Page 41 of The Warrior Priest
“Got you,” she sneered.
Chapter9
The cold steel of Giselle’s blade pressed against my throat. She straddled me, her weight pinning me to the cobblestones. I wasn’t strong enough to dislodge her, and that blade would draw blood the moment I moved. I didn’t dare try.
“Why…?” My voice was barely louder than a whisper.
“How did you know I was there?” she asked.
“Wh-what?”
“How did you know I was there?”
“I heard your footsteps.”
“But you knew it was me. You said my name. I was behind you and you didn’t once turn around, so how did you know?” Her questions were strange considering they were said with curiosity rather than anger.
“I didn’t know until you passed. You wear an orange blossom scent.”
“Lots of women wear orange blossom.”
I was quite sure she had no intention of killing me, so I felt confident enough to push her in the chest. “Why did you trip me up?”
Giselle stood. “Sorry about that.” She put out a hand to help me to my feet. “It was a test.”
I hesitated then accepted her hand. “I assume I failed. Although in my defense, when I realized it was you, I relaxed.”
“Never relax, not around anyone.” She sheathed her dagger. “That’s lesson number one.”
“You’re my self-appointed teacher now? Lucky me.”
“Don’t you want to learn from the best?”
“Learn what? How to get caught following someone?”
“How to fight off an attacker, and use a knife and other weapons.”
“Are you suggesting you want to teach me to be an assassin?” I whispered the last part, just in case someone was in earshot.
“You can be my apprentice.”
An assassin’s apprentice? It sounded ridiculous, yet she looked quite serious. “Why me?”
“You have potential. You need some intense physical training to build up muscle and fighting skills, but you have some good natural qualities that can’t be taught. With training, I can make you better.”
“You’re mad. What makes you think I want to be an assassin? I abhor violence.”
“Then why haven’t you walked off yet?”
I walked off. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“What’s here for you in Tilting, Jac?” she called after me. “Do you have family? Commitments?”
I kept walking.
“If you’re staying for Rhys, then you’re the mad one. He’ll never leave the order, not for anyone. It’s in his blood.” When I didn’t turn around, she added, “If you decide to take control of your own future instead of mooning after him, give your name to the publican at the Cat and Mouse. He’ll tell you where to find me.”
I took long strides, eager to get as far away from her as fast as I could. So much for having made a new friend today. Giselle had simply been testing me all along, trying to determine if I had the qualities she was looking for in an apprentice. Perhaps she thought I was desperate enough to accept, but I’d told the truth when I said I abhorred violence. I couldn’t imagine killing anyone.
