Page 65 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

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.

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