Page 143 of Vicious Princess
As we round the corner, we bump into three fae.
Before they can even understand what’s happening, Daegel and I slice their throats with our blades, him killing one more than me. We don’t bother hiding the bodies.
Roman waits for us hidden behind the stairs. When we approach, he reveals himself.
“There are more fae upstairs than the target and her bodyguards. There’s another fae with two of his bodyguards. He’s not a Decarios, but his bouncers are.” Roman’s words come out in a rush.
I nod. “We saw.” I glance at Daegel and then back at Roman. “We leave no survivors. They’re all criminals.”
Roman nods.
Daegel climbs the stairs, and I gesture for Roman to follow first.
I grab the railing and set my foot on the first step when a familiar voice from behind me says, “Well, well, well. Who do we have here?”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
All of us freeze. I turn and lock gazes with Leti.
This bitch has the worst possible timing.
“Nice bow, Calia,” she says, cocking her head to the side. “Is that even your true name, little spy?”
I turn to face her fully. “Why aren’t you at your owner’s side, like a good dog?”
She smirks. “I’m exactly where myownerwould like me to be. Isn’t that right, Daegel?”
My stomach sinks.
Her gaze slides away from me, to where Daegel stands. If she says anything more to him, Roman will know something is up.
“Go,” I say over my shoulder, quickly. “I’ll deal with her.”
Roman and Daegel don’t waste time, rushing up the stairs and leaving just the two of us.
Leti’s attention shifts to me, and she quirks her eyebrow. “You win one round ofAni-ki-ga, and all of a sudden, you think you stand a chance against me, little pet?”
I step down from the stairs and secure my bow at my back. Then I unsheathe two blades and flip them in my hands. “Let’s see if you’re as good with blades as you are with your bow, bitch.”
We circle each other.
Leti doesn’t draw knives, and from the smirk on her lips, I can tell she thinks she doesn’t need them. “You do know he’s gonna drop you the moment the novelty of a new toy wears off, right?”
Her words hit a nerve, but I don’t let the feelings fester. She thinks she can manipulate me into losing my bearings.
“It’s been over a year, Leti. It’s time to move on; otherwise, you start looking pathetic,” I say in the same mocking tone she uses on me.
Her laugh is seductive, smooth as velvet. “Over a year? Is that what he told you? Oh, sweet little pup. You’re more naive than you look.”
Don’t give in to her provocation.
I steady myself and attack.
Leti steps out of my way with ease and aims her elbow at my ribs.
Thankfully, I’m quick enough to twist out of her way and put some distance between us. I don’t hesitate to attack her again.
Unfortunately, she’s excellent at dodging my blows.
