章節 21: Into the Shadows

Adélard's breath slowed, though his pulse still thudded in his ears. The alley was empty now, the sound of distant marketplace chatter just a faint hum in the background. He stood still for a moment, letting the quiet settle around him, the tension ebbing but not disappearing completely. The weight of Rourke's words still clung to him, the threat against his family heavy in his mind.

He exhaled softly, trying to shake off the unease, and turned to make his way back toward the market. He couldn't afford to lose time—Leon would be waiting, and he still had to finish up with Mr. Thorne before nightfall. Each step felt deliberate, the rhythm of the city around him returning to its normal beat.

But as he rounded the corner, something stopped him in his tracks.

It was a flicker—nothing more than a shadow, darting out of sight just as he turned. His instincts kicked in, the same ones he had honed from years of watching his surroundings, knowing when to stay quiet, when to move fast. He glanced back, his gaze scanning the street, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Just the familiar clamor of vendors setting up stalls, carts creaking as they rolled over the uneven cobblestones.

He took a breath, forcing himself to relax. Maybe it was just his nerves, strung tight after his conversation with Rourke. But as he moved forward, there it was again—a presence, lingering just on the edge of his awareness. Someone was following him.

Adélard didn't break his stride, his posture calm and unhurried, but his mind was racing. Who could it be? It wasn't Rourke's man—that much he was sure of. This was something else, someone new. And whoever it was, they were careful, shadowing him from a distance but never letting themselves be seen fully.

His heart pounded, but outwardly, he remained composed. He couldn't afford to draw attention to himself, not in the crowded marketplace where anyone could be watching. Instead, he adjusted his path, moving toward a quieter side street that led to the back alleys where fewer people passed through. If this person wanted to confront him, they'd have to do it away from prying eyes.

The narrow alley closed in around him as he moved deeper, his footsteps echoing softly against the walls. He turned a corner and stopped, pressing himself against the rough brick, his breath steady as he waited. The quiet felt heavier now, thick with anticipation.

A few seconds passed, and then, there it was—the soft scrape of a boot against the pavement. Whoever was following him was careful, but not careful enough. Adélard tensed, ready to move if he had to, but then the figure came into view, and his breath caught in his throat.

It wasn't one of Rourke's men. It was a girl, no older than him, with sharp, calculating eyes and a long coat that billowed slightly as she stepped forward. Her face was mostly hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat, but there was no mistaking the intensity in her gaze as it locked onto him.

"You're not as good at hiding as you think," she said, her voice low and calm, as though they were having an ordinary conversation. She stopped a few paces away, her hand resting casually at her side, though the way her fingers twitched made Adélard think she was ready for a fight.

Adélard narrowed his eyes, keeping his tone just as relaxed. "Who are you?"

The girl tilted her head, studying him for a moment before speaking. "Someone who knows what you've gotten yourself into."

Adélard didn't respond right away, his mind racing through possibilities. She wasn't with Rourke—that much was clear. She moved differently, spoke differently. And yet, she knew something. Something about his situation.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said carefully, watching her reaction.

She smiled, but it was a thin, humorless smile. "You can play dumb all you want, but it won't change anything. I know about the shipment. I know about Rourke."

Adélard's heart skipped a beat. How could she know? His mind flashed to the warehouse, to Rourke's words, the threats that still hung over his head. He had been so careful—how could someone else be involved in this?

"Look, I don't know who you are or what you think you know," Adélard said, his voice hardening, "but I'm not looking for more trouble."

The girl took a step closer, her expression unchanging. "That's the problem, Adélard. Trouble's already found you."

His name, spoken so casually, sent a chill down his spine. She knew far more than he was comfortable with, and the tension that had been simmering now felt sharper, more immediate.

"What do you want?" he asked, his body tense, ready to react if he had to.

"I want the same thing you do," she said, her eyes locking onto his. "To bring Rourke down."

The statement hung between them, heavy and unexpected. Adélard frowned, unsure whether to believe her. Bringing Rourke down? It sounded impossible, reckless even. And yet, the determination in her eyes made him pause. She wasn't bluffing.

Before he could respond, she glanced over her shoulder, as if checking to see if they were being watched. Then she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping. "Meet me tonight. After the shipment. I'll explain everything. But if you want to protect your brother and mother—if you want out of this—you'll listen."

Adélard hesitated. Trusting a stranger wasn't exactly something he could afford right now, but the way she spoke, the certainty in her words… it was like she had already thought this through, like she knew something he didn't.

"How do I know this isn't a trap?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.

She met his gaze, unflinching. "Because if I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing here."

With that, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd before Adélard could respond. The weight of her words lingered in the air, settling into his mind as he stood there, trying to process what had just happened.

He had more questions now than answers, but one thing was clear: whatever was happening tonight, it was going to be bigger than he had anticipated. And this girl—whoever she was—was offering him a chance to change everything.

But could he trust her?

Adélard exhaled slowly, turning back toward the market. For now, he'd play along. He had no choice. But tonight, after the shipment, he would find out who she really was—and whether she was an ally, or just another threat waiting to tear his world apart.