Page 127 of Falcon's Prey

Carefully I laid Ember on the pillow, trying not to wake her—at least not yet. My blood ran cold when I saw what was on her side table. Fear was not a word I used lightly. When you played devil’s advocate, you became desensitized to emotions. Fear was an emotion that that came with caring for someone other than yourself. Not too long ago, I called myself fearless, but wanting someone so fucking bad you’d die for them—it made you human.

I got off the bed, slowly walking to the other side. I turned on the lamp just to verify that what I was seeing was real and not a figment of my imagination. In my world, it was a calling card. Only one person used this, and it was known from east to west from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. This flower symbolized death. Silently, I checked the room until I was sure no one was in here. I kneeled at the side of the bed and grabbed a Glock I had stashed and moved my pillow, grabbing a knife.

The only thing that kept me rational was the fact that if they wanted Ember and me dead, we would already be. I opened the door slowly, my Glock in front of me ready to shoot first and ask questions later as I checked the hallway. Arrogance was a downfall, and right now, I was falling.

Since I now took Ember’s safety personally, I was the only one in the house with her—to give us a sense of normalcy. I figured that with guards outside, it might have been enough. No one was in the control room, so there was no one to watch my back while I searched the house.

The hallway was dark; the only light I could see was that of the windows. I faltered for a second the moment I saw a shadow on one of the sofas. I could feel eyes boring into me, but I ignored them. Straightening myself, I made my way down the staircase into the living room.

The city lights illuminated the living room. Sitting on one of Ember’s sofas was a woman I was sure was a myth. Her legs were crossed, and she watched me likeIwas her prey. Funny how the tables had turned. Her hair was black and shiny like feathers of a raven. She had pale porcelain skin, and her clothing blended with the night.

“Are you lost?” I told her once I stepped foot on the floor.

“Just needed a place to rest.” Her voice was gravelly but pleasant with a mild Russian accent. “What are friends for, right?”

Her eyebrow raised, and I felt her gray eyes pierce me, trying to get a rise out of me.

“What are you doing here? You hurt her, and I swear to God I will make you—”

“I bow to no kingdom, and I kneel before no man. You’re not going to make me do anything.” She uncrossed her leg and sat straighter as she glared at me. “Did you not think we would come to collect what was promised to us?”

“I never made—”

“It matters not who made them, but that they were made.”

“Kill me. Take me. Call it even,” I growled, pissed because I should have known it would have come down to this.

“You killed your partner. The one who had been with you since the beginning.”

“If there’s no loyalty, there’s nothing.”

Killing Pam was the easiest decision I’d ever made. I gave her mercy by doing it quick and clean. The woman seemed to think about it, her head cocking to the side. I felt the slow presence of death at my back, ready to strike, and I was afraid. Not for me, but for Ember.

“I came here to offer you a deal,” she said.

I raised my eyebrow for her to keep going.

“Her life for your servitude.”

My body chilled. I never thought I would be separated from Ember this soon. This would crush her, and the thought fucked with me because she was a part of me. I never wanted to see hurt.

“Fine,” I gritted out.

She tilted her head to the side.

“You’d throw your life away for her?”

“I’d kill you right here if I knew your fucking people wouldn’t come after her.”

“And if I let you stay with her?” Her voice dropped to a softer tone, much gentler.

I knew what she wanted from me at that moment. “I’ll give you my gratitude, and maybe one day, even my loyalty.”

“War is coming, Falcon, and I started to place my pieces on the board. I need soldiers, but most importantly, I need loyalty. Now, I know loyalty is earned and not bought, so I want you to remember my mercy. I want you to know that I will not collect what we were promised. I will make sure the organization does not come after you. The blame will lie at my feet, and in return, I want you to be ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“For the day I say jump.”

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