Chapter 10 – Kian
Chapter Ten
KIAN
“What has you looking so glum?” Alex asks.
We continue our brisk walk to the training arena, and I debate how much I want to share. My secrets keep me and others safe, and sharing them with him still feels wrong.
“Shadow stuff.”
Alex nudges me with his elbow. “You know you can talk to me, right?”
“Right.”
When I stay quiet, Alex grabs my arm and pulls me into a small alcove. “Then talk to me, Ki,” he demands.
I lean against the wall, crossing my arms and legs, trying to remain casual. “Has anyone ever told you you’re annoying?”
Alex smirks, showing off his straight white teeth, and mirrors my position. “It may have been mentioned before . . . but I’m not going to let this go.”
“Fuck it. Fine,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “I got word from Margot that there was trouble with one of my drops.”
Alex arches a brow, tilting his head. “What kind of trouble?”
“I can usually count on the people of Elsmont to distribute the goods after I drop them off. It would appear, however, that someone pilfered the supplies for himself and is now selling them to the highest bidder.”
“Shiiiiit,” Alex groans. “Let me guess, you need to go steal back the goods you already stole once?”
“Something like that.” I sigh.
“Is this the first time this has happened?” Alex asks.
“To this scale, yes. Some have taken more than their fair share, but trying to charge people for it? That’s a new low.”
“Does the king know?”
“If he did, we would’ve heard something or there would have been a public execution,” I say. “Father is quite put out that he hasn’t caught the Shadow yet and would take any opportunity for a win. So, no, I don’t believe he’s aware of it.”
Alex starts to pace, making the small alcove feel even more cramped. “So what’s the plan? When do we head out?” he asks.
There is no way in hells Alex is tagging along, but I can’t tell him that.
“I’m not sure yet,” I lie. “I have some more research to do on Kyros, and that takes precedence right now.” Only a partial lie . . .
“You’re not alone anymore,” Alex says. “It’s okay to accept help.”
“I’m good tonight. I’m overdue for a night off. All the balls these past few weeks have been exhausting.”
“Still haven’t found your choice of bride?”
Unwittingly, my mind goes back to her. It’s only been two weeks since the Astoria ball, and I haven’t seen her since. Lady Erika and Lady Chessa have been at all the balls I’ve attended, but not her. Is she all right? Why do I even care? She clearly moved on years ago, and so shall I.
“Not even close.” I sigh, straightening. “Come on. I need to punch something.”
“As long as it’s not me.” Alex chuckles, and we continue on our way to the arena.
Gods, I hope Alex will forgive me. Hopefully he won’t ask about it and I won’t have to lie to him . . . again. I’m a terrible friend. But this is for his own good, and I work better alone.
Margot’s note is practically burning a hole in my pocket. I wait until Phantom and I are safely off palace grounds before pulling it out and rereading the information. Antonio’s warehouse is on the outskirts of Elsmont, so my ride will be a short one.
He will regret his decisions. Stealing from the innocent to line his pockets sure was a choice.
After securing my mask, Phantom and I gallop off into the night. The wind is biting, and I crouch lower in my saddle. What I wouldn’t give for the warmer summer nights I had been complaining about just a few months ago.
All too soon, I spy my target. Phantom and I slow to a walk and I lead him into the nearby forest.
“That’s a good boy,” I say, rubbing Phantom’s muzzle affectionately, making sure his marking is still covered before feeding him an apple I had stashed in my pocket. “Listen for my signal, okay, boy?” He snorts at me, and I move to the saddle bags to grab my supplies.
I glance up to the sky—Luna’s moon is brighter than normal, which is not great for my mission. Almost as if she’s listening, clouds roll in and cover it. Thank you, Luna. I grin; the gods are on my side. Tonight is sure to go perfectly.
On swift, silent feet, I run the short distance to the warehouse. The buildings are more run down out here, and I’m reminded of the crown’s negligence. Not that my father would care to spend his coin to help them . . .
When I make it to the building, I hug the wall, doing my best to blend into the shadows.
Margot’s note says Antonio has a small living space on the upper level.
I just need to get in first. I scope out the building, and the only guards present are at the front.
Silently making my way to the main entrance, I pause before turning the corner and dip my hand into the pouch of sleep dust I recently acquired.
Putting guards to sleep is faster than knocking them out physically, and though admittedly less fun, I’m going for stealth tonight.
My hand full of dust, I casually turn the corner and blow it into their unsuspecting faces.
“What in the h—” one chokes out before slumping to the ground.
The other starts to pull his sword, but before it’s all the way out of its sheath, I sweep a foot behind his legs and he falls. I almost chuckle at the loud snore that comes out of his mouth as the sleep dust takes effect. Step one complete.
Feeling around for a key in their pockets, I grimace at the violation.
I really don’t enjoy this part. Thankfully, I find a key in Sleepy Guard Number Two’s pocket and oh-so-quietly fit it into the lock.
When the door swings wide into the dark open space, I pause.
Is this far too easy? Is this a trap? No. I’m just jittery.
The floor creaks beneath my boot, and I wince, pausing for any kind of reaction, but when none comes, I suck in a deep breath.
I almost wish I hadn’t when the stench of unwashed bodies, stale ale, and rotting fruit assails my nose.
My eyes finally adjust to the darkness, and I take in the open space.
Two large unlit wooden chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and barrels and boxes of supplies line the walls, but as far as I can tell, all is quiet and no one lies in wait.
I head for the narrow stairs that lead to the upper level.
When I make it to the small landing, I pause as a strange chill creeps down my spine.
Glancing down into the mostly empty warehouse space below, I check for movement.
Something isn’t right . . . Everything in my gut is telling me to turn and run, but I hate running from a fight, and I need to teach Antonio a lesson.
There’s a faint glow underneath one door. Before I can overthink it, I pull my sword and barge in.
Antonio rises from his seat at the table, the firelight flickering in his amber eyes. “So, you’ve come to exact your revenge? I was wondering when you’d show up.” He looks far too relaxed in his weaponless state as I stalk closer with my sword.
“You thought you could steal from the very people I aim to protect?”
My sword pokes his chest, but I don’t put enough pressure to cut.
He lifts his hands in mock surrender, refusing to back away as a laugh chortles out of him. “You’d kill an unarmed man?”
I flash him a smile. “Would you like to find out? Though you’re lucky it’s me and not the king who’s discovered your treachery. Were it him, you’d already be dead.”
Antonio relaxes his stance even further, raising a calculating brow. “Are you so certain, Shadow?”
The mockery does not go unnoticed, and his complete lack of fear gives me pause. What am I missing?
His eyes flicker behind me, and the subtle whoosh of a blade has me spinning away, leaping to put Antonio between me and my new opponent.
My blade pressed against his chest, I draw Antonio closer to me. “No sudden moves,” I growl at him and his accomplice, who’s standing right where I used to be. “Throw down your weapon, unless you’d prefer to see Antonio without a head.”
“Do what he says,” Antonio grits out.
The burly man throws down his sword with a clang and backs up a step.
“No sudden moves,” I remind him.
I pull Antonio with me and skirt around the man, leaving the room and making my way to the railing that overlooks the open warehouse. This is feeling more and more like a trap.
A sudden shout, and guards pour into the warehouse below. A few hold torches that light their faces in a menacing glow.
Shit shit shit.
Antonio chuckles. “Turns out the king cares more about catching you than me earning a little extra coin.”
“You’re a snake, Antonio,” I grit out before I smash the hilt of my blade into his temple and he crumples to the floor.
I turn, and Burly Man takes a step toward me, so I point my sword at him.
“You want to impale yourself? Be my guest.” He must have some brains because he stays put, to my relief; I really don’t want to kill anyone tonight.
The thundering of boots on the steps signals I’m almost out of time.
With a hop, I’m up on the railing, and before I can think too hard, I sheathe my sword and leap, grabbing onto one of the large wooden chandeliers.
My stomach almost jumps up into my throat as I swing across the room toward my exit.
The guards freeze, staring at me in shock as I let go and barrel into them and they go down in a heap.
My ankle twinges as I land on it wrong, but I keep moving, dashing toward my exit.
I pull up short as Burly Man from before blocks my way with his sword. Damn, he got down here fast.
He has me on size alone, but I’m stronger than I look, and equally fast .
. . when my ankle isn’t twisted. I draw my sword, trying my best not to reveal my weakness as I fend off Burly Man’s attacks.
Before I know it, I’m back in the center of the room and the guards I knocked down are recovering.
As much as I’d love to show off my impressive sword skills, survival is more important.
These are my father’s men, and for all I know, they have orders to kill me and forgo the questions.
“Hey, big guy,” I yell out, hoping to distract him. To my utter shock, his brow crinkles in confusion, and he pauses. “Behind you!”
When he actually looks over his shoulder, I hold back my laugh as I use the time to sprint in the opposite direction. There’s got to be a rear exit somewhere. My ankle twinges again, and I almost stumble, but I keep running, the yelling and thudding of boots lighting a fire beneath my feet.
I can’t get caught. My people need me . . . my realm needs me. What was I thinking, trying to do this on my own? I should have realized this was a trap the minute I walked in so easily, but I can chide myself later. I still need to make it out of this alive.
Searing pain burns through my side, but I don’t have time to look. The clatter of a knife hitting the floor is my first indication, sticky wet blood running down my side is the next. Damn it. I don’t have much time.
Thank Luna there’s a window two feet away, and without second-guessing, I run into it shoulder first, gratified at the shattering glass as the window gives way.
I hit the ground and roll with an “oof.” Struggling for breath, a weak whistle leaves my lips before I stumble to my feet and run for the woods. Gods willing, Phantom heard me.
More glass shatters, followed by shouts, and I send up another prayer to Luna for help in my escape.
Thundering hooves send a rush of relief through me as Phantom breaks from the trees.
I barely manage to pull myself into the saddle, but we’re off.
An arrow whizzes past my ear, and Phantom and I race back into the woods, hoping the darkness and trees will slow their pursuit.
I reach a hand back and press into my wound, grimacing in pain.
I need to get this taken care of quickly before I bleed out.
Alex is going to give me so much shit for this.