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I doubt he’s a threat to me, but the shyly hopeful look on his face throws me off. It’s best for both of us if I get that idea out of his head right now.
    “I don’t think that’s a good idea…I’m going on a trip and I won’t be around for a while.” I cringe. I did not mean to say that. “You know, for training the bird and all. It’s just…a bad time.”
    “Alright, I understand.” Matt’s shoulders droop, but he recovers quickly. “Next time then?”
    “Yeah, definitely” I say, returning his smile. “I’ve gotta run, but I’ll see you around.”
    A few discreet trades and I’ve got some dried rabbit meat, a few ration bars, some cheese and an extra loaf of bread. It will have to do. The longer I’m here and the more stuff I get, the more people are watching me.
    The last stall I pass has a selection of knives displayed. I hadn’t thought much about weapons, but it couldn’t hurt to have a couple extra. Knives are good, they’re easy to use and there’s no risk of them locking up like some of the more techie stuff out there like jolt guns.
    I study the selection and run my fingers over a few. A longer one catches my eye and I pick it up, testing the weight and grip. This one will work. When I look up to ask the seller how much, my eyes land on an old-fashioned rifle hanging on the back edge of the stall. That would be even better.
    I wave the seller over and he slithers across to me. “What do you want for it?” I hold up the knife and use it to point at the rifle.
    “The knife?” His eyes dart from me to the gun.
    “And the rifle.”
    The seller looks at something to my right and pales. “Not for sale.”
    My body goes rigid when someone steps up behind me, not touching me but close enough to send my heart racing.
    “Now, Jax, you know guns are reserved for guards and hunters only, neither of which you are.” The voice is familiar. Flint may be Dane’s son, but Daniel is his lackey. His breath on the back of my neck sends warning signals tingling through my limbs. Fight. Run. No, breathe.
    My chest expands with a deep breath and I step away from Daniel, turning to face him. “Back off.”
    Daniel smiles, but it doesn’t wash away the cruelty in his eyes. He takes one step back with his hands up and his smile morphs into a mocking grin. “Sorry, forgot you were a bit touchy.”
    The heat of anger starts trickling in to chase away the icy fear and my limbs and tongue unfreeze. “Jace is a hunter. The rifle is for him. Early birthday present.” My words are still choppy and short, but the more deep even breaths I take, the easier it gets. “I am allowed to buy a gift for my brother, right? You know the hunter ?”
    “Sure,” says Daniel. “You would be, except everyone knows your brother doesn’t use guns. He’s too fond of those throwing knives of his. Why don’t you just pick him out a set of pretty little knives and leave the guns to the real men?” He steps forward again and I instinctively take a step back, running into the edge of the counter. “I’m sure there’s something here he’d like… how about this one?” Daniel reaches around my left side and his arm brushes against the side of my breast.
    My right hand comes up clenching the knife from the table, my knuckles white. I jam the point up into the soft spot underneath Daniel’s chin, pushing hard enough to get his attention, but not drawing blood. Yet. Air hisses in and out of my nostrils as I struggle to control my quaking limbs and my urge to just ram the knife in a little further and be done with it. Not a good idea. I am not a killer. Well, I am, but Daniel’s just being an asshole, not really trying to hurt me. Right?
    The knife bobs with Daniel’s throat as he swallows, bringing me back from my internal argument. “I. Said. Back. Off!” The volume rises with each word I squeeze past my gritted teeth.
    Daniel jumps back. The movement flicks the switch in my head to fight and I lunge forward,