Her eyes flare. “Easy? There’s nothing easy about the hunt.” I pause. “The hunt?” “That’s what they do,” she explains. “The King sets the four of you loose in the forest behind the crypt, and the Barons hunt you. It’s not just the Baroness’ initiation. It’s the Barons’, too.” “They hunt you?” I ask, horrified. “Like an animal?” For some reason, this makes her laugh. “It’s a test, Princess. A Baron and his sinister sister have to be invisible. Silent. Ruthless. If a Baron catches the Baroness, that means he’s good at hiding, following, adapting to the shadows.” “And if he doesn’t?” Her head
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