Chereads / Contract Marriage: A Deal with Destiny / Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: The Hunt Begins

Chapter 108 - Chapter 108: The Hunt Begins

Serena stepped outside the small general store, her pulse quickening as the figure in the alley vanished from view. The quiet town felt suddenly claustrophobic, the narrow streets and sleepy homes now seeming more like a maze of traps than a sanctuary. Whoever was following them had been patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. Now, it seemed that moment had arrived.

Rebecca joined her, moving silently, her eyes scanning the street for any sign of danger. "You saw him too," she murmured, her hand hovering near her gun.

Serena nodded, her voice low and urgent. "Yeah. They're watching us. They know we're here."

They moved quickly away from the store, trying to blend in with the few townspeople who were beginning their day, but every instinct told Serena that they were being tracked. The figure had melted into the shadows too easily, too smoothly. Whoever they were, they knew how to remain invisible until it was time to strike.

"We need to get out of town," Serena whispered as they rounded a corner, keeping their pace steady but alert. "We can't afford to lead them to my contact."

Rebecca gave a quick nod. "What's the plan? We try to shake them or confront them?"

Serena hesitated. The logical part of her mind told her to avoid confrontation—to slip out of town unnoticed and disappear back into the wilderness. But the presence of the Lumen Corvus in her pack weighed heavily on her, its danger palpable. If they didn't deal with whoever was following them, they'd be hunted relentlessly. And whoever it was, they weren't here by accident.

"We confront them," Serena decided, her voice firm. "But on our terms. We can't let them pick the time or place."

Rebecca smirked, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "Good. I'm getting tired of running."

They moved quickly, slipping through the narrow alleyways that lined the town, keeping to the shadows as they made their way toward the outskirts. The old, weathered buildings and cobblestone streets gave way to a dense forest on the edge of town, a perfect place for them to set their trap.

As they reached the tree line, Serena paused, her eyes scanning the area behind them. The street was quiet, but the sense of being watched was stronger than ever. Whoever was following them would make their move soon.

Rebecca crouched beside her, already setting up their ambush. "This should be good enough," she muttered, glancing at the thick trees and dense underbrush. "We draw them in here, force them to reveal themselves."

Serena nodded, her hand tightening around the knife strapped to her thigh. She could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation of the coming fight buzzing in her veins. They didn't know how many were following them, or how well-prepared their pursuers were, but they had the element of surprise. At least, for now.

They took their positions in the underbrush, crouching low, hidden from view but with a clear line of sight toward the edge of town. The minutes stretched on in silence, the only sounds the rustle of leaves in the wind and the distant murmur of the town waking up behind them. Serena's grip tightened on her knife as the seconds ticked by.

Then, movement.

A figure appeared at the edge of the forest, just beyond the tree line, moving cautiously but with purpose. Serena's breath caught in her throat as she saw them—a tall, hooded figure, their face obscured by shadow. They paused for a moment, scanning the area as if searching for something—or someone.

Serena's heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline surging through her veins. This was it.

The figure moved deeper into the forest, their steps silent, methodical. Serena held her breath, waiting, watching as the figure came closer. The tension in the air was suffocating, each second stretching into eternity as they neared the spot where she and Rebecca lay hidden.

Finally, when the figure was just a few feet away, Serena sprang into action.

She leaped from her hiding spot, her knife raised, ready to strike. The figure reacted instantly, spinning around with surprising speed, a glint of metal flashing in the dim light. Serena barely had time to react as the blade came toward her, blocking it with her own knife in a clash of metal that sent sparks flying.

The figure was fast—too fast. Their movements were fluid, practiced, as they fought back with precision. Serena gritted her teeth, dodging another strike as she circled her opponent, looking for an opening.

Rebecca moved in from the side, gun drawn, aiming for the figure's back. But before she could fire, the figure twisted, grabbing Rebecca's wrist and disarming her with a swift, brutal movement. The gun clattered to the ground as Rebecca cursed, ducking under the figure's next strike and delivering a hard punch to their side.

The fight was fast and brutal, the three of them locked in a deadly dance of blades and fists. Serena could feel the strength in the figure's movements, their skill undeniable. Whoever they were, they were no ordinary pursuer.

But Serena had fought too many battles to be intimidated now.

She feinted left, then lunged right, her knife catching the figure's arm. A grunt of pain escaped them, but they recovered quickly, spinning to face her again. Serena pressed the attack, driving them back with a series of quick strikes, her movements sharp and precise.

Rebecca, now armed with a second knife, joined the assault, forcing the figure to divide their attention between the two of them. The fight was chaotic, the sound of metal clashing and grunts of exertion filling the air.

Finally, Serena saw her opening. The figure hesitated for just a split second—long enough for her to slip past their guard. She drove her knife toward their side, but at the last moment, the figure twisted, catching her arm and throwing her to the ground with a sharp, brutal motion.

Serena hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of her. She gasped for breath, but before the figure could finish the job, Rebecca was there, slamming into them with the full force of her body.

The figure staggered, but didn't go down. They recovered quickly, but not before Serena scrambled to her feet, ready to rejoin the fight.

But before she could move, the figure spoke, their voice low and calm, cutting through the chaos.

"Enough."

Serena froze, her knife still raised, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The figure stood still now, one hand raised in a gesture of peace, the other holding their blade loosely at their side. For the first time, Serena could see their face—partially obscured by the hood, but with enough detail to make out a pair of sharp, calculating eyes.

"We're not enemies," the figure said, their voice even. "At least, not yet."

Serena's heart pounded, her mind racing. "Who are you?"

The figure didn't answer immediately, instead lowering their blade slowly, as if trying to show they weren't a threat. "Someone who knows what you're carrying," they said quietly. "And someone who can help."

Rebecca stepped forward, her expression hard, her knife still raised. "Why should we believe you?"

The figure met Serena's gaze, their eyes steady and unblinking. "Because the Lumen Corvus is more dangerous than you realize. And if you don't listen to me, you won't survive long enough to find out why."

Serena's grip tightened on her knife, her mind reeling. Whoever this person was, they had been following them, waiting for the right moment. But there was something in their eyes—something that made her pause.

For the first time since the battle began, Serena hesitated.

"What do you know about the artifact?" Serena asked, her voice low, but steady.

The figure smiled faintly, lowering their hood. "More than you could ever imagine."