Page 7 of The Immortal's Trick
“I have offended you.” The intruder mistakes my frown as being intended for him.
He doesn’t come closer. Good. The air between us is thick with tension, and I’m not entirely sure it’s all fear.
He’s taller than I thought. Broader, too. His features are just as sharp as I remember, but now I can see the stubble along his jaw.
He nods toward my hand. “I don’t blame you for being cautious. If our positions were reversed, I’d do the same.”
I say nothing.
“I saw you yesterday,” he says softly. “In the market.”
He dares a step forward.
I raise the blade higher. “Don’t.”
He stops immediately.
“I just… I have something for you.”
My eyes narrow.
Slowly—veryslowly—he moves his right hand toward his tunic. “I’m reaching for something in my pocket. That’s all.”
Every nerve in my body screams to run. But I stand my ground, eyes locked on his movements. One wrong move and I’ll bolt to the open fields and yell for help. There’s no way I could fight him off, but I’m not far from Father’s fields. Surely one of the workers would hear me and offer assistance.
When he pulls his hand free, it holds a familiar object: a small cloth pouch.
Mycoin purse.
I blink. “Where did you?—?”
“You dropped it yesterday. You rushed off before I could return it.”
I frown. I could’ve sworn I put the item on my bedroom table after returning from the market yesterday. I scold myself for being so careless, especially with money.
I take a step back, still not lowering the knife. “How do you know where I live?”
“I saw you ride away from a shop on a cart. I asked the young man there for your identity.” His lips flatten. “I must say, he was rather reluctant to share the information.”
Ani.
Ani told the handsome Greek where to find me.
“He’s a friend,” I mumble as an explanation.
“He said as much.” The Greek nods. “He even offered to deliver the purse himself. As I did not know of his character, however, I felt it prudent to accomplish the task myself.”
I can’t fault the man’s hesitation. Any other person might have offered to return the money but keep it.
But not Ani.
“Thank you,” I say and reach out a hand.
He inclines his head but doesn’t offer my purse yet. “May I know your name?”
I frown and lower my arm. “Why?”
“Because I am new to Alexandria and do not know many who speak Greek. I would like to make your acquaintance.”
