Page 26 of Marked

I didn’t even like the jerk anymore.

Paul grunted and stretched his arms over his head. I hadn’t seen him last night at the bonfire at all, but that wasn’t out of the ordinary. He usually found a willing bed partner or partners early and spent the rest of the evening in a private celebration.

I gagged a little in my mouth.

“A good time?” Ace mused. “I certainly received a warm welcome.”

I narrowed my eyes. I didn’t want to ask what he meant, though the suggestion was clear.

And why did I even care? I hated him and needed to focus on more important things.

Since Ace’s arrival, I’d had time to cool down and think on the sequence of events over the last few days. Something just wasn’t adding up. I’d been attacked twice, sure, but the queen would’ve only known about one of those attacks before she assigned Ace my partner. Something else was going on.

“What happened?” I asked Paul.

“From what I hear, Maria threw herself at our friend here.” Paul jerked his thumb in Ace’s direction.

“Not my friend and not what I was asking.”

“Took all night to extract myself from her in case that’s what you’re asking,” Ace chimed in.

“Is that what we’re calling it now?” I shook my head. I had no desire to discuss Ace’s extractions. “And again, not what I was asking. Something bad must’ve happened for Queen Titania to order me to take a partner and then threaten me, her most skilled hunter, if I didn’t comply.”

Paul and Ace exchanged a look. The latter shrugged and looked away, leaving it to my brother to tell me the truth.

Irritation made my skin itch and heat traveled up my neck and cheeks. My brother should’ve told me everything already. I shouldn’t have had to ask in the first place.

“A body was found in the forest,” Paul said.

“So? I am fairly sure I left about six there the other day.”

“It was Dita.”

I froze. “Dita?”

He nodded.

How was that possible? Dita was a galeon descendent with a bonded familiar. She was as indestructible as me, though she chose a different role in our society.

“How is that possible?” I asked.

“We don’t know.”

“What happened to her familiar?”

“No sign, but given Dita’s death, I would assume the familiar met a similar fate.”

“But how is that possible?” Maybe if I asked the same question twice, I’d get a different answer.

“Like I said, we don’t know,” Paul repeated, a little more sternly. “There were no animal markings or wounds other than a single arrow shot to the chest.” Paul nodded at Ace. “Having more hunters around isn’t a bad thing. Having someone watch your back isn’t a bad thing. I don’t think the queen meant for Ace to be punishment. I think she’s trying to protect you.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that.” I didn’t need Ace’s protection. I had Nala.

Ace folded his arms over his chest.

“How did she die?” I asked Paul. Ace didn’t deserve any of my attention.

“The arrow in the chest doesn’t give it away?” Ace asked.