Page 47 of Decoy

Secrets were dangerous in the hands of an assassin, especially the only secrets I had left. “What if I don’t possess any I’m willing to share?”

“I’m sure you have plenty, but for now I’ll render my assistance on credit. What do you need?”

Despite having been the one to seek him out, I hesitated at the thought of opening the heart I’d kept closed for so long enough to confide my predicament. But the fact of the matter remained that I had no one else to turn to, and though he’d given me many reasons not to trust him, he’d also provided enough for me to tentatively turn to him now.

He waited patiently without pressuring me to confide in him…which in the end confirmed my decision to do so. I took a wavering breath. “I was just attacked in my room.”

His entire manner shifted in an instant from playful curiosity to fiercely protective. “What?” He seized my shoulders with a desperate grip. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? We can engage in our word spar later, but now time is of the essence. What happened? How did they get in? Where were your guards?”

I summarized the events as quickly and concisely as I could. The moment I finished, he slipped out the window towards the roof. I hurried after him as quickly as I could, but by the time I made it to the rooftop he’d already disappeared into my room.

He emerged by the time I reached the window. “The assailant already got away.”

“Then we’re fortunate I didn’t encounter him on the roof when I was without a weapon.”

His brows drew in concern. “What happened to the dagger I gave you? Don’t tell me you’ve lostanotherone.”

“I didn’tloseit; it’s buried in my assailant’s body…somewhere.”

The thin moonlight illuminated his array of emotions, warring between grudging approval and exasperation. “While I’m impressed you managed to strike him, that dagger was on loan.”

“You’ll get it back if you manage to find the man who currently possesses it…if your skills are up to the task.” Despite my quip, I had the sense to feel remorse. He’d given me a weapon when I was in desperate need of one, and I’d poorly repaid his generosity. “Could it possibly be traced back to you or your family?”

At my concern his look gentled. He closed the distance between us and cupped my cheek. “I acquired it from the black market, so I doubt it would be. You just owe me…another secret, perhaps?”

I scowled. “You’re quite the creditor.” I’d long since lost count of my debts to him.

He winked before all traces of amusement vanished, replaced with a fierce protectiveness that left me breathless. His warmth became a shield against the coolness of the evening as he stepped closer.

“Did he hurt you?” His concerned gaze immediately settled on the gash in my arm. It no longer bled as heavily, but my escape from my assailant had prevented me from cleaning it, making it appear far worse an injury.

Luke reacted instantly. With a sharp gasp he stumbled back so quickly he lost his footing and landed on the roof with a loudthumpthat echoed through the still night, a sound that had likely awoken whoever occupied the room beneath us. He muttered a curse.

“It appears I’m forced to revoke your title ofMaster of Stealth,” I teased.

He glared at me, but the effort was half-hearted considering he seemed more inclined to smile if his pride would have allowed him.

“I’m no match against such a bloody enemy, but I will earn back my title before someone comes to investigate.”

In an instant, he was on his feet and had seized the wrist of my non-injured arm. A slithery sensation suddenly cloaked me, as if the shadows themselves surrounded us, blurring our surroundings as we moved too quickly for me to follow—one moment we were near my window, the next we were on the other side of the roof. Some supernatural force was at work behind the scenes to enhance the skills Luke already possessed.

Questions burned on my tongue, but they vanished the instant he crouched behind a stone statue decorating the roof and lowered me beside him, listening intently to something I couldn’t hear. Our bodies pressed together, a proximity that set my heart pounding wildly…and not for fear of being caught. We hadn’t been this close since our kiss, a memory that drew my attention towards his lips.

He must have felt the heat of my gaze, because he managed to tear his focus away from his watch to meet mine. The energy between us seemed to tingle as we stared at one another before he yanked his gaze away with a groan.

“I’m not going to make that mistake again; you’re the last woman I should ever kiss.”

His refusal stung, even as it helped me regain some much-needed sense. “Just as you’re the last man I should kiss.”

“Yet you kissed me anyway.”

I released an annoyed huff at that extreme lack of judgement, never mind the experience had been rather pleasant…not that I’d ever admit it. I tried to convince myself that I’d only enjoyed the experience for its novelty since I had no other memories with which to compare it, yet even without them I somehow knew kissing Luke had been special…which only miffed me further.

“This topic offers nothing that will progress our investigation on the assassin who tried to attack me.”

“If therewasan assassin and you didn’t just wake me up in the middle of the night because you missed me.”

“I didn’t miss you.” My expression twisted at the thought, never mind there was more truth to his words than I wanted to admit.

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