The night air was crisp and heavy with tension as Emilia, Lucas, and Edward slipped out of the cottage, their eyes scanning the darkness. Marcus's note lingered in Emilia's mind like a bad omen: _Trust no one._
"Looks clear," Lucas murmured, leading them toward the horses hidden in a thicket nearby.
Edward's gaze darted around nervously. "How do we know Marcus didn't set us up? He could've warned those men to draw us out."
Emilia frowned, her breath misting in the cold air. "But why help us escape if he wanted to turn us in? It doesn't add up."
Lucas's expression was thoughtful as he checked the horses' saddles. "Maybe he's playing a bigger game than we realize. Either way, we can't stay here. Ravenshire's our best bet for now."
They mounted quickly, guiding their horses through the dense forest, trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the cottage. The moon cast fragmented shadows on the ground, making the path treacherous.
As they rode, Emilia couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched. She glanced back repeatedly, but the darkness revealed nothing.
After an hour of steady riding, Lucas slowed his horse, his head cocked to one side. "Do you hear that?"
Emilia listened, her heart picking up pace. Faint hoofbeats echoed through the forest, growing louder.
"Riders," Edward whispered, his eyes wide.
Lucas's jaw clenched. "They're gaining on us. We need to move faster."
They urged their horses into a gallop, the forest whipping past in a blur. But the hoofbeats closed in, echoing off the trees like a relentless drumbeat.
Emilia's pulse thundered. Who were these pursuers? Crown soldiers, or something else?
Suddenly, Lucas veered off the path, leading them into a narrow ravine. The slope was steep, and the horses' hooves skidded on loose rocks.
"We'll lose them in the ravine," Lucas called back. "Hold on tight!"
The descent was chaotic, the ravine twisting like a snake through the forest. Emilia clenched her horse's mane, her stomach dropping with each jolt.
As they hit the bottom, Lucas signaled for them to stop. "Quiet. Let them pass."
The hoofbeats thundered overhead, the riders slowing as they reached the ravine's edge. For a heart-stopping moment, Emilia thought they'd been seen.
But the riders moved on, their voices fading into the distance.
Lucas let out a slow breath. "We need to get out of sight. Now."
Just as they began to move, a figure dropped from the shadows above, landing with a soft thud on the ravine floor.
Lucas's sword was out in an instant. "Identify yourself."
The figure straightened, moonlight illuminating familiar features—Isabella.
Emilia's eyes widened. "Izzy! What are you doing here?"
Isabella's gaze darted between them, her breathing ragged. "I followed you. I saw those men heading into the forest. I had to warn you."
Lucas's posture remained tense. "How did you find us?"
Isabella's expression turned sheepish. "I... might have slipped a tracker into your saddlebags back at the manor. I was worried something like this would happen."
Emilia's shock turned to frustration. "Izzy, that's dangerous! What if they'd found it?"
Isabella's eyes welled up. "I was trying to help. I knew you'd never let me come if you knew."
Edward stepped forward, his voice soft. "Izzy, it's okay. We're glad you're safe. But you can't stay here. It's not safe."
Isabella squared her shoulders. "I'm not leaving. I can help. I know these woods, and I overheard something at the manor. The father has been acting strangely, meeting with crown officials in secret. I think he's involved in what's happening to Edward."
Emilia's mind reeled. Their father, working with the crown? It seemed impossible, but Isabella's words rang with urgency.
Lucas's gaze narrowed. "We need to get her to Ravenshire. Now."
As they began to move, a low whistle echoed through the ravine. Lucas's head snapped up.
"Ambush."
Figures emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by hoods. Lucas shoved Emilia behind him, sword drawn.
"We don't want to hurt you," a voice growled. "Just hand over Edward de Vere."
Edward stepped forward, his jaw clenched. "You'll have to go through me first."
The attackers closed in, their movements coordinated and deadly. Lucas pushed Emilia and Isabella toward the ravine wall. "Get up there. Now!"
Emilia's heart pounded as she helped Isabella scramble up the rocky slope. Edward and Lucas fought back-to-back, their swords flashing in the moonlight.
But the attackers were relentless. One of them broke through Lucas's defenses, charging at Edward.
"No!" Emilia shouted, her voice lost in the chaos.
Lucas spun, his sword slicing through the attacker's arm. But another figure emerged from the shadows, a glimmer of triumph on his face.
"Looking for you, Edward," he sneered.
Time slowed. The attacker lunged.
Edward spun, eyes wide...
And the world went black.