Hunters and prey.


    My ck hair whipped in the wind as I rode across the ins, my lips parting in a fleeting smile. Far from home, trapped in a foreign body, my head constantly in danger, with no idea how to return or who I was supposed to save—I was terrified. That was the truth.


    But I came from a lineage of iron-willed men and women. I would not disgrace my family.


    I arrived at the inn after passing through a traveling market and left my horse in the stable. Stepping through the main entrance, I met the innkeeper’s astonished gaze and climbed the creaky stairs.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    I knocked on the door, but there was no answer.


    "It’s me," I called. I could feel his presence inside—he hadn’t run. He was following my orders, and I liked that. Was he still unable to get up? I reached for the handle, but before I could turn it, he unlocked it from the inside.


    As I examined the golden lettering, I pondered why Electra wanted to attend an auction. What was she after?


    "Is it because of that?"


    I stared at my reflection in the mirror, where cold, gleaming green eyes stared back at me. I pulled open my robe, revealing the nearly healed bruises on my neck. Electra also had dark secrets—a cer filled with elemental ves that I had to figure out how to free without raising suspicion.


    It seemed this witch was infertile, but no one knew. She was willing to do anything to get pregnant and bear offspring—the ultimate obsession of supernatural beings in this era. That’s why she had no qualms about drowning Drusi’s children out of pure envy.


    "Fine, I’ll go—but only because it benefits me," I murmured, heading to the wardrobe to pick a dark, discreet, andfortable outfit.


    I would attend the auction, but I had my own agenda. I neededponents to build the artifact I saw in the Book of Risorgimento. I prayed that it would work a miracle and allow me tomunicate with my family.


    "Is the horse saddled?" I asked the stablehand, eyeing the magnificent ck steed Electra rode.


    "Yes, mydy." The boy nodded.


    Hiding my excitement, I mounted. My dark leather trousers fit snugly, and the heavy hood draped over my shoulders.


    "Mydy! Why didn’t you inform me you were leaving? Saddle my horse at once!"


    "Don’t saddle anything. If I didn’t tell you, it’s because I don’t need you, Grimm. I think you’re overstepping your ce."


    I gripped the reins firmly, making the horse step forward. I halted beside him, and he stared at me, his dark eyes full of unreadable thoughts. I extended the riding crop and ced it under his chin, tilting his head up properly.


    "Be careful. Just because I don’t crush a slithering snake under my heel doesn’t mean I can’t—do you understand?" I warned.


    Electricity crackled from my fingertips, traveling through the crop until it met his skin, which reddened from the magical surge. Yet he endured it, lowering his gaze instead.


    "I understand perfectly, Lady Electra," he gritted out.


    "Hyah!"


    I spurred the horse and galloped away from that oppressive castle.


    I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath of the fresh forest air, listening to the rustling leaves, the birds, the distant sounds of life beyond the cursed walls I had just left behind.