Zane leaned against the tree, scarfing down the stolen meat like it was the finest meal in the world. Grease dripped onto his shirt. He didn't care.
"Definitely worth it," he mumbled between bites. "Maybe I should steal from academies more often—"
A sharp gust of wind tore through the underbrush. Zane's head snapped up.
Before he could even react, a golden blur shot through the trees, stopping just meters in front of him with a shockwave that rattled the leaves.
She stood there, golden eyes glowing faintly, hair rippling like it had caught the wind of her own arrival. It was the girl from the tent.
"You seriously thought you could run?" she asked, voice cool and cutting. "After that?"
Zane's mouth opened, still half-chewing his last bite. "Uhh... hi?"
Her expression didn't change. "Give it back."
He glanced at the half-eaten skewer in his hand. "You mean... this?"
She took a step forward
Zane blinked away just in time. He reappeared behind another tree a few dozen meters away, panting. "Okay, she's fast."
Before he could take another breath—
She was behind him again.
He twisted, eyes wide. "What are you?!"
"I'm one who doesn't like thieves."
Zane grinned nervously. "Well... that's unfortunate."