Free Dark Craving: A Watchers Novella by Veronica Wolff

it out in my mind dozens of times. Who knows, maybe I’ll manage to kill the old Viking, but it’s hard to imagine walking away from it alive. “As long as I do my part, do you swear she’ll live?”
    He stares at me a moment. The way he weighs my words tells me his answer will be honest. I might not trust that we have the same goals, but Carden is driven, ultimately, by the older ways, the righteous and noble. I believe his word, once given, is good. It’s just how he is.
    “Yes, pup,” he says finally. “You’ve my word.” He begins walking again, a pleasant strolling gait belying the fact that we were just casually discussing my likely demise. “Just get on with it, aye? Here’s the situation: if you don’t kill Dagursson soon, Freya will be forced to kill Drew. And if that happens, well, I’ll have no choice but to turn around and kill you, and that’d be a real pisser, eh? We’ll all be upset if it comes to that…. Well, just me, actually, as I’ll be the last one standing. Which means that after I kill you, I’ll have to slay the old Viking myself, and that’ll put me in a foul temper for certain.”
    I pick up my pace. “You could always just cut to the chase and kill me now—isn’t that what you vampires do?” I force a smile but my voice is steel.
    “Don’t tempt me.” He smiles, too. Our jousting is playful. Sort of. “You know I’m not as bloodthirsty as my vampire colleagues.”
    No need when you have Annelise to feed on.
    The thought churns my belly to acid. “As you say,” I manage. I quicken my step. I’ve got to get away from him before my fist cracking on his jaw turns from fantasy to reality.
    “Why the rush?” His hand seizes my shoulder, stopping me. “I’m feeling…avoided.” His words ooze that easy Carden charm, but I know him well enough to sense the threat rippling beneath.
    He knows something is up. Curiously, it seems he doesn’t know about Annelise and me. Which isn’t to say he doesn’t suspect something.
    I flinch away. “Not avoiding you at all.” I shoot a casual look in the direction of the dining hall. Annelise will be there already, maybe even waiting for me. “I’m simply hungry.” Though it’s not food I crave.
    Carden sends a considering glance to the dining hall then back to me. “I’ll reckon our wee Drew is there, eating her brekkie.” He speaks casually, but I’ve learned his nonchalance is its own weapon. “Tell me, pup. Is she worth the trouble?”
    Always. My desire to see her surges at the thought. She is always ever worth it.
    But I only shrug, keeping a careful handle on my own nonchalance. “Annelise?” I say offhandedly. “She’s no trouble. Why do you ask?”
    “Slaying Dagursson is very nearly suicide.” He gives a considered shake to his head. “Which means you’re risking your hide to protect a girl who’s already bonded to another.” His quicksilver laugh is part humor, part reminder. “So either you’re a sucker for punishment or maybe just a sucker, eh?” His eyes narrow on me, seeking, probing. Does he suspect how deeply my true feelings run? “Listen, lad. I wish you no ill will. I’ve been around a long time. Long enough to know you need to seize what peace you can. This thing—you staying to fight on the Isle—it won’t bring your sister back. Drew isn’t Charlotte. You’ve got nothing to gain. Even now, you could be on Eilean Ban-Laoch , maybe having some sweet thing peel grapes for you, eh? Or paddling about in the surf as you do.” He gives me a friendly jostle. “Just do what you can to be happy. It’s something I’ve learned from our wee Drew. Why do you make it so hard for yourself? Pleasures are rare—it’s important to seize what you can. Freya would give you anything if she thought you were her creature through and through.”
    “You mean if I followed her every whim without question?” I shrug it off, this moment between Carden and me. “I work for Freya. I don’t worship