Page 44 of Cage of Destiny
“None of yourbusiness.”
He chuckled. “When I findthis officer of yours, I’ll need to tell him who’s looking forhim.”
A reasonable explanation.Under normal circumstances, she would never give her real name. Shewould use Lilly, knowing both Kerdan and Odar would recognize it.However, she needed to give her real name in this situation toensure these men knew who she was so she could becaptured.
She took a breath, glancedaround, and whispered, “Allyssa.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”He stood and left.
She expected men to burstthrough the door, throw her into an iron cage, and haul her off toJana. Since the first person to successfully take her to the queenwould receive a substantial reward, she feared there would beseveral who tried to kidnap her.
“Another drink?” thebartender asked.
She shook her head, slidingher dagger up her sleeve. Jana’s soldiers had to know there weremercenaries here as well. Allyssa’s capture would need to be wellorchestrated, and it couldn’t be out in the open. It felt as ifthere was a target painted on her. Only the smartest, the mostruthless, and the deadliest would succeed at kidnapping her. Shewas about to wave the bartender back over for that drink when thedoor opened, a sliver of bright light cutting into the dark tavern.Heavy footsteps came toward her. She tried not to react as sheslowly tilted her head to the side to see who approached. With theangle of the light from the doorway pouring into the tavern,Allyssa couldn’t see the face of the man who headed directly towardher. She slid her dagger from her sleeve just as a massive handslithered over her shoulder.
“Heard you’re looking forsomeone,” said a gruff voice she didn’t recognize.
Trying to act nonchalant,she shrugged. “Aren’t we all?” She wanted to tear his fingers fromher shoulder.
He removed his hand and saton the stool next to her. “I know a man looking for someone in thistown. Could be you.” He ordered a mug of ale. “Your name’sAllyssa?”
“It is.”
He nodded, grabbing the mugand downing the ale. “I’ll take you to him.”
There was no way to know ifthe man told the truth. However, she had to trust that not only wasevery aspect of this plan figured out, but also that Nathenek wouldprotect her. She reminded herself that she survived Russek. Thedungeon, being tortured, Soma—all of it. So, while the idea ofhaving someone watching over her provided an enormous amount ofcomfort, she knew she was her own greatest protector.
The man rose to his feet.
“Where’s he at?” sheasked.
“Not far from here.” Twoother men stood as well.
“Friends ofyours?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
He wouldn’t want to tossher over his shoulder and haul her out of the tavern for fear he’dattract too much attention. The most logical thing for him to dowould be to get her to willingly go somewhere private where therewould be no witnesses. Swallowing her fear and ignoring everyinstinct that told her to run, she went along with him.
“Stick close by,” the mansaid. “Don’t want you getting lost.”
Outside, he led her three blocks northand then to the east, heading to the outskirts of the town just asshe’d predicted. The two other men from the tavern followed a dozenfeet back. They came to an inn and headed around to the back wherea small vegetable garden was located. No one else was insight.
“Where is he?” sheasked.
“He’ll be here.” The manlooked up at the second story of the inn and made a hand signal toone of the windows.
The thick clouds darkened,hinting at a storm on the horizon. Allyssa shivered, trying to staywarm. The two men who had followed her remained next to the inn,keeping a lookout.
A hefty man dressed in along fur coat came around the other side of the inn, Odar at hisside.
They stopped a few feetaway. Odar’s fingers twitched, and she knew he wanted a weapon. Hethrived on control, relinquishing it was proving to be difficultfor him.
“You’re not Harrow,” theman next to her said. He unsheathed his sword. “What are you doinghere, Sparek?”
“Hand over the girl,Hurit,” Sparek replied.
Blasted. Odar was with aRussek soldier, not one of Kerdan’s men.
