Page 3 of Love, Rekindled

“I’d walk away,” she said with more confidence than she felt.

“You don’t believe that. I can see it in your eyes.”

His absolute certainty pissed her off. She feinted to the left before whirling to the side, trying to plunge her dagger into his back. Even if she missed his heart, the silver in the blade should slow him down.

“If you think you can convince me to join your rebellion…” Her words trailed away as she caught sight of the glorious tattoo spread across his shoulders and down his spine.

Angel wings.

She didn’t have time for more than a glimpse before he spun, the sword nearly taking off her head as she fell to her knees.

“Rebellion.” He didn’t press his attack. Instead, he sent her a mocking smile. “Is that what he told you?”

She slashed the dagger at his legs, forcing him back so she could jump to her feet. “Why else would I be here?”

“Because he fears I might reveal the nasty bargain he offered me.”

They walked in a slow circle, like two dancers moving to a song only they could hear.

Jayla frowned. “What bargain?”

“He demanded that I kill the clan chief of Thebes.”

She made a sound of disgust. If he were going to lie, then he should have taken more care to choose one she might believe.

“Leonidas has bent the knee, swearing his allegiance to the king. Why would he want him destroyed?”

“Because he has amassed a fortune that your king not only wants in his treasury, but fears could be used against him if Leonidas decides to challenge him for the throne.” He twirled the sword, his expression annoyingly confident. “And, more importantly, the Anasso lusts after Leonidas’s mate.”

“A lie.” With a flick of her wrist, Jayla sent one of her daggers flying toward the taunting male. It wasn’t only a way to knock him off guard. It was a chance to interrupt his accusations that were stirring suspicions she didn’t want roused.

Azrael knocked aside the dagger with his sword. “Believe what you want. The Anasso arrived here several days ago with a treasure chest and a demand that I take care of his dirty business. When I said no, I assumed he would try and silence me. “

Jayla clutched the cursed dagger that she’d been careful to keep. She just had to get close enough to stick it in his heart.

“Why you?”

“Because I’m the best.” He didn’t sound arrogant. Just certain that he was truly the best.

Jayla narrowed her eyes, taking a step closer to the male. “You aren’t a part of our clan. If the Anasso wanted a rival clan chief dead, he would come to me. I am his personal assassin.”

“He didn’t want you to know because he knew it would reveal that he isn’t the glorious hero he pretends to be.”

She scowled. There was an edge of calm sincerity to his voice that undermined her attempt to convince herself that he was crafting some elaborate lie. Grimly, she forced herself to take another step closer. She needed to end this. Now.

“You’re a mercenary.” She didn’t have to pretend to be interested in his answer, her feet taking her relentlessly closer to him. Close enough to catch his scent. The rich musk of a wild, untamed creature. “Why didn’t you accept his offer?”

He lifted one shoulder. “At this moment, I just want to live in peace.”

“Peace?” Jayla cocked her head to the side, deliberately pausing to listen to the violent commotion outside. “Forgive me if I find that hard to believe.”

“I have no control over the Golden Horde.”

She spread her arms wide, the dagger mere inches from his chest. “You’re just an innocent victim of circumstances, eh?”

The impossibly blue eyes shimmered with amusement. “I have never been innocent, and anyone who imagines I could be a victim usually ends up dead.”

“Usually?” Another step closer.

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