Page 53 of Cage of Darkness
“I respect his desire tothink this through. What I’m asking isn’t to be takenlightly.”
She eyed Kerdan. “Why do you wear thatblack paint on your face?” she asked, changing thesubject.
He shrugged. “Russek’s warriors havealways worn the markings. It’s tradition.”
Then he must considerhimself more warrior than prince. “Will you work with me? Teach mehow to . . .” She couldn’t bring herself to saykill.
He nodded. “First, I need to drag youback through the castle kicking and screaming. Ready to put on agood show?”
***
“I know you can fight,”Kerdan said, standing across from Allyssa in the empty room. “Butfighting and killing are two different techniques.” He withdrew along, thin knife. “It may be best to allow Odar to make thekill.”
She bristled. Just because Odar was aman and physically stronger didn’t mean she couldn’t do this. Bykilling these four people, she would save thousands of lives. Andfor that reason alone, she could do it. Squaring her shoulders, shesaid, “Don’t be a daft cow.”
He chuckled. “I meant because he hasmore experience.” Stepping closer to her, he asked, “Have you everkilled anyone?” She shook her head. “The first time is thehardest.”
“Just show me what to do.”She didn’t want to have a philosophical discussion about murderright now.
“You will slip into theirrooms late at night when they’re in bed, slit their throats, andimmediately exit the castle. You’ll be long gone before anyone evenknows they’re dead.”
“Won’t their rooms beguarded?” Back home, the door to her bedchamber always had sentriesstationed outside of it.
“Yes,” he said. “But you’renot going in through the main entrance. I will arrange a game ofgambling in the kitchen so the servant hallways will beclear.”
“And if Odar and I arecaught?” she asked.
“I will be with my fatherthe entire time and will not be able to help you. However, theentrance to the escape route you’ll be taking is in thedungeon.”
So no matter what happened, she wouldbe going into the dungeon—the place where she was tortured. Takinga deep breath, she tried to steady her nerves.
“Here’s a layout of thecastle and how to get to the royal tower.” He handed her a piece ofpaper. “I’ve marked each room along with squares indicating wherethe beds are located.”
She slipped the paper into her pocketand shook her arms, loosening them. “Very well. Now show me what todo.” Hopefully, activity would put her mind at ease.
He withdrew a potato. “Have you everstabbed anyone?”
“Yes,” she admitted,remembering when she thrust her knife into Soma’s side at the ball,the warm blood coating her gloved hands.
“Guess we don’t need that.”He tossed the potato in the corner of the room where it landed withathunk. “If youstab someone and miss an organ or artery, you might not kill them.However, if you slice a person’s throat deep enough, then youdefinitely will.”
Her stomach rolled at the thought ofpurposely taking a life. She shoved the morality aspect of it awayso she could focus on what needed to be done.
“I would place the knifehere.” He reached out and touched the side of her neck with hisfinger. “Applying pressure, slide the knife all the way to theother side. Then leave as quickly as possible.”
“Okay,” she said. “I can dothat.”Quick and efficient. Don’toverthink it.
“Soma won’t be so easy.He’ll know the moment you enter his bedchamber.”
Allyssa’s hands shook, and she becamequeasy at the thought of facing the assassin. “Do you suppose hehas trip wires or things of that nature?”
“I don’t know what he hasrigged up. When you enter his room, attack immediately. Be quick,and show no mercy.”
“What about using a poisoninstead?” It would be easier and less messy.
“He’s been trained to sniffout the smallest trace of poison. He also has several antidotes.You’re going to have to physically kill him.” He handed her aknife. “How accurate is your throw?”
“Deadly.” She smiled,taking hold of the weapon and feeling its weight.
