Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 88: Run. Run. RUN...

Chapter 88: Run. Run. RUN...

"Eve, MOVE!"

Evelina twisted, barely dodging a second strike, but she wasn’t fast enough to avoid the kick that followed. The impact hit her ribs like a battering ram, sending her skidding across the dirt.

Pain flared, but she forced herself to her feet. She couldn’t afford to stay down.

Her attackers didn’t speak. They simply advanced, moving in perfect synchrony.

One of them drew a curved dagger that shone in the faint light. Another moved in behind her, blocking her route of escape. The third one walked towards her in a predatory manner.

Evelina’s pulse roared.

They weren’t common thugs. These were warriors. Trained killers.

And they were here for her.

Evelina gasped for breath as she stepped back, her heart pounding in her chest. The assassins approached slowly, their eyes cold with unreadable expressions.

They aren’t just here to scare me.

That was for sure.

From the pose and the aura they were giving, their goal was clear: they wanted her dead.

She spun on her heels, making a desperate dash to escape, but one of them lunged the moment she moved.

Too fast.

His hand caught her wrist, jerking her violently backwards. The sudden force sent her stumbling, her boots scraping against the cobblestones. She twisted, trying to wrench free, but his grip was like iron.

"Where do you think you’re going?" His voice was deep, almost amused.

Before she could react, another one charged forward, slamming his shoulder into her and forcing her against the well. The rough stone pressed into her back, pain shooting up her spine.

Evelina gritted her teeth. Not good.

The third assassin approached, glancing between his comrades. "Throw her in," he said in an emotionless voice.

Her pulse spiked.

They’re going to drown me—!

She struggled violently, but the one pinning her down was too strong. His arm pressed against her throat, cutting off her air as he leaned in.

"Stop struggling," he murmured, "it’ll be easier."

Evelina’s fingertips scraped against the well’s edge, her nails digging into the rough stone. She was losing strength—

In a frantic attempt to hold on to whatever she can, her hand found one of the men, grabbing and holding on tightly—

And then—

A spark.

The moment her skin touched his, her vision twisted. The world snapped away.

She was no longer there.

Shadows swirled. Figures stood in a dimly lit alley, their faces obscured. A hooded man extended a vial of dark liquid to one of the assassins.

A raspy voice spoke. "Make sure it’s done right. It’s better you exceed the dosage than it’s not enough."

The assassin took the vial, tilting it slightly in the moonlight.

"Consider it done," he replied.

Evelina’s eyes flew open, her body jerking violently. She was back at the well, pinned down by the assassin.

But now—she knew.

Her gaze snapped up to the man holding her.

"You," she rasped, her voice hoarse from the pressure on her throat.

The assassin froze.

"You did it." Evelina’s voice shook with rage. "It was you who poisoned the well..."

The man’s grip faltered, his eyes widening in genuine shock. "How do you know that?" he demanded.

A sharp inhale passed through the other two assassins.

"She knows too much." One of them unsheathed a dagger, stepping forward. "Kill her. Now."

Evelina’s instincts screamed—MOVE!

"Come on, Evie!"

She twisted sharply, bringing up her knee and slamming it into the assassin’s groin with everything she had.

The man let out a choked gasp, his body doubling over as his grip on her throat weakened instantly.

"That’s right, you bastard. Enjoy the pain." Relia sneered in her head.

Not wasting a second, Evelina ripped herself free, gasping for breath as she turned toward the second assassin. With all her strength, she shoved him backwards.

His boots slipped against the uneven cobblestone pavement.

His arms flailed—

And then, with a sickening lurch, he stumbled over the edge of the well.

For a fleeting second, Evelina saw the sheer horror in his eyes as he tumbled backwards, his scream swallowed by the darkness below.

A sharp splash echoed from deep within.

"One down," Relia noted. "Two to go."

Evelina’s breath came in ragged gulps. Her pulse roared in her ears. But there was no time to think—no time to hesitate.

The third assassin, who had fallen after she kneed his partner, was getting back up, anger and a desire for revenge visible in his eyes.

"YOU—" he snarled, but Evelina was already running.

She turned on her heels and bolted, her boots pounding against the dirt path.

Run. Run. RUN.

Behind her, she could hear the assassin’s heavy footsteps giving chase.

"Damn it, Eve, he’s gaining!" Relia barked.

Faster. Faster.

Her lungs burned, her side throbbed from where she had been hit earlier, but she pushed forward.

She cut through a narrow alley, weaving through the darkened streets, but her pursuer was closing in.

"You better have a plan, because I’m fresh out of miracles." Relia muttered.

Her breath hitched. Too fast.

The buildings blurred around her—until suddenly, a strong hand grabbed her from the side.

Before she could react, she was yanked into the shadows. A warm palm clamped over her mouth.

Evelina froze.

"Uh—what the hell? Who is—"

A deep voice whispered in her ear, calm yet firm.

"Stay still. Don’t breathe."

Relia stilled instantly. "Okay... that’s new."

Evelina’s body went rigid as the assassin’s footsteps thundered past the alleyway, rushing straight ahead, completely unaware of where she had vanished.

The silence stretched.

Then, slowly, the hand over her mouth eased. Evelina whipped around, her heart still hammering.

Standing before her, barely visible in the dim alley, was a man.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed in dark clothing, his features partially shadowed.

But his eyes—

Striking. A deep, piercing blue.

He tilted his head slightly, regarding her with curiosity filling his eyes. "That was quite the escape."

"Okay, Eve," Relia hummed, "either thank him or punch him—because I have no idea what’s happening."

Evelina barely caught her breath before she asked, "Who are you?"

Relia’s voice sharpened. "I don’t like this. Knock him out before he tries something."

Evelina tensed, her fingers curling into fists. But before she could react—

A blur of movement.

A sharp pressure struck the side of her neck.

Her vision swam.

Her body went limp.

The last thing she saw was those piercing blue eyes watching her as darkness swallowed her whole.