Chapter 25
S unlight filtered through the dusty window, rousing me from slumber. A part of me still clung to disbelief, but the unfamiliar surroundings and the delicious ache between my thighs confirmed that last night had been gloriously real.
Never had I imagined I'd find myself here, savoring memories of a night wrapped in strong arms until dawn.
I stretched languidly, reaching out across the soft sheets, only to find cold emptiness where Ryn's warmth should have been. The heavy quilt slipped down as I bolted upright, scanning the empty chamber. Silence reigned, no sounds of life from the washroom. My gaze fell to the floor, where Ryn's discarded clothing should have been. Nothing. Not a single trace of him remained.
Foolish girl , I berated myself. What did you expect? I'd allowed myself to believe in that spark between us, to imagine last night was more than a fleeting moment of passion. All the while, he'd been plotting his escape, waiting for my guard to drop.
I sprang from the bed, my bare feet slapping against the cold wooden floors. I snatched up my scattered clothing, yanking it on haphazardly. My hands flew to my pockets, fingers closing around the familiar shape of my dagger and the comforting weight of my coin purse.
Not a common thief after all , I thought with a bitter laugh. No, he'd claimed a far more precious prize - the heart I'd sworn to guard.
The clamor from the tavern below drifted up the stairs, a cacophony of morning revelry. My stomach churned at the thought of facing Jones and Evangeline. As far as they knew, I'd slipped away in the dead of night.
Again, my mind is brought right back to the scene of last night's passion. The way Ryn had commanded me, his touch dominating every inch of my body, coaxing tremors of pleasure that bordered on pain.
I cursed my own foolishness. How could I have believed he wanted anything more than a quick tumble? It was always the same with guards in taverns. I'd witnessed it countless times, deflected countless propositions.
Since losing Ma?l, I'd kept my heart under lock and key. No man could hold a candle to the light he'd brought into my life. Until Ryn.
He'd pursued me relentlessly, coaxing words from my reluctant lips. I'd found myself sharing fragments of my life, hanging on every morsel he offered in return.
His smile had been radiant, as if he'd swallowed the sun itself. If ever there was a sun blessed being, it was him.
I heaved a sigh, padding silently toward the window. Dawn was breaking, but shadows still clung to the corners, offering me a chance at a stealthy escape.
I didn't bother with my hair, no doubt a tangled mess. The shadows I summoned would hide that embarrassment, at least. But they could do nothing for the shame burning in my chest.
I eased the window open, slipping out into the cool morning air. Gratitude washed over me. Second floor. A manageable drop, unlike the dizzying heights of the upper rooms.
Hugging the buildings, I glided past unsuspecting townsfolk like a wraith. Occasionally, I'd drift close enough for them to feel the air shift, their heads whipping around in confusion. To them, I was nothing more than a trick of the light, indistinguishable from their own shadows.
A year of wandering had etched the path from manor to tavern into my memory. Another six months before I could navigate the reverse without getting lost.
Miles slipped away beneath my feet until, finally, home loomed before me. Tall iron gates stood sentinel, a familiar welcome.
As I crossed the threshold, the morning's revelations began to loosen their stranglehold. I dismissed my shadows, drinking in the sight of ancient trees dotting the yard. Centuries-old giants, they towered over even the manor itself.
Vanya had once confided that these trees were why she'd chosen this place. A private forest with the conveniences of town nearby. I chuckled, recalling how my master's eyes had sparkled, her usual tough facade slipping. A woman wild enough to long for the forest, yet still covet her diamonds and silks.
Love . The voice exploded in my mind, frantic and desperate. My body thrummed with energy as I dropped into a crouch, hands flying to my temples. Where did you go? Why did you leave?
An onslaught of questions battered my mind. My throat constricted, pain lancing through me with each frenzied word.
Please, stop , I begged. In my mind's eye, I conjured a door, wide open to the voice. With all my might, I slammed it shut. Imaginary Ma?l appeared at my side, throwing his weight against the heavy wood until the lock clicked, silencing the intruder.
Who was that? Ma?l's voice was a whisper as I straightened, shaking off the lingering buzz.
I was hoping you could tell me , I replied, fighting back tears. But of course, figments of imagination rarely offer logical answers. Ma?l's presence faded, leaving me alone in the echoing chambers of my mind.
As I entered the manor, silence reigned, broken only by Cook's clamor in the kitchen.
Not ready to face the chatterbox, I made my way up the grand staircase, my fingers idly grazing the bannister.
"Well look what the cat dragged in," a voice purred from my left. Vanya emerged from the hallway opposite from where my room was. She halted before me, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Any hope I had of her not hearing about last night evaporated.
"Follow me." She spun on her heel, leading me down the hall she came from. We passed door after door. I wondered how many others were home, if they'd eavesdrop on my impending reprimand. I groaned inwardly. Last night, I'd messed up in more ways than one. While I did neutralize the target, I made a scene. I let my own personal vendetta get in the way of all my training. That fallout led me to drown my woes in a tankard of ale, and we all know how well that turned out.
Vanya led me past her room, to the double doors that stood at the end of the hall. Thick wooden doors, carved with intricate swirls and patterns. She pushed the door open, gesturing for me to enter. She closed them behind us with a soft click as we stood in her office.
"Sit." She directed me to a chair as she rounded the desk and sat in her oversized leather seat. The back came above her head as she placed her elbows on the desk, her head drooping into her hands to rub her temples.
"Do you recall the meaning of discreet?" She inquired.
"Is this a trick question?" I almost laughed, but the exasperated look on her face stopped me. I cleared my throat and looked down at my hands, twisting my fingers together nervously. "I didn't intend to attract attention."
"And yet you did. Tell me, what possessed you to be so reckless? You are a literal shadow, practically invisible in the cover of darkness."
Because she can't let things go, your honor. Gods, he's back and sassier than ever.
"Tyrian gave chase after we engaged him. I didn't mean to make a spectacle, but I very well couldn't just let him get away."
"No, and thankfully you didn't." She sat back, eyes assessing me like she was trying to solve a puzzle. "Why didn't you cloak yourself?"
Confusion flashed in my eyes. I'd engaged my powers during the mission. It was rare that I didn't. "I was hidden, the only thing anyone could've noticed was a shadow. And given the fact that everyone has one of those it's not like I would've stood out."
I recalled the entire ordeal, telling her how I saw Johan in the middle of the chase. Up until Tyrian met his end in the alley.
To her credit, she listened to every word, her face morphing from annoyance to understanding, her mouth pressed in a tight line.
"I received a report that someone saw you," she explained, "well who they believe you to be. I believe the exact words 'a short skinny male in all black'. Whatever you did with your," she waved her hand toward me, "power, someone was able to see you enough to tell the difference between a shadow and a person." She took some papers out from her desk as well as 2 pouches of coin. "Of course, there were plenty other accounts that Death's Wraith had struck again. As for the captain, I had planned to give you an update on my search for him when you returned, but it seems you preferred other…company."
I groaned, "I would have much preferred coming home."
She laughed, "I don't know, I heard he was pretty handsome, and you were smitten."
He was a handsome fellow, not near as ruggedly handsome as I am though.
I gawked at her. I could feel a blush creeping across my cheeks as I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Part of me wasn't surprised Vanya knew, but knowing Ma?l was aware of my night with Ryn made me feel…unfaithful. Embodiment of my imagination or not.
No one could compare to you, Ma?l. You were always the one I chose.
It's time to choose someone else Alora. The sassy tone now gone as he spoke softly to me. I want you to fall in love again and live the life you always dreamed of. Even if it's not with me. You have to let me go.
As long as I draw breath Ma?l, I could never let you go.
He sighed, his presence in my mind beginning to recede once again, you'll doom yourself Lor.
"I have eyes everywhere, as one of them you should be well aware of that." She clipped, bringing my attention back to our lovely debrief. "Anyway, dear old Johan was in town last night, as you noticed, but he's since departed. Lucky for you, I know where he's heading." She tossed both pouches towards me, landing in a soft thump on the wooden desk.
"I'm reassigning you to the capital. I have a contact there you can pose as their employee. They have a spare room above their shop where you can sleep. It's not what you're used to, but I think you'll be able to help them and find what you seek."
While becoming a professional assassin wasn't what I had always dreamed of, it's become my life, my identity. I put in a lot of effort these past years honing my skill, pushing my powers further, helping Vanya rid the area of the corrupted that flocked to this near lawless town. The guards never cared about the victims, but Vanya did. Her clients were happy to invest in her services to wipe another speck of dirt off the face of this world. Learning the backstory of our targets helped me release the guilt of murdering them, with Vanya's help, I became what I sought out to be. An angel delivering retribution, I was vengeance. "Is this your way of kicking me out of the guild?"
"Your home will always be here Lor, you're my protege after all." A reassuring smile brightened her face, "We both know your path is towards Johan. You're of more use at the capital, chasing him and sending me any intel you can dig up while you're there. And when you're done, I'd like nothing more than for you to return here and help me run the guild. As of today, I'm officially naming you my heir. Whether you come back or not," she stretched her arms in grandeur, "this is all yours. I hope you ensure our mission continues even when some poor soul manages to get a cheap shot off me."
I shook my head and returned her smile, "You know I will. Though I expect your ornery ass to be around for a long time. What does this friend of yours do exactly? Smuggler? It's your creepy diamond dealer isn't it?"
"Evander is not creepy!" She shrieked with delight, "Just lacks good people skills. No, you won't be working for him if that's what you're worried about. I'm sure you'll be thrilled."
I waited for her to grace me with the information I asked for, with a roll of her eyes she scribbled something on the paper before her before handing it over. They're detailed directions. A sly smile stretched across her face.
"You'll report to the bookshop in the square within a few days. Raven's ready for you in the stables, stay on the path heading South. It will take you straight to the capital and if you stay on it you'll find yourself in the center square. There's a big obnoxious statue of the king, there's no way you can miss it."
A bookshop! This was fitting of the dreams I had long ago. "What are these for?" I pointed at the pages she had given me.
"A plan B if you don't listen to me and stray off the path. Ensure you don't need them." She said sternly. "Now go fix that bird's nest you call hair and head out. I expect you to keep me updated, if you find you need anything let Augustus know or myself."
We both stood, clasping hands across the desk. Her eyes filled with pride as she gave me one final once over.
"Thank you." I felt tears threaten to emerge from my eyes. I didn't think leaving, even temporarily, would feel so hard. But this quickly became home, Vanya was like the mother I never got to know.
"Destiny only calls those courageous enough to stare her in the face. You, my dear, are one of the most valiant assassins to ever cross this threshold." With a final squeeze of her hand, she released mine. Standing tall, chin raised, "Hurry along, Augustus is expecting you in a few days and he's got an aversion for tardiness."
I nodded, my legs swiftly guiding me out of the room. I felt distant from my body as I cleaned up and donned fresh clothes and gathered my things. Looking at my bookshelf where I began collecting the books I always longed for, I grabbed my old favorite, the one I carried with me from the village. My eyes caught the blue leather of the history book gifted to me by that kind old man long ago. I never got around to reading it, history was never my favorite subject, opting for romances and tales of adventure. I picked it up and added it to my pack, maybe it will help while I'm in a place filled with Sunneva's history. Finding myself content, I left Logan a note on his door, promising to write once I arrived. As I headed towards the stables, I couldn't help but hold my head high. Johan may have gotten away from me, but I was ready for a hunt. He just didn't know he was the deer.