Heartless Hunter
by Kristen Ciccarelli
Contents
Twenty-Five. Rune
Overview
Rune secretly slips onto Oakhaven’s grounds to create the illusion Rune has been at the Creeds’ masked ball all night, despite being wounded from Laila’s shot at the mine. Alex confronts Rune, treats the injury, and learns Gideon deliberately set Rune up—raising the risk that Gideon now suspects Rune’s identity. Rune copies the palace-prison map needed to rescue Seraphine, while Alex reveals plans to leave the country for good and urges Rune to escape with him, forcing Rune to face Rune’s self-blame and refusal of “happy endings” before Verity interrupts.
Summary
Rune reaches Oakhaven Park, Octavia Creed’s estate, by riding Lady into the surrounding forest to avoid patrols. Shivering and soaked, Rune changes into her masked-ball clothes, checks Laila’s gunshot graze, bandages it, hides it under gloves, and sends Lady home so no one can trace Rune’s arrival. Rune plans to slip into the party unnoticed so it seems Rune has been there all evening.
Near the gardens, Rune overhears Alex talking about selling Thornwood Hall, then approaches a bonfire where Alex, Noah Creed, and Bart Wentholt are gathered. Noah questions whether Rune has just arrived, but Alex covers for Rune by putting his coat over Rune’s shoulders and insisting they go inside, his private anger signaling he knows something is wrong.
Alex pulls Rune down an empty corridor and demands to know where Rune has been. Rune, worried about the corrupting pull of “bad magic,” asks Alex to tell Verity if Rune starts acting cruelly for pleasure. Alex takes Rune into a library-like office where a map of the palace prison hangs above the fireplace—exactly what Rune needs to plan Seraphine’s rescue.
Seeing blood seeping through Rune’s glove, Alex removes it and discovers the bandage. Rune admits Laila shot at Rune at the old Seldom mine and that Gideon set Rune up, meaning Gideon likely suspects Rune now. Rune burns the bloody gloves in the fire to destroy evidence while Alex re-bandages the wound, then Rune asks for an alibi: to claim Rune arrived at the party with Alex.
While Rune traces the prison map onto separate sheets, Alex renews an earlier bargain: Alex will help rescue Seraphine if Rune goes with Alex to Caelis for a month, not merely two weeks. Alex presses Rune to imagine life after the rescues—freedom from hiding and hatred—and Rune realizes Alex is not planning a temporary trip but leaving forever and wants Rune to come permanently. Tempted by the safety and culture Alex describes, Rune refuses, calling it a fantasy and insisting others still need saving; their argument escalates until Rune admits deep guilt for betraying Rune’s grandmother Kestrel and watching her die, believing Rune deserves punishment. Alex insists Kestrel wanted Rune to live and tries to make Rune accept that Rune deserves care and safety, but Verity bursts in, interrupting them and immediately noticing Rune’s injured arm.
Who Appears
- Rune WintersWounded fugitive; infiltrates the masked ball, copies the prison map, and rejects Alex’s escape plan.
- AlexRune’s ally; covers for Rune, re-bandages Rune’s arm, and urges Rune to leave for Caelis permanently.
- VerityFriend who interrupts Alex and Rune’s confrontation and notices Rune’s injured arm.
- LailaHunter who shot at Rune at the mine, leaving Rune with a bleeding graze.
- Gideon SharpeMentioned as having set Rune up at the mine, increasing suspicion around Rune.
- Noah CreedMasked party guest at the bonfire; questions Rune’s late appearance.
- Bart WentholtParty guest; briefly present at the bonfire and later annoys Verity.
- Seraphine OakesImprisoned witch Rune is trying to rescue; Rune traces the prison map to reach Seraphine.
- Kestrel WintersRune’s deceased grandmother; Rune confesses guilt about betraying her during the purge.
- Octavia CreedOwner of Oakhaven; her office and records room contains the prison map Rune copies.