching him silently. Her hair was still tousled from sleep, and her coat was dusted with a light layer of snow, melting in the warmth and humidity that filled the room.
“Hey,” Lucas greeted, giving a small wave before nodding toward the steaming pot. “What’s—”
“Humidity, I think,” she interrupted, not waiting for him to finish. “Father hates a dry house.” She turned back to her plate, focusing on a small piece of meat that looked like chicken. His gaze lingered on it, his hunger unmistakable. Noticing this, she paused, swallowing the piece in her mouth. Her teeth were strikingly white, though faint dark circles lingered beneath her eyes.
“You look tired,” Lucas remarked, stepping further into the room. She sat at a tall, polished wooden table that looked surprisingly expensive. He took a seat on one of the stools, which leaned slightly to one side, forcing him to adjust for balance.
Mia bit her lip, poking thoughtfully at her meat with a fork. Should I? she asked herself, then decided it was for the best. But first, she’d have a bit of fun.
“Chicken’s right there.” Mia nodded toward a small wooden plate piled with warm slabs of poultry. “Father made it a little while ago, so it’s still warm…”
Lucas opened his mouth to respond, but the temptation won. Leaning forward, he piled two pieces onto his plate and began eating with his hands. Mia watched him, one eyebrow raised.
“You really like hot meat, hmm?”
“Yeah—well…” Lucas paused mid-bite, glancing at her suspiciously. “Wait. What do you mean by that?” He straightened, trying to brush off her comment with a half-smile.
She smirked, shaking her head. “Nothing, idiot.” Finishing her plate with one last bite, she pushed it aside and leaned back, watching him eat with casual amusement. John had always insisted on table manners, so it felt strange to see someone so carefree about it.
“Hey,” she teased, raising an eyebrow. “There are forks for a reason, you know.”
He paused abruptly. “Oh.” Lucas muttered, setting down the meat and reaching for the silverware. “Sorry—just, uh… not used to all this.”
“To what?” she asked, rubbing her cold, reddened nose.
Lucas hesitated, searching for the right words. “Warm food. A bed.”
“Hm.” That was all she offered in response. Mia had never been one to carry on a conversation for long. Leaning forward, she propped her head up with her hand. “...I was thinking…” She began, sunlight faintly catching in her light blonde hair. “You said you’re leaving… to find your brother…” Her words slowed, and though it was unusual for her to show much emotion to anyone, a hint of hesitation slipped through. “Bring me along.”
He hadn’t expected her to say that. In fact, he’d thought of her as tethered to this place, indifferent to its confines, and another person tagging along wasn’t in his plan. Yet... “You want to come along?” His voice rose in surprise, but he quickly lowered it. “I don’t think that’s possible, Mia.”
I knew he’d say that, she thought, keeping her expression carefully neutral, as always. “Why not?”
“Well…” Lucas sighed, his eyes narrowing slightly. “The biggest reason? You’d be leaving your father.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he pressed on, his tone firmer than before. “And it won’t be a… quick, calm trip. I’m traveling south, Mia…”
“Lucas…” Her words came out in a quiet, yet unmistakable tone. “I’ve been here my entire life. It’s not fair that you’ve been everywhere.”
“Fair?” He frowned, his brow furrowing. “I’d love to settle down in a place like this… constant moving, traveling — it’s not all adventure, Mia. It’s dangerous.”
She crossed her arms defiantly. “Better than here. Anything’s better than here.”
He shook his head. “No. You’re letting your curiosity get the better of you.”
“There’s a reason everyone’s…” She hesitated, uncertain whether to tread carefully or not, but pressed forward, unfiltered. “…left my father and me. My uncle, my mother. Childhood friends…”
Lucas paused, studying her face, as if searching for a sign that she truly understood what she was asking. “You’re a stranger,” he huffed. “I’m grateful for everything, but I’m only looking for my brother. A second person would slow me down. No matter how well you think you’d do out there… everyone thinks that. But the truth is, you don’t have the right… experience.”
“Then take me out there and teach me…” Mia knew her argument was flimsy, grasping at straws, but she couldn’t stop herself.
“Mia,” he replied, his tone softening. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that I don’t owe anyone anything… except family. Sebastian, my brother? I’m not stopping until I find him, even if you’re tired.”
Mia tilted her head, thinking quickly. “Fine,” she said. “Take me to the nearest town, then. I won’t follow you after.”
Lucas held her gaze, hoping she was joking. “Are you sure, Mia?”
Her frigid blue eyes met his with a passive nod, causing him to sigh, long and drawn-out. Without another word, she slid her chair back and crossed through the archway, her expression hardening as she fixated on something, then disappeared. Lucas raised an eyebrow, confused by her sudden departure. But his attention snapped back as John entered the room.
The usual friendly ease in John’s demeanor — relaxed shoulders, crinkled eyes — was gone. Instead, his expression was deadpan, his gaze fixed sharply on Lucas. His eyes, like Mia’s, held a similar intensity but with the wisdom of experience. Without a word, John sat in the chair she’d left.
“So,” he began heavily, “Sebastian?”
Lucas swallowed hard, then nodded. John’s eyes briefly closed as he inhaled. “Sebastian Dark?”
“How did you know?” Lucas’s response was clipped, wary.
“Surprised you haven’t heard… especially if he’s your brother. He’s wanted.”
“No… no, that’s… that’s not possible.” Lucas stumbled over his words. “Who told you this?”
“Trade comes through weekly. We were told to keep an eye out for him. Thought you bore a resemblance, but…” John shook his head with a hardening gaze. “You’re not taking my daughter.”
“I wasn’t planning on—”
“I know,” John interrupted, his voice calm but firm. “But you gave in… see, my daughter has a way with people. She can convince them with a look, her whole demeanor. And if she doesn’t get what she wants? She does it herself.” John stood, leaving the conversation as abruptly as he had begun it. “Don’t go near her,” He said with a last demanding tone, “I’ve prepared a horse for you, with supplies. You leave in an hour.”
Lucas could only nod, stunned into silence. He hadn’t realized just how intimidating John could be.
Though he hated admitting it, Lucas knew John was right. But his brother, a wanted man? That was impossible. It had to be some scare tactic — either to push Lucas to leave or to convince Mia to stay behind.She is one stubborn girl, he thought.
Either way, Lucas was prepared to say goodbye to Blueriver. Even if his time spent in the cold and modest village was short spent. His finger brushed against his dagger again, yet still no words. I’ll find you Sebastian, he said through his mind, as if his brother could hear, I’ll find you.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
