She’s Itunal. The revelation had hit him like a blow to the gut, though he kept his expression neutral. A rookie, sure, but Itunal all the same—a cog in the supernatural machine that hunted men like him. And here she was, leading him around like some clueless outsider. He forced himself to stay calm. Seth—he was Seth right now. No one knew Kain was hiding beneath the disguise.


    “Focus,” Doc’s steady voice murmured. “She doesn’t know who you are. As far as Haley’s concerned, you’re Seth—the harmless stranger she’s showing around. Play the part.”


    “Sure, play the part,” Belmont growled. “Until she gets a whiff of who you really are. Then what? You think a rookie’s going to hesitate when she figures it out? The Itunal don’t hand out second chances.”


    She won’t figure it out. Not yet. If she had any idea who I really was, she’d have tried to arrest me already. Rookie or not, the first thing they teach the Itunal is to follow the law. No hesitation.


    “Then she’s either clueless,” Doc reasoned, “or waiting for the right moment to strike. Which is it, Kain? How much of this is an act?”


    “You’re slipping,” Belmont muttered. “I can hear it in your tone. Don’t forget who you are. She’s not helping Seth—she’s helping the man she thinks you are. Which means it’s all a lie. You know that, right?”


    “I don’t need a lecture, Belmont,” he snapped internally. “I know it’s a lie. I just don’t know how deep it goes yet.”


    “Fine. So, what’s the play? You can’t keep following her around like this. If she’s part of the Itunal, someone’s bound to start asking questions. Rookie or not, she’s not the only one you have to worry about.”


    “I know that,” Kain replied, biting back his frustration. “I’m already working on it.”


    “Yeah?” Belmont snorted. “Care to enlighten us, oh fearless leader? Or are you just winging it again?”


    “I stay close. Let her think she’s in control. If she’s green enough, she won’t realize she’s being played. I’ll figure out why she’s here, what she knows. And when the time comes, I’ll decide if she’s a threat or not.”


    “And if she is?”


    “Then she’s one more mistake I’ll have to clean up.”


    “You’re such a charmer, Kain. Really. No wonder the Itunal can’t stop chasing you.”


    “Stay focused. If Haley’s bait, someone’s holding the line. Watch your back.”


    “I always do,” Kain thought, his expression hardening just enough to betray a sliver of his true self.


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