Page 92 of Daughter of the Drowned Empire
I jumped back. Even if he was an unskilled fighter, the blade was sharp. Its starfire core made it deadly. “You’re crossing a line, vendor. You need money? I have gold.” I produced the coin, holding my hand out to him, palm up. “I can pay. Pay more than whoever approached you.”
His eyes lit up as they focused on the coin in my hand. His lips quivered.
“Tell me,” I said, heart pounding. “What do you know about the Emartis? Who requested the pins?”
The vendor turned bright red, and a panicked look crossed his face as he stared at something behind me.
“I’ll pay double what they offered,” I said, praying I had enough. I didn’t know how big or well-funded the Emartis were.
He seemed to consider. That was good. That meant he could be bought. At the very least, he was an opportunist.
“Do we have a deal?” I asked.
“I’ll…I’ll need that first payment.”
“You can have all the payments you want if you tell me what you know.”
He started to nod. A bird screeched behind me, the sound seeming to snap him to attention. He stared past me again, and something changed in his expression. There was a note of finality in his eyes. “I-I can’t. I’m sorry,” he said. “Shekar Arkasva!” He lunged for me, blade tip aimed at my belly.
“Stop!”
Everything seemed to happen in slow-motion. The silver blade rushing toward me. My feet stumbling back. The wild, scared, and violent look in the vendor’s eyes. The broad starfire sword gleaming with flames as it pierced through his belly.
His mouth fell open, blood dripping down his chin. A sandaled foot kicked at his groin, and the vendor slid backwards off the blade that had impaled him. His body hit the ground, his arms landing at an awkward angle. His eyes were wide open as he lay beneath the trees, blood seeping into the black earth beneath him. Beside him, his starfire blade lay, useless.
I whirled and found myself face to face with Markan.
“What did you do?” I snarled. I’d had him! I’d had him in the palm of my hand! I’d had a source, someone close to the Emartis. He’d only changed his mind when he’d thought he’d been caught—when Markan had appeared. He’d been terrified and alone. He’d clearly needed money for something or was being blackmailed. I ran my fingers through my hair, breathing in and out through my mouth. Fuck!
“I saved your life, your grace,” Markan said with a grunt. He swiped the dead man’s dagger and pocketed it in his belt. “Nice piece.” Then with a shrug, he approached a nearby stream, dipping his blade in the waters. The fires went out, and the sky darkened. Red blood swirled through the water and dissolved. “What is this? Now you’re a soturion, you’re actively attempting to put your life in danger? Like I don’t have enough to do.” He sneered. “Get back to your party. Your other escort will take you.”
I hugged Haleika’s cloak tighter around myself. My body was going cold. Markan had just killed a man. Right in front of me. The water from the stream made light tinkling sounds. The sky was darkening rapidly, the clouds turning indigo, and the scent of pine was everywhere, mixing for me with a light and floral scent coming from Haleika’s cloak. And at my feet, a man lay dead.
I exhaled sharply. “What other escort?” I asked.
Markan dried his blade with his cloak and jerked his chin behind me. I turned and found one of Tristan’s mages. He was a tall, spindly man, the one who usually went after me when I wandered off or walked me to my door after I said goodbye to Tristan. I’d never really paid attention to him before. He’d been the one to clear the path for me when I went after Rhyan in the streets.
Markan rolled his eyes. “Did you really think your father was letting you sneak off on your own? Or that you were that clever? And you!” Markan turned his wrath on the escort. “Thought you were on top of it. I’d have killed him sooner.”
The mage pursed his lips. “I’ve been by her side the entire time. I do not have the same license to kill for her grace as you do.”
“So that wasn’t just mage weakness?”
“I perceived no true threat in his aura until you showed yourself.”
Markan’s eyes narrowed. “You’re saying it’s my fault he pulled a knife on her grace? Can you escort the lady back to her little dinner party without incident while I clean this mess, or do you not have license for that either?”
“We’re going,” I said. I wanted to get away from the body. Away from this place. Away from Markan. I strode forward past the mage and cursed.
“I’m sorry, your grace,” the mage spoke quietly. “I should have acted sooner. This was not something for you to see.”
I closed my eyes. I’d seen worse. I’d watched Jules being ripped away before my eyes while everyone sat still and did nothing. Though this…this was close. Tears burned my eyes, and I blinked them back, attempting to compose myself. I had my own clean up to do now.
“Tristan ordered you to follow me?” I asked. “Or did the order come from my own guard?”
“An agreement was made on both ends. My lord is fully aware of my watching over you. He encourages it.”
My hands balled into fists at my sides. I felt so stupid. And betrayed. It was one thing when I saw his escorts…but to know they were following me in secret? I knew to look for soturi—I hadn’t thought to keep my eye out for Ka Grey mages.
