The Rejected Link

Chapter 17: An ally or foe

I see nothing. I would have thought it was the demon watching me again but the familiar scent of oakwood wasn't in the air. I breathe a sigh of relief and continue my journey.

Getting through the trees as quickly as possible, I arrive at the market. The marketplace was alive with bedlam, I could feel a thrumming pulse that vibrated within me.

Scents hung in the air like static, blending with the heady aroma of charred incense and dried herbs. I pulled my hood down over my face, careful not to draw any attention.

Drawing attention in the magical market was like being put on spectacle, too many eyes watching for too many reasons. It was unsettling so I did my best to be unnoticed.

I kept my head down and my senses sharp, weaving through the sea of creatures that were present as if I belonged. The weight of my dagger hidden at my hip gave me solace but I hoped the need for it wouldn't arise.

“Hey, you there!” a merchant called, holding up a glowing red crystal “Spelled? Cursed, are you? This will fix it all. Breaks curses, binds fates. Yours for a steal!”

I glanced at the crystal in passing. “It’s not even useful,” I said under my breath, not bothering to stop. “Not interested.” The crystal was too hollow, a shell of a real crystal and the glow was coming from a crack on the stall where a light was placed in hiding.

How I could pick up on that was foreign to me.

The merchant hissed profanities at me under his breath, but I was already gone, slipping deeper into the maze of stalls. I wasn’t here to browse or feed my eyes. I had a mission.

My first goal: lunar’s veil— it was a rare herb that could amplify spells tied to the moon. If I was going to attempt this ritual, I needed an advantage from the moon goddess.

I spotted the stall most of the buyers frequented, each returning with satisfied looks on their faces, the stall was shabby, the top of it only covered with a frail dark garment.

Bundles of herbs hung from poles like strange talismans, swaying slightly in the breeze, wafting its aroma in a combined fashion. The vendor looked up as I approached, his hooded eyes meeting mine with disturbing precision.

“You are looking for something dangerous, if you are here” he said, his voice hoarse.

“I’m not afraid of danger,” I replied, refusing to be intimidated, putting up a brave front. “Do you have lunar’s veil?”

The old man tilted his head, studying me in a way that made the hair on the nape of my neck rise. Finally, he nodded, turning toward a small black box behind him. It was kept away from the other herbs in the stall. He shuffled to retrieve it, but just as his wrinkled fingers touched the lid, the atmosphere in the marketplace shifted.

A growl, low and menacing, rolled through the crowd like thunder.

I tensed, my hand instinctively moving to the helve of my dagger. A group of bounty hunters stormed the market, their presence interrupting the natural flow of chaos. They moved like the predators they were, each step purposeful, their eyes scanning for prey.

Their leader—a scarred werewolf whose pheromones reeked of dominance, demanding submission —barked orders. “Round up the debtors and runaways. No one leaves until we’re done.”

The vendor flinched, his hand trembling on the box. “You’d best go, girl,” he whispered. “They are vicious creatures.”

I straightened, feeling the heart's magic in my veins. “I don’t take kindly to threats. And I really need that herb” I said pressing on our earlier transaction.

I turned to see the werewolf’s eyes locked onto me, and a sadistic l smile spread across his face. “What do we have here? You're new! Someone out of place?”

I held his gaze, calculating. I couldn’t fight, but trying to defend myself would draw more attention than I wanted. Just as I was about to decide, fight or flight, a voice cut through the tension.

“Gentlemen, is all this necessary?”

I turned my head, and for a moment, everything seemed to still, a quiet breeze sweeping over the marketplace.

A man stepped forward, his movements swift and measured like this wasn't new to him. He was tall and lean, with sharp green eyes that glistened with an peculiar glint of mischief and confidence but there was an undercurrent of power in his tone. His dark coat swirled as he moved, giving him an air of effortless control.

“And who the hell are you?” the werewolf sneered.

The man smiled, completely unfazed. “Just someone who enjoys peace. Someone who doesn't appreciate unnecessary violence.” He stressed on the unnecessary “Surely we can all go about our business civilly without causing a scene?”

The werewolf’s eyes narrowed, his body coiled to attack. But the man didn’t flinch. If anything, he looked amazed.

“Careful,” the man said softly, a small smile grazing his lips. “I’d hate for things to get

…ugly.”

There was something in his tone—calm, laid back, almost playful, but laced with a quiet power. As I looked at him, there was a strange essence I could feel coming from the man. The werewolf faltered, his men easily outnumbering this strange man but something in the way he seemed too calm surely threw them off.

I could pick up the sound of his heartbeat becoming frantic as he continued to stare at him. After a tense moment, he spat on the ground, murmuring under his breath and motioned for his men to move on.

The stranger watched them go, then turned to me with a smile that was both charming and inquiring.

“Well, that was exhilarating, wasn’t it?” He said, smiling widely.

I stared at him, still on alert.“Thank you, but I didn't need your help.”

“It shows, if your dagger has anything to say about it” he said, his smile widening. How did he know? “But it was fun to intervene anyway.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Who are you?”

“Cassian,” he said, offering a small bow. “A warrior, only on occasion though, collector of stories, and occasional meddler in affairs that doesn't concern me. And you?”

I didn’t answer, but I relaxed in my stance. My danger radar wasn't going off anymore but I was still alert.

“Ah,” he said, straightening. “The enigmatic type. Fair enough. But you can't blame me for being curious. It's not often we get to meet our kind in packs.

“I can, actually,” I said, irritation evident in my voice, I chose to ignore the last comment, I didn't need any time wasted trying to figure out what he meant. I turned back to the vendor, but the old man was gone, his stall empty like it was never opened.

“Looks like he decided to skip town,” Cassian remarked, casually leaning against a pole. “Smart move, considering the company.” There was so much amusement in his voice.

I cursed under my breath. “Great. Just great.”

Cassian tilted his head, studying me. “You’re looking for something important.”

I ignored him and started walking, but he followed, his long strides easily keeping up with mine.

“Lunar’s veil, wasn’t it?” he said, as if the words were as obvious as day. “An interesting herb, don't you think?”

I stopped abruptly, his words throwing me off balance, I spun to face him. “Were you eavesdropping?”

He raised his brow at me, smiling widely as I finally paid him a mind. “Hard not to when someone as intriguing as yourself shows up in a place like this.”

“There’s nothing intriguing about me, leave me alone,” I snapped.

“I could,” he said, his voice dropping to something softer, the amusement making way for seriousness. “But I don’t think you should be wandering around here alone. Those prowling bounty hunters are sure to return.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I don't doubt it, your fierceness is surely a weapon of its own,” he said, his green eyes glinting. “But there’s no harm in a little company is there?”

I hesitated for a minute. Something about him set me on edge, but there was also…something else. An energy that pulled at me, it made the heart within me pulse gently.

“Fine,” I said finally. “But if you slow me down, I'm leaving you behind. And no funny business!”

Was I really about to trust a stranger in a place such as this? In all honesty, he may have just saved my life.

“Fair enough,” he said with a grin, lifting his hands in a show of surrender.

As we moved through the market, Cassian struck up conversation, his voice soft and easy. “So, lunar’s veil. Rare stuff, hard to find. Amplifies moon magic, doesn’t it?”

I didn’t respond. I didn't need to give off any information about my task at hand. He may not seem too dangerous but I wasn't going to let me guard down.

“Let me guess,” he continued, undiscouraged. “You’re working on a spell. Something big.”

“Why do you care?” I asked, glancing at him, the height difference making me look up. He was smiling down at me, his eyes growing soft. His hand came down to the small of my back, I went to object but only when he moved me to his other side did I realise there was a flock of frantic birds heading that direction.

“Curiosity,” he said simply, removing his hand. “And maybe I have an interest in adventurous people trying new things.”

I snorted, the edges of my lips lifting in a small smile. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“Not yet,” he said, his tone light and carefree. “But I’d love to.”

I paused. “Why?”

He met my gaze, and for a moment the playful glint in his eyes faded leaving a calm look in its wake. “Because you’re not like anyone I’ve ever met. And because I think you're fighting a battle no one else will understand, one you put on yourself.”

The words threw me off pressing in on my mind and I hated that they did. I turned away without sparing him a glance, pushing forward without another word.

Cassian followed in silence this time, only his footsteps and steady heartbeat heard. His presence an odd mix of comfort and unease.

When we reached another stall that looked of interest, he held my arm to stop me. “In case you ever need help—or just someone to talk to, call for me.” He handed me a small brown card with words written in a weird language.

I looked at it but didn’t take it.

“Think about it,” he said, slipping the card into the pocket of my cloak. I didn't object. “And take good care of yourself, Ruthni. We have to look out for each other, always remember that.”

My blood went cold “I never told you my name?”

He grinned. “We are of the same kind, it would be bad of me to not know.”

Before I could respond, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me with more questions than answers.