Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

ALYX

I stare at the tattered, cloaked man until he pushes it back, revealing one of the most handsome faces I have ever seen in my entire life. He has the face of a noble, with brightly glowing skin, a clean-shaven jaw, and familiar, vivid blue eyes surrounded by long black lashes. His hair is as black as the shadows I inhabit and slicked back into a plait I see trailing down his back—another sign of his worth and status because the higher you are, the longer it is. I see jewels threaded through it, which is another sure sign.

His nose is straight and perfect, his cheekbones are high and sharp, and when he smiles at me, a dimple appears in each cheek, giving him a youthful appearance.

“Alyx,” he calls again.

I look over my shoulder to see my marks eyeing me before running away. Fuck! I glare back at the man, recognising the voice if not the face.

He is the one I saved in the alley, so why is he here now?

He does not belong here, that is for sure, and standing at his side is a hulking man.

He is almost cruel looking, with deep, sharp eyebrows and dark eyes. His dark hair is shaved nearly down to his scalp, showing one ear with the tip cut off. A few scars decorate his square, strong face that leads into a bushy brown beard and plump lips. I cannot see what he is wearing, as a matching cloak hides his body, but it’s a tad too short, which makes me believe he stole it.

The sword at his side is unmistakable though, as is the clear intention in his eyes.

This man is dangerous. Good, so am I.

I glance back to see my marks escaping, and frustration fills me again. I waited for their ship for a whole month. An entire month of my life has been wasted, and I lost two years’ worth of coin, all because of the smiling fool and his massive friend.

He waves like he’s unsure if I can see him, and I feel my nostrils flare in annoyance. I might have spared him the other day, but I won’t today. One way or another, I’m getting paid. I cannot go home empty-handed.

I storm over, and the man at his side places his hand on his sword, clearly sensing my intent, but the clueless noble simply smiles wider, right up until I grab him.

Snarling in annoyance, I slam the familiar man into the wall of a house, and when the big man leaps at me, I kick out, throwing him back to the other side of the road. My blade comes up, and I press it to the rich man’s throat as I pull my sword with the other and point it at the bigger man, who’s climbing to his feet and heading my way.

“One wrong move and he’s dead,” I warn the bigger man before turning to the man I saved. “You fool, you ruined my hunt.”

“I apologize,” he says, but he is smiling too widely and looking too happy.

Did he do it on purpose?

“I have killed for less,” I warn, though he does not seem fazed by my blade at his throat.

“He is foolish, that is for sure. Here, take this for your troubles.” The big man thrusts a pouch forward.

I grab it before he can move, but I keep my blade in place. “Now, why are you searching for me, stumbler?”

There is only one reason a man like this comes calling, and like all the other rich men, he will die if he ever touches me.

“I have a proposition.” He relaxes like we are sitting in a tavern, talking over beer.

“Not interested.” I pull my dagger away and point at the burly man since he seems smarter. He’s probably a paid protector, since the noble clearly needs one. “Keep him away from me or I will gut him.” I turn and stride away, hoping to catch my marks. I can still rectify this hunt.

“Wait, Alyx,” the man calls.

“Joha, stop,” the burly man warns, yet I hear them both hurrying after me.

Rolling my eyes, I walk into the alley next to the tavern, the river to the back of us. More than one body has been dumped in there, and tonight, I might just add two more. Leaping up, I catch the edge of the tavern’s second story railing and hang in wait.

They don’t keep me waiting long, and when the two shadows appear below me, I drop, landing right behind them. The big man whirls, but my sword is already at his throat, knowing he is the most dangerous of the two. “I warned you,” I tell him.

“I implore you to listen,” the noble, Joha, begs.

“I am not a subject you implore or command.” I raise an eyebrow without looking away.

“Then how about a contract? That is what assassins take, is it not? The Daggers?”

Sighing, I remove my blade. “Go home, nobleman, you don’t belong here. I do not want your money.”

For a moment, his eyes drop to my necklace, the one I stole from him. “I cost you your hunt, so I will pay the sum you were owed if you listen to my proposal. If you wish to say no after, I will go. I give you my word.” He covers his chest as if that actually works.

“Your word means nothing to me.”

“His word is everything,” the bulky man roars, and when he opens his mouth to say something else, he swallows, and Joha glares.

“Just listen, that is all.” He holds out a pouch. “And this is yours. I’m sure it will cover your sum from tonight and more.”

Leaning back into the wall, I cross my arms. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re very annoying?”

“No,” he admits brazenly, and strangely, I believe him. “Not to my face at least.”

“Fine.” I hold my hand out. “I will listen, and then you will leave or I’ll wear that pretty face as a mask.”

He grins. “You think I am pretty?”

“Money, now,” I snarl. The fool hands it over. A worse man would run with it now, a better man would be grateful, but I linger between. “You have one minute.”

“I want to offer you a contract. I have enemies?—”

“Shocking,” I interrupt with a smirk.

“There have been multiple attempts on my life. More than that, someone is actively working to bring me down. I need someone from outside—someone who can come in and find who it is.”

“And kill them?” I query.

“If it comes to it. If not, I will ruin them,” he replies. “I need someone I can trust, someone capable who cannot be paid, like a soldier.”

“What do I get in return for sorting through your noble house’s shit?”

“Who said it was a noble house?” He grins. “To do this job, you will need to go undercover and pretend to be my queen. My future bride. A lady.”

“The queen?” I chuckle. “Good joke.” I start to push away when he parts his cloak, showing me the royal purple robes underneath. I look at the burly man, who shows me his armour.

Only two people wear that.

I have heard enough tales of the young puppet king and his dog. I should have known, but in my defence, I never expected to find them here.

He is even more foolish than I thought.

“You’re the king?” I hiss, swinging around. “You’re a fool for coming down here.”

“You’ve called me that before. I am starting to think it is a compliment. I had no choice. You’re clearly capable, but you are beautiful enough to fulfil the role. No one would suspect a lady is an assassin in their midst. I will pay you whatever you wish, more than you would earn in three lifetimes. You may have anything you ask for if you find my enemies and help me stop them.”

“And pretend to be your new queen?” I snort, looking him up and down.

It’s crazy but tempting. The money I could earn would set us up for life. I could give back to the Lowers and help those who are struggling, not to mention sticking it to some nobles would be nice, but still. “No thanks, go back to your palace, my king,” I mock.

“Anything you want,” he says urgently. “Name it.”

“I don’t think she would be capable, Your Majesty.” The big man snorts.

I know he’s winding me up, but it’s starting to work. Grinding my teeth, I look between them, scarcely believing I am asking this. “When do I need to decide?”

“Before daybreak, come to the western gate of the palace. We will be waiting, and we can discuss everything then,” Joha replies. “This is Orion, my bodyguard. You can trust him.”

“I trust no one, and neither should you,” I tell him, eyeing them both. Surely this isn’t real, and if it is, how foolish would I have to be to walk into Moonshadow Palace, a place known for its backstabbing and murder?

The rich are worse than the poor—I know since I serve most of them. However, gaining access to the palace, people, and the records there might get me something I have always wanted—the truth about what happened.

I would get paid and get my revenge in one go.

All I would have to do is pretend to be this foolish king’s queen-to-be. How hard can that be?

“Until then,” I say, unsure if I will take it. I need to think.

“I will see you then,” Joha calls, but I don’t look back as I slink into the shadows. His pouch rattles at my hip, reminding me he is good at paying his debts and keeping his word, at least for now. I am no fool to think the king won’t double-cross me at the end to silence me and keep his throne safe, but I am good at disappearing, and with him paying me anything I want, I could go anywhere and be anything.

The only question is, do I want to?

It feels as if fate has once again flipped its hand and drawn me another path, if only I am strong enough to take it.