Page 39 of The Warrior Priest
Rhys, Vizah and Andreas turned to him, grinning.
Rufus quickly ducked into the garrison.
“Should we go?” I asked.
“Soon.” Giselle crossed her ankles. “The men will wash up and retreat to the dining room to eat. When they’re sitting down, the place will be almost empty. We’ll go then.”
“You know their routine.”
“It’s always the same.” She patted the stone floor beside her. “Sit, Jac. I have a question for you.”
I sat. “Go on.”
“Ever since you told me you followed me to that scum’s house, I’ve been wondering how I didn’t see or hear you.”
“I followed at a distance.”
She frowned. “Even so…”
“It’s why Rhys hires me. I’m quiet, discreet. Also, I have an excellent memory and can pick locks.”
Her frown deepened. “I didn’t take a direct route, and you must have been well back or I would have seen or heard you. How did you not lose me altogether?”
“I did lose you a few times, but I should admit that I overheard the tavern keeper give you the address.”
She narrowed her gaze. “You did?”
“I suppose since I knew where you were going, I instinctively knew which route you’d take and was able to pick up your trail again.”
“You ‘suppose?’”
I shrugged, not sure how to explain it.
“Huh. Well done. Tell me about this excellent memory of yours.”
“I can’t forget anything. Not a single word that I’ve heard or read, or any sights I’ve seen. As long as I’m concentrating at the time, that is. Distract me and I’m useless.”
Giselle continued to stare at me.
I cleared my throat. “Why did you kill the deputy governor? Is it because you heard he was a rapist?”
“And because someone paid me to kill him.”
“Who?”
She gave me an arch look. “Someone who also heard what he’d done and couldn’t see any other way to make him pay. The governor protects his own, the turd.” I was still mulling that over when she said, “Jac, I don’t know why you need to dress as a boy and I don’t care.”
For a moment I thought she knew my uncle was the governor and that I’d run away from him four years ago. But then she continued, and I realized the comments about him being a turd and the way I dressed weren’t connected.
“That’s your business. We all have our secrets. But I do question how long you can keep it up.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, a little affronted at her gall in asking. We hardly knew each other. “You’re right. It isn’t your business why I dress like this.” I shrugged. “Why doyou?”
“I’m not passing myself off as a boy, or man, or…” She waved her hand in the general direction of my chest. “Whatever this is. Everyone knows I’m a woman. I prefer to dress like a man because it makes it easier to do what they’re doing.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder.
“Fighting?”
She smiled.
