Page 9 of Decoy

His deep, smooth voice contained a bite of mocking. I tightened my jaw at his aggravating toying and immediately reached for my trusty blade at my thigh…before remembering I didn’t have it.

Curses!

I frantically felt around the roof for a loose slate to use in defense, all while keeping my attention riveted to the silhouette, afraid to even blink considering that was when he’d disappeared the first time. There was no time for me to puzzle outhowthe man had managed to cross such a vast distance in an instant without my noticing…unless there were two intruders?

The temptation to search the shadows behind me prickled even as I refused to shift my focus from the man before me. I sensed his smirk through his mask, his amusement at my dilemma. I swept my leg beneath his body in hopes of tripping him and creating a chance to make my escape, but I’d barely moved when a graceful flip landed him behind me.

“That isn’t the polite way to engage in an introduction.”

I glared. “What do you want from me?”

“The very thing I’m sure you desire: an explanation. I’ve traversed many rooftops, but this is the first time I’ve ever met anyone without prior arrangement.”

He crouched on his heels to better study me. I yearned to flinch away from the force of his perusal, one that felt invasive as it slithered in search of my secrets.

His eyes bulged. “I never expected to discover a lady in such a place. This is an intriguing turn of events, one well worth the distraction. Who are you?”

The man was daft if he believed a single inquiry would compel me to reveal my identity…but by the amusement in his eyes, he didn’t seem to take his own question seriously.

“It’s clear who you are,assassin.”

He bowed. “Not justanyassassin.” But he didn’t elaborate any further, which was quite unfortunate considering I was well versed in most of the prominent assassin houses and would have likely recognized his title. “Do I have the pleasure of addressing an assassin in return?” At my prolonged silence he tilted his head. “Not even a single hint? You guard your secrets well.”

“Guarding one’s identity is the most effective defense.” Especially against a man who very well might be the assassin after me.

“And you’re clearly in need of some advantage.”

Frustration tightened my jaw. I needed a real means of defending myself. I ran my gaze across his outfit, tight enough to emphasize his muscles but not enough to reveal any concealed weapons. Apparently he wasn’t amateur enough to hide them in an obvious place. Quite unfortunate.

A blade glistened in the moonlight as he pulled out a hidden dagger and waved it tauntingly. “Is this what you’re looking for?”

I lunged for it, but he easily leapt out of the way with another aerial flip that landed him on my other side.

“Even a partial introduction doesn’t give you leave to steal from me. Feisty thing.” He rested his chin in his hand to study my defensive stance. “You appear well-trained in the art of stealth and some defense, as evidenced by that leg sweep you attempted. Even without taking into account we’re meeting on a roof, you’re definitely no ordinary person. What is your mission at the palace?”

“Perhaps I find myself lost.” It was a poor excuse for my presence in such a obscure place, but surely a defense of words was better than none at all.

He chuckled. “Though I may be an assassin, I’m still a gentleman. If you provide your intended destination, I can point you in the right direction; it must be quite the place for you not wanting to risk detection within the palace corridors. Are you after the crown jewels, perhaps?”

“Whether I am or not, my secrets are my own.”

“Wrong: secrets are meant to be uncovered, and your determination to protect them is nothing more than a proffered invitation.”

“Then you must determine which you covet more: answers or my life.” I evenly met his gaze. “Are you going to kill me?”

“Icould…but as fun as our interaction is, it’s proving to be an unnecessary distraction from my own purpose.” He sheathed his weapon and straightened. “Perhaps we’ll encounter one another the next time we scale the roof…or we’ll meet not cloaked beneath shadow but within the palace, and then I’ll finally have the name I seek.”

Foreboding quickened my pulse. Without a mask I had no way to protect my identity. If this was the man I sought, the moment he discovered the role I masqueraded, I’d become his target. And if he wasn’t, I needed to discover his reason for traipsing the roof and whether it was for another target or a deeper plan than just eliminating the princess.

It appeared I’d made my first enemy, which made it all the more imperative I get my hands on a weapon at all costs.

“Aggravating confidence doesn’t guarantee you possess the skill to discover who I am.” I attempted to sound brave but my voice faltered, betraying me.

He raised a single brow. “A challenge. Perhaps we can play a game: will you discover my identity before I’ve uncovered yours, or will you pay for your failure with your life?”

“I doubt I’m your true target.”

He studied me for a silent moment, likely uncovering far more than I wanted to share; information was power, and so far he possessed all the cards.

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