Page 12 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

Istare 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.”

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