Page 66 of Hellbound

On either side of the thick band were tiny loops: one was empty, the other sported a dazzling yellow-topaz earring.

Ksenia delicately unclasped the earring and deposited it into her tunic pocket.

18

Present Day.

“I forgot to mention at the beginning of the competition: The winner of each trial receives a clue for the next.” Bohdan produced three small packages, depositing one in each of their open hands.

Ksenia avoided his touch as the packages exchanged owners.

As she tucked her winnings into the rucksack, she felt the glowering stares of all others in the room.

As if she weren’t already public enemy number one.

“With that, you’re dismissed. Return here in one week for the second trial.” Bohdan straightened a bit of parchment at the desk.

Pavel and Vuk left immediately, the camaraderie they’d all shared short-lived. She had planned to sneak through the dungeons after this; the knowledge that Danika might be in Hearth’s vicinity had been all she could think about aside from the competition. But her mouth went dry when the eyes of the remaining competitors in the room settled on her. Tivan’s gaze in particular was boring through her skull.

“Senka.”

Tension snapped through her spine, and she cursed herself for showing weakness as she turned to face the captain.

His scent was cool and crisp, much like his voice. “Congratulations. You’ve survived another round.”

The remaining competitors looked disdainfully at the pair and wisely chose to excuse themselves rather than draw suspicion by waiting.

She would have an unwelcome entourage wherever she went next, and she wondered whether she would even make it back to the manor in one piece. Her immediate options for safety narrowed, and she glared at the man who now held her captive.

Curls fell forward against his forehead as he looked down on her, his gaze dropping a scintilla lower than usual.

“Is there something you need, Bohdan?” Ksenia’s foot tapped against the flagstone.

“It was an interesting counterfeit you made. However, I would’ve expected a closer match in the gold beveling around the gem. And you ended up choosing a rose-cut ruby for the stud. Why is that?”

Ksenia narrowed her eyes. What did he care about the earring now that the challenge was over?

“It was about being resourceful, not perfect. I can’t waste my energy on the minutiae,” she said in a dismissive tone.

“Can jewelry be bonded?” This question again. Ksenia opened her mouth in retort and stopped.

Ensnared between his fingers was the counterfeit earring.

Shit.

A low but telltale resonant chime filled her mind. Unlike weapons, this one was muted.

“Is the trialmaster supposed to extend this much undivided attention to select participants?” She tilted her head. “As I said at dinner last week: I wouldn’t know. Because I’m not a bondsmith.”

His brow furrowed thoughtfully, and he canted his head. “Right. You’re not a bondsmith. But I know one who could use their senses to find out.”

“You don’t believe me.” Her words hung resolutely between them.

A vein in his neck flexed subtly as he rolled his shoulders, and Ksenia fought back the visions of his bare skin once more.

“You’re right, I don’t.” His eyes took on a deadly sheen.

Her mind pieced together a reckless plan.