Ste turned her head and froze. Slithering toward her was a snake, its scales gleaming with vivid colors in the moonlight.


    It was about as thick as her forearm, tongue flickering out in quick, red darts. She didn''t know exactly what kind of snake it was, but the garish pattern on its body told her everything she needed to know-it was dangerously venomous.


    A shiver crept over her scalp. Truth be told, there was nothing she feared more than snakes.


    Of course, the woods were crawling with them.


    The snake, sensing her presence, coiled itself tightly, ready to strike at any moment.


    Ste''s grip tightened around the knife she carried-a gift from Joshua not long ago. Compact, lightweight, perfect for self-defense.


    She kept her eyes locked on the snake, every muscle tensed.


    The serpent glided a little closer, closing the gap until it was near enough to strike.


    Ste braced herself, watching it advance.


    Suddenly, she lunged, shing out with the de.


    The knife cut straight through-the snake''s head flew to one side, its body copsing in silence.


    A foul, metallic scent filled the air. Ste gagged, her stomach heaving. The stench was overwhelming.


    Just then, in the quiet of the night, she heard something moving in the darkness.


    Forgetting her nausea, Ste looked up, alert.


    From the shadows, a tall, familiar figure emerged.


    Relief swept through her as she recognized Joshua. Every nerve in her body


    uncoiled at once, and she nearly slumped with exhaustion.


    "Joshua," she breathed, "how did you find me out here?"


    He looked at her pale face and answered, "Rain leaves traces on the trail. I followed them."


    Ste''s anxiety spiked. "You mean I left footprints?"<fnc2d7> Chapters first released on fι?dnοvel</fnc2d7>


    Would those assassins be able to track her the same way?


    Joshua shook his head. “No footprints, just traces-broken branches, disturbed leaves. The


    ground here''s covered in Thene


    Only then did Ste allow herself a small breath of relief.


    She nced at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You really know how to track people?"


    Joshua gave his usual reply, "Just a bit.”


    Always just a bit.


    Ste was about to tease him when she suddenly went rigid.


    A sharp sting and a strange tingling sensation shot up her calf.


    She jerked her head down and saw a


    She no thicker than ne


    thumb coiled tightly around her leg.  s


    Joshua caught the movement and his expression changed in an instant.


    He reacted without hesitation,


    seizing the snake just behind its jaw and yanking it free. His fingers


    tightened, and with a quick, brutal squeeze he crushed the life out of before tossing it aside.  s


    He knelt down to inspect her injury.


    Ste''s jeans were torn at the calf, revealing two small punctures in her skin. Joshua pushed up the fabric for a better look, his eyes darkening with rm.


    In just those few moments, the wound had already turned a sickly ck.


    This snake''s venom was potent. Ste''s vision blurred, a ringing sound filling her


    ears.


    They weren''t here to explore there was no medical kit, no antibiotics, no way to get to safety in time.


    A cold dread settled over her. Was she going to die here, in the middle of nowhere?


    She nced at the spreading darkness creeping up her leg, then tightened her hold on thebat knife.


    If she cut away the poisoned flesh, maybe just maybe she could slow the venom down.