Chapter 34

Chapter

Thirty-Four

ALYX

P erched on the roof of a one-story home in the Lowers, I quietly seethe.

I tell myself that it’s because of the male I’ve been stalking for the last hour and the atrocities he’s about to commit, but all I can think about is how disgusted Joha looked when he hurled his accusations at me this morning.

Of course, that only made me madder—both at him and myself. It has consumed my thoughts. I hoped that a little hunting would help distract me, clearing my mind and letting me sink into the quiet stillness that’s required when taking out a target—one of which is striding through the streets below like he owns it.

This part of the Lowers is one of the nicer areas. Most of the houses have roofs and doors that close properly. However, it is still part of the Lowers, and as such, poverty and crime run rampant. I could sit in wait anywhere in this part of the city and witness some sort of crime happen.

In the Uppers, they have well-lit, clean streets, windows, and doors that lock, as well as guards on every street corner to keep the peace. The difference between the two is sickening, and after having stayed in the exquisite opulence of the palace, the city I grew up in seems more derelict than ever.

After my argument with Joha this morning, I feigned a headache and told my ladies-in-waiting that I needed to be alone, and then I promptly headed into the city. I needed space to clear my head before I did something stupid. I spent the rest of the day exploring the city, trying to pick up any information that would be helpful in my hunt for more answers.

Most of the talk on the streets is about Beaumont’s death and what happened to his family. No one seems to realise that only the man himself is dead, all believing that everyone perished. Everything went exactly as I planned, and no one suspects that I spared the innocent.

Why am I so mad that Joha instantly believed that about me? It is what I wanted the world to see, yet I suppose there is a part of me that thought Joha had started to get to know me in a way only one other person ever has.

This makes me irritated with myself though. I don’t let people close for a reason. I am everything he accused me of being—a murderer, an assassin, and a thief—and putting me in a pretty dress and calling me a princess was never going to change that. It is in my blood. He needs to realise that, taking the good with the bad.

If he thinks I’m evil, then I’m going to show him exactly how ruthless I can be. Many might go in the opposite direction and try to prove that they are not as bad as they were accused of being, but I am not like most. I am not a good person, and the quicker he realises that, the better for both of us.

My trail of bodies started a couple of hours ago. I’ve been watching the guards who prey on the weak and go out of their way to be cruel. The first death was quick and silent. Since then, though, I’ve been making it more interesting for myself, playing with my prey before killing them. They are all males who would have been hung had they not been in the guard, so really, I’m doing the king a favour.

This makes my other job difficult though. It has been quiet on the streets and the gossip front. The news of Beaumont has spread, and people are afraid. They know my patterns, and with the trail of bodies I’ve left behind, they know I’m back on the streets, so they are being more careful because of it. More guards are patrolling the area now, looking for the killer who took out five of their men. It makes things a little more challenging, and I have to be more careful, but that has never stopped me before.

I need to stop playing and try to get more information. First, though, I need to deal with the guard who just cornered a young woman in a dark, secluded alley below me.

I noticed the way he was watching young women and girls in the market when he was on patrol and have been following him for the last hour, my instincts telling me he’s going to act on whatever sick thoughts are twisting his mind. It seems my patience has paid off.

“Please, I have no money,” the woman tells the guard, her voice shaking as he backs her farther into the darkness, but she brandishes a small knife, trying to scare off her stalker. Good for her. I mean, the blade will be like a toothpick against a guy like him, but she’s brave.

She’ll need to be to survive the Lowers.

“It is not your money that I want.” The guard grins cruelly, his face lighting up with the prospect of what he’s about to do.

Having seen enough, I walk to the edge of the roof and drop down just behind him. My descent is nearly silent, and he doesn’t even know I’m there, the idiot. The girl does, though, and something flashes in her eyes as she calculates if I’m here to help or harm her.

Clucking my tongue, I shake my head slowly when the guard spins around in surprise. “Where do they find you guys?” I’m wearing a cloak and a covering over the bottom half of my face, but I make sure I’m standing in enough light so he can see the loathing in my eyes. “They really scraped the bottom of the barrel for you.”

Anger flashes across his face, and he balls his hands into fists, but he holds himself back. “You’re the one who’s been killing the guards.”

Brows raising, I tilt my head to one side. “Huh, you have more brains than I gave you credit for.”

“Now, now, don’t play with the street vermin,” a mocking voice sings out of the darkness. Crux’s familiar lilt washes over me like a wave.

His presence is comforting, but just like any ocean, he can turn deadly in a second. I knew he would find me eventually, considering I’ve not been subtle with my kills. Cocking my hip out, I glance over my shoulder at him and grin at the approval I see in his eyes.

“Oh, but they are so fun to chase.” I pout, pulling my scarf down so he can see my expression. It doesn’t matter if the guard sees me, as he’s already solidified his fate. Crux smiles, playing along, and shakes his head. Sighing as if I’m disappointed, I palm one of my daggers, making sure the guard is unable to see it. “Fine . . .” I extend the word.

Without looking away from Crux, I flick my hand out with a snap of my wrist, and the guard makes a gurgling noise that tells me I’ve hit my mark. The girl gasps at the sight of the knife now sticking from his neck, but she doesn’t scream. Good.

“Go, and don’t tell anyone about this.” I don’t need to threaten her because she knows I could track her down if I wanted to. She nods and runs past us without a word, escaping into the streets.

Pushing away from the wall, Crux slowly walks towards me, looking every inch a predator, and I’m his prey.

“You’ve had a busy evening.”

Of course he knows what I’ve been up to. He has spies everywhere. In fact, I am surprised that it took him until now to track me down. He’ll have his reasons for it, I am sure. I boldly meet his gaze. Just looking at him has my core clenching, remembering what happened the last time we were alone together. From the glimmer in his eyes, I know he’s also thinking about it. It would be so easy for me to push him against the wall and finish what we started the other night.

No. I’m on a mission, and I’ve wasted enough time today.

“I need more information on who is behind the attacks on the king.”

He looks at me in that way of his that tells me he’s able to see right into my soul, past my masks. All he would have to do is kiss me and my resolve would disappear, and he knows that. However, he also knows me better than I know myself and understands that I need to do this right now.

“Okay.” He gestures for me to follow him. “I know somewhere we can start, but you need to change.”

Stumbling along the street, I laugh drunkenly as I bump into someone walking in the opposite direction.

“Whoops. Sorry, sir,” I slur, pocketing several of his coins in the process. It’s as easy as breathing to me, and I know Crux is doing the same to the man’s companion. Old habits die hard.

I’m not just stealing to pay for my next drink, although that is a bonus, but to see if the king’s advisor, whom I just walked into, is carrying the newly minted coins. I don’t think we’re going to find any more. After all, only a fool would carry them around now that the main people involved have been killed. Even so, I’m looking for new leads, and this is something I can easily check.

Dressed as a man, I’m not given a second glance as we weave through the streets, nor does anyone notice as we turn around and follow the two men we just bumped into. Everyone ignores drunks. They are seen as a plague across the Lowers, getting in people’s way and causing damage when they get into fights. Because of this, pretending to be drunk has become something that I’m very good at.

While my acting skills are pretty solid, my disguise seals the effect. I put on fake bushy eyebrows and a beard, as well as inserts in my mouth to change the shape of my cheeks and jawline. I’ve learned to disguise myself since I was a child, so it comes naturally to me now, as well as changing the pitch of my voice.

The two we’re following are advisors to the king, and according to Crux, they enjoy frequenting the brothels in the Lowers. They weren’t hard to find, since their disguises are poor. Their clothes might be plain and covered by cloaks, but they are far too clean and well made for an area like this. Even the way they walk around like they have all the time in the world makes them stick out like sore thumbs. I bet they think they are so stealthy.

Crux and I follow them to their favourite brothel. Apparently, they frequent this one a couple of times a week, which is good for us. If they come here often, then they will be more relaxed and their tongues will be looser, so perhaps they’ll let something slip that will be useful.

We stay back, occasionally stopping to lean against a wall as though we’re trying to catch our balance. Once the advisors have entered the brothel, we wait a couple of minutes before following. The guard lets us straight in without asking for payment, instantly recognising Crux.

Something uncomfortable twinges inside me that feels suspiciously like jealousy. I want to bury the feeling deep down and focus on the task at hand, but I can’t help wondering why the guard recognises him. Is it because of his notoriety in the Lowers or because he frequents the brothel often?

I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

Once inside, it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, the red lamps giving the room a strange, mysterious feel. While I know of all the brothels in the city, I’ve not been to this one before. The room is surprisingly large. One wall is taken up by a long bar, where a barman makes drinks for his customers who are perched on stools. In the centre of the room are several lounge chairs and tables for customers to sit and enjoy the view with their drinks.

The remainder of the space is taken up with booths, over half of which are currently occupied. Most of the brothels in the city have setups like this. It’s cheaper than having rooms out back and safer for the girls if someone gets rough. Each booth has a wide, semicircular couch with a low table in the middle, and they are surrounded by thick red-velvet curtains that can be closed to offer privacy should you choose a woman to entertain you.

I spot our targets settled in a booth, talking to a giggling girl, as Crux and I make our way to the bar. We have not even sat down on our stools before we’re joined by a buxom woman with bright blonde, curly hair. The pink wisp of a dress she wears is sheer, showing that she’s not wearing anything beneath it.

“Your Majesty,” she coos, leaning against the bar in a seductive way that pushes her chest out. “We’ve not seen you here in a long time. May we please you and your friend?”

Clearly, she knows who he is from the title she gave him. He flashes her a quick glance before turning and ordering drinks for us. She doesn’t give up though, sticking with us as we get our drinks, winking and wiggling her body in a way I’m sure is designed to attract men.

It’s only after Crux has taken a long sip of his drink that he turns his full attention to her. “We want a booth close to those two.” He nods in the direction of the advisors.

Her eyes brighten with curiosity, and I spot an opportunity. “What do you know about them?” I ask, sliding a coin towards her.

She pockets it as soon as my hand lifts, the coin disappearing in the blink of an eye, then she shrugs in answer to my question. “Not much, to be honest. They are from the palace, although I don’t know what they do. They are into some kinky shit and always come here together, if you know what I mean.”

Now that is new information. Raising a brow, I glance at Crux. His face gives away nothing, but I know him well enough to know he’s cataloguing everything and probably already has a plan.

Returning my attention to her, I tilt my head to one side. “They are in a relationship?”

She shrugs again. “If you can call it that. They are poor tippers, so we only do the bare minimum with them, so we don’t hear much.” Pushing away from the bar, she takes my hand and pulls me from my stool. “Let me take you to a booth.”

Diamond, our new whore friend, leads us over to the booth on the left of the advisors, their curtains now closed. We don’t need to see them to get what we need, though, and curtains aren’t good at blocking out sound.

“Come back in fifteen minutes,” Crux orders, tossing a coin her way.

Once again, the coin disappears in a flash, and she leaves us in peace. Settling against the seats, we make ourselves look comfortable, sipping our drinks while listening to the conversation happening in the booth next to us.

We don’t hear anything interesting because the advisors are too busy with each other and their whore. The noises make me wrinkle my nose, and I’m glad I’m not able to see into their booth. Crux and I make small talk about nothing so anyone watching us doesn’t get suspicious. Diamond approaches our table once more, joining us to keep up appearances. You don’t go to a brothel and not spend time with the whores.

Perching on the couch beside Crux, she shakes her hair back and pushes her chest out once more in an attempt to catch his attention.

“Are you sure I can’t help you two?” she murmurs, placing her hand on Crux’s thigh and slowly sliding it towards his crotch.

I stiffen and reach for my dagger as blinding jealousy ignites, pushing me into a rage I’ve never felt before. Before I can act on it, however, Crux’s hand comes down on hers, stopping her in her tracks. Her face twists into an expression of pain as he squeezes it hard.

“You are dismissed.”

His voice is cold and hard, not to be ignored. Several silver coins appear on the table between us, and she grabs them, leaving us in a flash, not needing to be told twice.

What in the underworld was that? I have never had a reaction like that before. We’re not in a relationship, so why would I snap so fiercely over something like that? She’s a whore, it is literally her job to seduce us, and I have never been mad at a whore for doing that before.

Crux has been watching me the whole time, his keen gaze not missing a thing, and I can see his curiosity and a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“You’re jealous.” His lips pull up into a grin as I simply arch my eyebrow, not giving him an answer, although annoyance and confusion still flow through me. Clucking his tongue, he slides closer to me. “You think I would want a whore over you?”

His voice is like velvet, and before I know it, he’s in front of me, his hands pressed against the couch on either side of me. “Tell me, would you have killed her if she touched me there? If I hadn’t stopped her?”

I could lie or make up an excuse, but alcohol has made me brave. Today has been shit, and I want to forget how Joha’s accusation made me feel. Crux can take that away.

“Yes,” I reply simply, not feeling a single ounce of regret for my answer. “One second longer and she would have been dead.”

Instead of calling me a demon for my answer, his eyes flash with arousal and approval and his grin turns victorious. Reaching out, he drags a finger down my cheek and cups my chin, lifting my head so I’m unable to look away. Despite my disguise, all I see is pure lust and obsession in his gaze. “My vicious, little Alyx.”

Giddiness flares through me at his new pet name for me, and the possession in his voice turns me on in a way I didn’t think was possible.

“You love it,” I counter.

His expression shifts, becoming more serious. “Yes, I do.”

We surge forward, our lips crashing together. The noise of the brothel fades away until it’s just Crux, me, and the burning need blazing between us. Our kisses are animalistic and rough, and we bite each other’s lips and tongue. I don’t know what this thing is between us, but I feel like I’m falling under his spell. This could end horribly, he’s my best friend, but in this moment, I can’t find it in myself to be bothered, simply needing him.

He reaches for my breasts, only to realise they are bound thanks to my male disguise. Cupping my crotch through my trousers instead, he starts to rub circles against me in time with our kisses. Sparks of pleasure shoot through me, and I’m desperate to touch him, to feel the evidence of his arousal for me.

Tugging the opening of his trousers, I struggle to get it unfastened while my mind is distracted by his lips and hypnotic touch. I just get them open when the curtains to the booth are jerked open.

We both whirl in an instant, our blades hidden but ready to go should we be attacked. However, a very drunk man looks at us with confusion, glancing at the other booths in the room. When he turns back to us, he looks us over. Holding his hands up in a gesture of peace, he takes a step back.

“Hey, man, whatever does it for you.”

Stumbling away, he moves over to the booth on our other side as we watch him carefully.

I know the moment is gone now, so I start to straighten my clothes, but I cannot hide my smile at the longing I see in Crux’s gaze. Reputation is everything to him. In our business, it’s all we have, but he doesn’t seem bothered that the drunk might blab about Crux’s new proclivities. When our eyes meet, though, there is a promise of things to come in his expression, and I cannot help but shiver in want.