Chapter 1 #2
He clenched his teeth as memories surged.
But as always, he tamped them down with raw determination.
His past would never rule him. He refused to be anchored by that weight.
“I’ve seen the horrors of what happens to those without protectors.
I’m only a predator to those who can fight back with equal skill or better.
Trust me or don’t. Makes no never mind to me.
But if you sleep in the streets here, the Watch will take you, and your outcome won’t be favorable. ”
Gisela didn’t know why she believed those words. Trust was as alien to her as love or kindness. She didn’t believe in either of those concepts.
At all.
She had no reason to trust him. Yes, he’d saved her, but that meant nothing in the world. She lived in Meara’s court where hypocrisy reigned supreme. A favor always required a favor in turn, and then the one you helped would turn on you for no reason whatsoever.
The only thing she trusted in this life was that someone would be at her throat at any moment. And often for no reason whatsoever.
Don’t do it.
But where else was there to bed down? The stable wouldn’t be safe. Anyone could come or go there—and often did. She’d gone to all five inns in this place, and all had refused to rent a room “to the likes of her.”
Tomorrow, she’d need to go to Oath Island to begin her search for the ataswere. That would require a clear head, which meant a good night’s sleep.
But how could she sleep in a room with this man?
You’ve done worse.
True. And it would be nice to sleep in a bed after being on the road this last week, sleeping in the damp brush while trying to stay alert for fear of being attacked. Really, she wanted a safe, comfortable place for the night.
Fine then. She’d keep her guard up and make sure he kept his word.
“Very well. Thank you. For everything you’ve done.”
He inclined his head to her, then held his hand out to indicate the first inn she’d visited. The Violet Horse. Another peculiar name, but who was she to criticize?
Grateful for his unexpected kindness, she headed toward it.
He fell in beside her as if he knew she didn’t like anyone at her back. Or maybe he did it to put her at ease. She noted that he also kept his arms crossed over his chest, away from his weapons.
But the most obvious telltale sign was the deliberate way he strode. Or actually, swaggered would be the most apropos description. His was a true warrior’s lope. Smooth, steady and sexier than she wanted it to be. This was a man who was comfortable with himself and his place in the world.
One who craved a good fight and had no fear of losing.
There was also an air of refinement that clung to him.
One that said he’d spent as much time at court as she had.
Something at odds with his commanding warrior presence.
Most warriors only came to court when summoned and left as soon as they could.
Because of all the backbiting and hypocrisy, they usually avoided it at all costs.
Yet she’d been around enough courtiers to note that he held that same regal training as any nobleman.
Something proven when they reached the inn and he actually opened the door for her and let her enter first. He’d definitely had formal etiquette training.
As they crossed the nearly empty tavern room and headed for the stairs, a sharp voice called out to them.
“Oi! What are you about there?”
Her companion stopped to look at the ogre she assumed owned the place. “Heading to my room.”
“We don’t take her kind here. She needs to leave immediately.”
A lethal aura descended over him. One she couldn’t even begin to name. There really wasn’t anything more than a very subtle steeling of his body and expression, yet it was unmistakable.
And terrifying.
The innkeeper audibly swallowed. “I…um…I mean we don’t normally take her kind. But for you, my lord… Just keep her out of sight of the other guests, my lord…p-p-please.”
Without a word, he gently took her elbow and escorted her to the stairs.
“Why is everyone so afraid of you?” she asked.
One tiny twitch of his lips let her know that question amused him. “I’m a scary being. Didn’t you notice?”
She would definitely agree. “It’s not that. There’s something about you they know that I feel like I should, too.”
He arched a brow to challenge her statement.
“I mean, you are scary. But their reactions are something more. Who are you? Really?”
“Tonight, I’m your roommate. That’s all you need to know.” He paused at the second door on the left and opened it.
Gisela went inside, then paused. The bed was giant, or should she say ogre and troll sized and filled with pillows. But that wasn’t what concerned her.
There was another occupant swathed in a black hooded cloak that held heavy gold embroidery she assumed were alchemy symbols. One she’d almost run straight into.
Two armor clad arms came out from the folds of his cloak to lower his hood.
Her first thought was he came from Tenmaru—the kingdom to the north that was inhabited by yokai, tengu and oni.
But he had elfin ears. The Tenmaru had horns, or other attributes that distinguished them from humans, fey and elves.
But the one thing none of them had, to her knowledge, was pointed ears.
Then again, his armor was definitely that of the Tenmaru army, and so were his features. His dark, deep-set eyes were absolutely captivating and set in a face as perfect as her unknown companion’s.
“Are you here to see the roji no akuma?” he asked her in a deeply accented tone.
She scowled at his question. “I don’t understand that term.”
“Alley demon,” Xaydin said from behind her as he closed the door.
He inclined his head to the so-called demon she’d almost ran into. “Masakage…hustling fortunes in my room? Will your insults never cease?”
He laughed. “Pays for my alcohol, X. But no. I came to see you and was surprised to find a woman entering upon my arrival.”
Gisela was even more concerned.
Her companion, X, cocked his head to see the bedroll on the floor behind Masakage. “Are you looking for a place to sleep since they don’t take your kind, either?”
Masakage waved his hand and a long, twisted walking stick appeared in his grasp. One that held a large crystal at the top. The crystal began to glow, bathing the room with a beautiful blue light.
Only then was Gisela able to see that he’d set up a nice spot in the corner of X’s room. One complete with a teapot, cup and a small bowl of food.
With a graceful sweep of his hand, Masakage gestured toward his makeshift space. “I didn’t think you’d mind, brother. Had I known you weren’t alone…”
They both stared at her curiously.
“I’ll find another place to sleep.” She took a step back.
“No one will harm you here, my lady.” Masakage offered her a smile.
“He means what he says. Inshū dictates that he will care for and protect you so long as you’re under his watch. You’re safer here with him than you’d be in your mother’s arms.”
Not her mother’s, but she understood the sentiment. Gisela glanced suspiciously toward X. “Inshū?”
X doffed his cloak. “Tenmarun hospitality law. Stay…we will protect you with our lives.”
Gisela arched a brow…there was just one problem. “You’re not Tenmarun.”
Again, he glanced to Masakage. “He’s set up camp in my room. If I interfere with his rules, he’s honor bound to cut my throat. Not that I’d ever give him reason to.”
Her instincts said to avoid them both at all costs. That she should also be on high alert around Masakage, but for some reason she felt more comfortable with them than she should.
And even more comfortable with the man named X and that made no sense whatsoever.
She grimaced. “I think the two of you would prefer for me to leave.”
“Doesn’t bother me in the least.” X draped his cloak over a chair before he spoke to Masakage. “I encountered her in the pub.”
Masakage arched a brow over that. “Encountered?”
X shoved playfully at him. “Get your mind from the gutter you call home. I saved her from a troll.”
Masakage passed a stern frown at Gisela. “The fact you bothered to speak to her at all amazes me. That’s not like you.”
“I’m mellowing with age.” X pulled a bedroll from his gear and placed it on the floor next to the pallet Masakage had made.
Masakage turned his attention to her. “Are you joining us in the room or leaving?”
Don’t trust them.
Don’t do it.
They were strangers. Never in her life had anyone ever protected her. Yet she didn’t sense any treachery from either man.
If anything, they were oddly sincere, which was the most alien of all concepts.
Masakage reached into the black velvet pouch on his belt.
Taking out a small coin, he studied it. “You’re on a dangerous journey.
And your past is one of deep sadness and hurt.
It’s not your nature to trust anyone. Given what I see, I understand.
But you are going to have to make an awful decision soon that will either change your future for the better or relegate you to the darkness that birthed you. ”
He handed her the coin. “Again, you’re welcome to join us for the night. Had either of us wanted to harm you, we’d already have done so.”
“And as I said, his culture doesn’t allow him to harm you unless you give him reason to. If he doesn’t abide by the rules of Inshū, his gods will punish him. Personally, I think the gods punish us anyway and for no reason whatsoever, but I don’t have his faith.”
While X spoke, Gisela looked at the strange silver coin.
She’d never seen anything like it. There were six swords on one side and a strange emblem on the other that looked like the image of an oni.
Swollen jowls with tusks on a face that seemed to be judging her.
“Are you a fortune teller?” she asked Masakage.
“I am many things.” He tapped the staff against the ground, and the light went out.
Without another word, he returned to his pallet.