Page 80 of Decoy

Malik rolled his eyes before waving me off. “Go and rescue your maiden and then you’ll have all the time in the world to spendobtaining information.”

Under the guise of doing that very thing, I subtly handed her a weapon before leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I trust Malik, but just in case, I’d rather leave you armed. Don’t hesitate to use it should anyone attack, even if it’s him.”

At her nod of understanding, I reluctantly pulled away, only pausing when she seized my hand for a fervent squeeze. “I trust you.”

My heart swelled at her words. I leaned down to steal another kiss before tugging the cloth of my assassin garb up over my mouth. “I’ll return shortly, my dear…after I’ve struck a bargain with the true crown princess that will guarantee your safety. Rest assured.”

I melted into the shadows for them to carry me to where Her Highness waited, unaware that an assassin was fast approaching for his most important mission yet.

CHAPTER23

It took every effort not to betray my position with a derisive laugh as I watched the assassins of a lesser house attack Princess Evelyn and her small entourage. I could only guess that the one seeking Her Highness’s life hadn’t had the means to hire lackeys whose skills were just beyond utter incompetence. They only had themselves to blame when the assassins were dispatched by a single guard and the prince protecting the princess.

Even with my limited experience with death I could have done much better.

After the assassins had been dealt with I didn’t immediately emerge, thoughtful enough to wait for the party to tend the wounded prince’s injury that would only serve as a distraction in my negotiations. Only then did I emerge from the shield of shadows masking my presence. Below, the guard immediately stiffened and withdrew his sword, while the prince took a protective step in front of the princess to shield her with his body.

In my surprise I couldn’t resist chuckling, a sound that penetrated the tension-choked air. “You’re the first to ever notice my presence before I could strike, but unfortunately your skills are no match for mine; no amount of warning would have granted you enough time to defend my attack.”

My voice drew their gazes upward to search the surrounding trees, but I blended in my hiding place too well to be so easily found by mere amateurs. I allowed the shadows to enfold me and transport me to a copse of trees behind them before speaking again.

“Perhaps a hint is in order: you’re searching for me in the wrong place.”

They whipped around, the prince hastily stepping around the princess to maintain his shield…yet they still couldn’t locate me. My lips twitched in amusement.

“Still can’t find me? I suppose you’re not as skilled as I thought. Shall I give you another hint?”

The shadows transported me to a new location several meters to their right, this time abandoning my usual stealth so that the branches rustled, alerting them to my presence so that when they searched the trees they located me midst the camouflage of branches. A graceful flip brought me silently to the ground, my dagger at the ready to ensure they understood the threat from the beginning to better compel them to cooperate.

The princess’s dutiful guard immediately leapt forward, sword raised…but I lazily knocked it away with a precisely thrown shuriken. “Careful, else next time I won’t miss.”

Not to be deterred, he’d already drawn a spare dagger and stood in preparation to attack.

“There’s no need to be so tense. If I were intending to kill you, you’d already be dead.”

The guard’s protective stance didn’t falter as he slowly picked up his fallen sword, nor did my words compel the prince to release the princess from his protective grip. I couldn’t help but admire his protective devotion; too bad he’d lose any fight I chose to engage in, but I could at least give the credit to his bravery that was due.

I fixed my attention on the princess, a thoroughly unimpressive mousy creature that seemed entirely weak in comparison to Blair’s spunk and intoxicating spirit. I nearly wrinkled my nose.Thiswas who Blair had been forced to risk her life for? Royalty or not, Her Highness’s life was nothing to Blair’s, compelling me to dislike her instantly.

The woman was so thoroughly unremarkable I might have wondered whether Malik had for once been mistaken and she wasn’t truly the princess if I hadn’t witnessed her magic at work in the battle with the attacking assassins and the healing that had followed.

“I’d already determined the truth, but the healing magic you performed only confirms that you are the true crown princess of Estoria, which makes my life much easier. Excellent.”

She paled but her gaze didn’t falter, a few points in courage I bestowed with the utmost reluctance. “Who are you?”

“As someone who understands the importance of protecting your identity, I hope you’ll forgive me for keeping my true name a secret. For now you may call me the Shadow.” I leaned against a tree, lazily taking in her pallid reaction. “By your shock I take it my reputation precedes me?”

That saved me from needlessly wasting time explaining, not to mention her understanding the threat would make it easier to get what I’d come here for.

“You—you’re the one—” Fear momentarily choked her words. “Am I your target?”

Only if you fail to cooperate. But I merely smiled beneath my mask. “If you’re the crown princess of Estoria, then yes, at one point you were indeed my target.”

Which only increased my puzzlement why the shadows remained stubbornly fixated on Blair; those that lingered in the clearing remained still and silently watchful, without betraying any sinister interest in the princess’s presence.

Her wide-eyed gaze remained fixed on the blade I twirled in my hand as I pushed away from the tree to approach, as if determined to follow its movements should I decide to throw it.

I nearly laughed as her protectors eased themselves closer. It was infinitely amusing the lengths the Shadow’s prey went to protect themselves, pathetic efforts I could easily crush with my own skill and the shadows’ powers; with my need to protect Blair and now with a kill tallied to my name, I no longer had any reason to hesitate should they get in my way.

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