Chapter 5 The Path To Redemption

As Evie and Rylan walked farther from the village, the trees overtook them, growing thicker like the stars above a scraggly roof. The scent of pine and damp earth hung heavy in the air, and the only sounds besides our footsteps were the crunch of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. Evie remained on high alert, her device intently tuned to threats. She still didn't know if she could trust Rylan, but right now he was her best chance of getting out alive.

"So," Rylan said, shattering the stillness, "what's the plan? Take the capital, slay Seraphine, redeem your name? Or are we leaning more into something subtle?"

He glanced sideways at Evie. "I'm not ready to share those details yet."

Rylan chuckled. "Fair enough. But if you're going up against the Ashfords and the Ardent family, you'll need more than a dagger and a bad attitude."

"I have more than that," Evie said, her tone taut.

"Oh?" Rylan raised an eyebrow. "Care to share?"

Evie hesitated. She wasn't prepared to show just how powerful she could be not yet. But she couldn't argue that Rylan wasn't dry. To stand against Seraphine and Kael, she would need allies, resources, and a plan. And as much as she'd hate to admit it, Rylan didn't appear to be a stranger to the empire's underbelly.

"I have ... abilities," she finally said. "But they come with a cost."

Rylan's smile dropped, replaced with a look of true curiosity. "Abilities, huh? Like what?"

Evie halted and turned to him. She reached her hand out, and a tendril of dark energy wrapped around her fingers, beating with a radiant glow. Rylan's eyes got big, but to his credit, he didn't flinch.

"Interesting," he said, thoughtfully. "And the cost?"

"It makes a change in me," Evie said, her voice low. "Each time I use it, I lose a little more of myself."

Rylan gave the serious nod. "You must play a dangerous game." But if it gets us close to bringing down Seraphine, I'm in."

Evie scrutinized him, looking for some clue of deceit. But all she saw was determination and perhaps a little recklessness. "Why are you so anxious to help me?" she asked. "What's in it for you?"

Rylan shrugged. "Let's just say I have reasons of my own to want to see Seraphine fall. And besides, I've always been a sucker for lost causes."

Evie's lips quivered in what could have been a smile. "I'm not a lost cause."

"Good," Rylan said, the grin resurfacing. "Because I'd hate to invest my time in someone who's already lost hope."

The trees around them grew sparse as they moved through the woods, and the ground dipped down into an almost steep valley. Evie glimpsed a stationary flicker a distance away probably a campfire. She stiffened, reaching instinctively for her dagger.

"Easy," Rylan said, putting a hand on her arm. "That's our next stop."

"Our next stop?" Evie said again, her tone pinched.

"You guys didn't think we were going to walk all the way to the capital?" Rylan said, his tone light. "We're in desperate need of horses, supplies, and information. And I know exactly who can help us."

Evie's eyes narrowed. "Who are they?"

"All I'll say is that they're kind of... acquaintances," Rylan said, smiling wider. "Don't worry, I'll do the talking.

Evie wasn't so sure, but she didn't have a lot of options. Chick made sure to keep pace behind Rylan her senses screamed. As they walked closer to the campfire, she could see three forms seated around it a pair of men and one woman, all armed and wearing the coarse clothes of mercenaries.

"Rylan," one of the men said as they neared, standing up. "What brings you out here?"

"Business," Rylan said, as if in a casual tone. "This is Evie. She's with me."

The man's eyes moved to Evie, and she saw the instant he recognized her. He reached for his sword and the other two mercenaries stood up with wary looks.

"That's Evelyn Ashford," the man replied, his voice taut. "She's worth a fortune."

Rylan's grin didn't waver. "True. But she's also more valuable alive than dead. And you'll regret it if you try to take her."

The atmosphere was thick with tension, and Evie could feel the dark power inside her stirring, waiting to be released. But before it could get out of hand, the woman stepped up, holding her hands and palms open in a sign of peace.

"Easy, everybody," she said, her tone steady. "Rylan's right. We're not bounty hunters. "And if he says she's with him, then she's with him."

The man hesitated, before nodding, though his look remained suspicious. "Fine. But this had better be worth it.'"

Rylan slapped him on the back. "Trust me, it will be."

Sitting around the campfire, Evie listened to Rylan explain their plan. The mercenaries whose names were Garret, Lila, and Tomas were skeptical but agreed to help, especially once Rylan mentioned there could be rewards involved. Evie sat silent, her brain whirring. She still didn't fully trust Rylan, but for the first time since her resurrection, she believed she might have a fighting chance.

As the fire crackled and the night closed in, Evie couldn't shake the feeling: Was her redemption of Judy beginning or was some much darker monster coming to life?.