Prologue

The black widow bled into the shadows. Her clothing wrapped around the deathly curved body, in the colour of midnight, allowed her to tame the darkness and blend with it. In streets like these, full of thieves and killers, it became natural for anyone to duck their heads and hide their faces. It was a gift to be ordinary in these dangerous times but this woman was far from ordinary.

Her eyes were lined with coal, glinting like emeralds, sharp and determinate. Her black hair was long and sleek, a stark contrast to her pale skin, the veins underneath shining in soft blue.

Many swore that she was a saint as she slipped along the shadows, her boots stained in mud with every step she took.

A fishers-man watched her disappear into one of the darker alleys, the houses lined with cobblestone, shutters closed, but the moment he blinked she was already gone.

The sun kissed the sky goodbye a long time ago, the twinkling stars shone lonely above, merely a firefly in contrast to the light that encased the widow.

Once she arrived at her destination, she got rid of the hood hiding her sharp features, waiting. It didn’t take long before she heard the thundering steps in the night, seconds before the man they obliged to stepped into view.

“Huh,” he murmured, his eyes raving over her, taking in her delicate body. “I didn’t think someone like you would get their fancy boots dirty.”

The widow’s eyes flickered to her boots before one of her black brows raised into a perfect arch.

“I didn’t think that you’d be able to dress properly, for an occasion like this.”

It was her time to take in his stance. The man towered over her for several feet, it was nothing unusual as the Sosye were naturally built like bears.

His shoulders were broad, his thighs thunderous and she knew he could choke someone with the sheer force of them. His black hair was in a long braid, golden strands woven into them, the strands only a Chief was allowed to wear. His skin was golden, the colour of Brazil nut, contrasting against the dark tone of his leather wear.

He seemed securely entrapped in his traditional uniform but who was she to tell, she never understood the delicate makings of their traditions and gods.

The man grunted incoherently at her choice of words. “Let’s get this over with before I change my mind.”

“You won’t,” her voice said steadily and before he could protest, she whipped out the smallest stone barely the size of her thumb nail. The man’s eyes focused intently on the red colour of the stone, his shoulders straightened with determination.

“What is it you want me to do?”

The widow laughed darkly, smug as she thought how easily it was to manipulate the Sosye. They truly were a barbaric folk.

“I want you to do what you’re known for doing best.” One brow raised on his tan forehead. The woman tilted her head to the side, noticing the obvious attractiveness of the man. She leaned forward, his gaze dipping down to her red-coloured lips for a moment. “I want you, to kill a witch.”

The woman leaned back again watching the delight glint in his eyes. “Consider it done.”

“So eager,” she said with a confident smile. “But are you sure you can kill her? It is barely adolescent.”

The man crossed his muscled arms in front of his imposing chest. “We don’t see them as anything mortal, they’re abominations.”

Now it was the widow’s turn to shiver in delight. She had come to the right source. “Well, then. I’d advise you to take a stroll in the morning and visit the river av Livet. You will know who she is.”

“She?”

“Her hair is the colour of snow, her eyes a pale green. Once she appears you will do what you have to do. Can I count on that?” The man’s eyes turned hard and cold. “You can.” His hand tried to grab for the stone but the woman was quicker. Her hands enclosed the stone like a dragon, honing its treasure, killing anyone for daring to come close to it. “Bring me her head and I will reward you.”

“Why do this? I know your heritage. You’re partly an abomination as much as she is.” A flicker of doubt shone in his voice. The woman expected this to come. Which was why she leaned forward again, her voice sharp and clean like the blade of a knife. “If you want to ensure that your Sosye, the humans, and they remain in their places you will kill her.”

Even the grumpy hunter looked disgruntled by her words. “Fine.”

“Then go. And don’t come back without her head.”