He leans forward in his seat, his hazel eyes widening. “What happened to your arm?”
I reach for it and frown, realizing the temporary bandage I threw on has come undone. Fresh blood coats my fingers when I pull them away. Great.
“Ah, nothing to worry about. Just a little consequence of my actions.”
“What in the realms have you gotten yourself into?
I blow out a breath.I guess I’m doing this.“Have you heard rumors of the masked man—the Shadow—running around Elsmont?”
A burst of nervous laughter leaves Alex and he stares up at the ceiling. “Shit, that’s you?”
Gods, I hope telling him wasn’t a mistake.I reach for the bottle, pouring myself another glass.
Alex drags a hand over his face before sitting up and glaring at me. “How could you be so damned reckless? And why in the hells did you wait this long to tell me about it?”
I clench my jaw, my hand squeezing into a fist at my side. “I didn’t dare put your life at risk for my vendetta. You know your life would be forfeit if I ever got caught and you were implicated. You don’t have the privilege of my station to protect you.”
Alex grimaces and picks up his glass again. “You’re not wrong. But what makes you thinkyou’dbe safe? You’re only the spare, after all.”
“Don’t remind me. My father has complained of my uselessness plenty of times, but I don’t think he’d ever actually harm me . . . at least I hope he wouldn’t.”
“Your father and all the lords have been losing their minds about the Shadow’s thievery,” Alex says, shaking his head.
I can’t stop my grin. “As they should.” As scary as it is, I have to admit it feels good to let someone in, to share this burden.
“I still can’t believe it.” Alex takes a sip of his drink before setting it on the table and getting up to pace. “I’ve also heard tales of this ‘Shadow’ doling out punishments to the usually untouchable lords. Why would you take such a risk, Ki? You’re practically enemy number one in the kingdom of Rakveren.”
“Something had to change. There are so many people in need, and my father has done nothing to help. He’s happy to just sit on his throne and watch people starve. The majority of his lords are no better. I’m only taking the excess he has no need of . . . and trying to ‘encourage’ the lords to take better care of their people.”
“What about the innocent people you’ve attacked during these thefts?”
A pang of guilt makes my stomach queasy when I’m once again reminded of Mateo, but I try to brush it off. “Most of Father’s guards are far from innocent. As far as everyone else,it’s only ever been a little bump to the head or a minor stab wound . . . nothing that can’t easily be taken care of by one of the healers. I’ve never meant to kill anyone . . .”
Alex laughs again. “What a vigilante you are.”
“I try,” I say dryly, glad he’s not prying further.
“How can I help?” he asks.
I raise a brow. The absolute last thing I want is to drag him into this. I work alone. It’s safer that way. “Well, technically, you keeping your mouth shut and letting people think I’m with you is a help.”
Alex groans. “That’s not what I mean, Ki.”
I wave a hand at him. “Yeah, yeah, I know, but I’m worried what my father would do to you if he suspected your involvement. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
“Typical Kian,” Alex mutters, leaning against the wall. “Have to do everything yourself.”
“Alex—”
“Don’t you trust me?” he blurts out.
Of course I trust him . . . but I will not be responsible for his death. “It’s not that simple.”
“It absolutely is. We simply do not get caught.”
“I wish I had your optimism.” I scoff.
“I’ll be optimistic for the both of us then.”
