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They want to send an assassin; I can't be sure whether they want to capture or kill her on the spot. I stare at the table and think of the nobles I’ve met. They have everything, glorious chambers, women lining up at their doors, riches far more than I can imagine.
I think of the numerous times I have tried to prove myself to the king and his dismissal of my attempts. I remember the mockery I received with each strategy I presented to him. But, as if anticipating my protests, he tosses a coin my way.
I pick up the coin and stare at it. It glimmers in the light, and I grin, holding it up and staring at him. “The noble life?” I ask curiously.
The creature nods. “Riches, women, mansions,” he stares at me fiercely. “Anything you could want. This life,” he motions to the bar again, “doesn’t suit someone of your intelligence, Systorak.”
I chuckle slightly and turn the coin in my hand. I look at the bar and see one of the drunkards fall out of his chair and his comrades laugh at his foolishness.
The creature is right. I’ve been put down and pushed aside for too long. I take the coin in my palm and close my fingers around it, holding my other hand to the creature.
“You’ve got a deal,” I state.
The creature places his claws in my hand, and we shake. “Have her delivered tomorrow,” he requests before leaving my table.
I smile as I turn the coin in my hand, imagining the life awaiting me. I look up and see a woman with black hair and brown eyes. My face falls as I think of how she resembles Lana.
My heart sinks, thinking of her intelligence and desire to learn of the court. I could be making the biggest mistake of my life or taking the one opportunity I have to gain the life I deserve. But could I do it?
NINE
LANA
I roll over and open my eyes in a daze. For the last few nights, I’ve dreamed of home, of my friends at the tavern ordering their usual boring drinks. Each time I come out of the dream, it takes a few seconds for reality to hit me.
I look around the room quickly, hoping to see Systorak sitting in one of the chairs by the fireplace. I lay my head back on the pillow when I see nothing but dead air.
I brush the hair off my forehead and sigh. He’s been gone for three days now, and the only social interaction I’ve had is the guards bringing food to my room.
I glance at the bookshelf and roll my eyes. I might puke if I have to spend another day entertaining myself with demonic history.
I get out of bed and walk to the door, cracking it slightly to reach around and grab whatever clean clothes the guards left for me last night. As I touch the cotton pile, I overhear two guards speaking in whispers down the hall.
“Lord Requelant is planning to attack the count tomorrow,” one informs the other.
“Didn’t they just make a truce?” the other asks.
“The lord played it off perfectly; played a fake truce to catch him off guard.”
I grab my clothes slowly and sit against the wall next to the door, leaving it cracked open slightly. I rub the white cotton tunic and trousers between my fingers as I listen to the latest demonic gossip.
I’ve started to create faces for these demons’ names. I hold my head in my hands as I realize I’m creating imaginary images to entertain me. Demons might be built for solitude, but humans are social creatures. I might lose my mind if I have one more day alone in here.
I hear the tower door slam and push my door closed, climbing back into bed and throwing the covers over me. I listen as loud footsteps approach my door. I turn my head to the side and pretend to be asleep.
My door opens and shuts quickly. I turn my head over and open my eyes to see Systorak standing before me. I smile and jump out of bed.
“Oh!” I exclaim. “You’re here; that’s amazing. I have so much to tell you,” I walk to the bookshelf and rummage for the book I read the other day highlighting trades between clans. “The guards here talksomuch; you wouldn’t believe it.”
I turn, holding the book, to see Systorak staring at me coldly. My arms drop to my sides, and my face falls.
“What’s wrong?” I ask concernedly.
“Nothing. Tell me,” he responds coldly.
“Okay,” I say as I walk to the chair and sit. “Well, Lord Requelant is planning to attack the count. The lord held some sort of fake truce and,” I pause, remembering my image of them. I chuckle and turn to Systorak. “Okay, I have to know. What do they look like?”
He crosses his arms and looks to the side, avoiding eye contact with me. I stop talking and smack my lips lightly.
