Another figure stepped out of the shadows, moving silently. Before the man could turn, before he could finish his sentence, a rock came down hard on his temple.
He dropped like a stone, hitting the ground face first.
Thalia stared at the newcomer, her tears still flowing freely.
He was maybe a year or two younger than the unconscious man at his feet, with dark hair that fell into his eyes and a face that would have been handsome if not for the calculating expression he wore. He stood there panting, laughing softly like he had just heard the funniest joke.
His dark brown eyes met hers and something cold slithered down her spine.
"You," he said slowly, running his hand through his hair as a grin spread across his face, "just made everything so much easier for me."
Footsteps approached
