“Should I let you wake up with a roaring headache, or do you want to die tonight?” I ask, lowering my voice to a growl. He doesn’t need to know I’ll do everything I can to avoid the latter, but I have a reputation to uphold.
When he refuses to answer, merely glowering at me in the moonlight, I scoff. “All talk and nothing to back it up, eh?” I slam the hilt of my sword into his temple, and he crumples to the ground.
All in an evening’s work. Now the fun part.
“It’s him, I tell you,” one of the drivers says excitedly. “It’s the Shadow!”
I make my way toward the front of the wagons, my sword casually in hand. “Gentlemen, would you like to fight me before giving up your goods or just hand them over?”
“We don’t want any trouble,” one driver says, “but we can’t just give them up. We have families to think of. If we just let you take them, the king will punish us at best . . .”
My face splits into a grin, but I continue, “Here’s my offer. Help me load up the biggest wagon with as much variety as it can hold before I tie you up with the king’s imbeciles, who don’t have to know you helped me, or?—”
“We’ll take the offer,” the drivers say in unison. Throwing nervous glances my way, they hop down and get to work. We move quickly and quietly, transferring as many supplies as we can into the lead wagon. My job is significantly easier when the drivers cooperate. Especially when they help me drag the heavy guards and tie them to a large tree. I instruct them to muss their clothes and appearances to give the impression they put up somewhat of a fight.
After I tighten the rope around the last driver, my heart warms when he whispers, “Thank you, Shadow. We won’t forget what you’ve done. May the gods bless you.”
I tip my head at them, slice through the invisible wire, and hop into the loaded wagon. A shrill whistle calls Phantom, and he obediently trots behind as we take off toward the outskirts of the city of Elsmont.
There is something incredibly gratifying about stealing right from under my father’s nose. But enjoyment aside, I will do whatever it takes to make sure my people are cared for, even if it means beating the hells out of some of the guards. Most of them are selfish assholes, only out for themselves. I have caught more than one lining their own pockets and bellies with the excess at the palace.
As the Shadow, I try to right wrongs, but I’ve made mistakes. My mind flashes back to Mateo, the guard who drowned because of my miscalculation. He was one of the few decent men working for my father, and I carry the guilt with me every time I go out . . . every time I see the pain in his widow’s eyes or his smile lighting up the face of his child. Ever since that night, I do my best not to kill unless they leave me no choice . . . but there’s almost always a choice.
Once I leave the wagon at one of my random drop points, I hop back onto Phantom and start toward my next stop. All my research has led me to one name. Cary Astoria. The laughable part is, I’m not completely surewhatI’m looking for other than information, and with Lady Raelyn catching me last night, I was unable to complete my search.
Gods, I hope she didn’t recognize me. If she did, I’m in deep, deep shit. The absolute last thing I need is for Cary to have something to hold over me. His finances are in shambles, and I know he’s looking for a way out. It appears said way out is marrying Lady Carlisle, if the marriage agreement I saw is any indication. She’s a power-hungry widow, clearly unaware of the Astorias’ financial status, and I shudder at the thought of her digging her claws into that family, especially the green-eyed beauty I had on her back.
Lady Raelyn. I grin thinking of the soft feel of her curves beneath me. Will I be so lucky to see her again tonight? No. Ishouldn’t tempt fate. I have a mission to accomplish, and she would only get in the way again.
Chapter Five
KIAN
Alight flares as I walk into my bedroom, causing me to draw a blade.
“Where have you been, Ki?” Alex drawls from where he’s seated in the corner, one leg propped up on the other, a tumbler of golden liquor in hand.
“Gods, Alex. What are you doing sitting here in the dark? You nearly stopped my heart.” I re-sheathe my blade.
A dry chuckle comes out of him. “How else am I supposed to find out what you’ve been up to? You’ve been shutting me out for months.” He eyes me suspiciously. “Nice outfit.”
“This old thing? I was just out for a midnight stroll and didn’t want to be bothered.”
“I wouldn’t believe you if Luna came down and told me herself. What aren’t you telling me?”
I sigh and sink into the chair next to his. Every part of me wants to keep this to myself. Trust doesn’t come easy to me.
“I’m sorry, Alex. I just don’t want you to get mixed up in my shit.” I grab the bottle of liquor off the small table between our chairs and pour a generous portion.
“That, or you expect me to keep covering for you without knowing what’s going on. It feels like you’re just using me, Ki. You’re hardly around anymore, but I keep hearing stories about us partying together.” He raises a brow. “What parties are they speaking of? I surely have no clue. Strange, considering I’ve supposedly attended them.”
I palm my face and lean back in my chair. “I’m sorry. I’m the absolute worst. Can you forgive me?”
“Forgive you for what, exactly? For sneaking around and not telling me about it? Or for using me as your alibi without informing me in advance?”
I throw back the glass, enjoying the burn of the alcohol as it slides down my throat. “Both, Alex. Both.”
It’s clear from his expression that he’s not going to let it go this time, nor can I ignore the hurt in his voice. Alex can be like a dog with a bone when he wants to be; perhaps it’s time to come clean.
